DO-178C Aeronautical Software Certification Course Applied to UAS
Online 300-hour course in DO-178C aeronautical software certification applied to UAS. 6 modules covering DO-178C / ED-12C (software in airborne systems), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems) and MATLAB/Simulink. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the airworthiness framework applicable to UAS.
Assign development assurance levels based on safety analysis.
Apply the DO-178C life cycle to the flight software of a drone.
Verify software through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Relate the SORA assessment to software integrity requirements.
Analyse the certification challenges of autonomous functions and machine learning.
Prepare a software certification plan for a UAS.
Who it's for
- Flight software engineer for UAS who wants to specialise in DO-178C aeronautical software certification applied to UAS.
- Drone certification specialist who wants to specialise in DO-178C aeronautical software certification applied to UAS.
- Autopilot verification engineer who wants to specialise in DO-178C aeronautical software certification applied to UAS.
- Safety analyst for unmanned systems who wants to specialise in DO-178C aeronautical software certification applied to UAS.
- UAS airworthiness manager who wants to specialise in DO-178C aeronautical software certification applied to UAS.
- Autonomy and machine learning engineer who wants to specialise in DO-178C aeronautical software certification applied to UAS.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the drone industry.
What you'll work with
- DO-178C / ED-12C (software in airborne systems)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems)
- JARUS SORA (operational risk assessment)
- ARP4754A (systems development)
- ARP4761 (safety assessment)
- STANAG 4671 (UAV airworthiness)
- EASA Special Condition Light-UAS
6 modules · 300 h
1.1EASA open, specific and certified categories1.2Regulations (EU) 2019/945 and 2019/9471.3SORA methodology and SAIL levels1.4STANAG 4671 and 4703 for military UAS1.5Critical functions in UAS software1.6Flight control, navigation and C2 link1.7Differences from manned aviation1.8Proportionate application of DO-178C1.9Military airworthiness authorities1.10Practical case: SORA analysis of an operation
2.1Functional risk analysis of the UAS2.2Loss of link and fly-away as failure conditions2.3Geo-awareness and operation containment2.4DAL assignment to autopilot functions2.5Redundant and dissimilar architectures2.6Ground control station software2.7Relationship with ARP4754A2.8Criticality of detect and avoid functions2.9Flight termination systems2.10Workshop: fault tree of loss of link
3.1Control law requirements3.2Model-based design with Simulink3.3Automatic code generation and DO-3313.4Real-time operating systems and ARINC 6533.5Temporal and spatial partitioning3.6PX4 and ArduPilot: limits for certification3.7Memory management and determinism3.8Static code analysis3.9Configuration management across fleets3.10Practice: modelling a certifiable control loop
4.1Software-in-the-loop testing4.2Hardware-in-the-loop with flight simulators4.3Structural coverage of the autopilot4.4Robustness against anomalous sensor inputs4.5Worst-case execution time analysis4.6Testing with degraded C2 link4.7Flight tests as verification evidence4.8Formal verification of safety properties4.9Qualification of simulators under DO-3304.10Laboratory: HIL bench for an autopilot
5.1Certification challenges for AI functions5.2EASA guidance on machine learning5.3Quality assurance of training data5.4Explainability and verifiability of models5.5Runtime monitors5.6Safety envelope architectures5.7In-service software updates5.8Cybersecurity under DO-326A and ED-202A5.9Continued airworthiness5.10Practical case: certification of an obstacle detector
6.1Concept of operations and applicable category6.2Safety assessment and SAIL level6.3Flight software architecture6.4Software aspects plan for certification6.5Requirements and traceability6.6Verification plan with SIL and HIL6.7Aeronautical cybersecurity measures6.8Evidence package6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, PX4 Autopilot, LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST, IBM DOORS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real hardware-in-the-loop simulation procedures, code coverage analysis and SORA assessment of an operation. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the airworthiness framework applicable to UAS.
Assign development assurance levels based on safety analysis.
Apply the DO-178C life cycle to the flight software of a drone.
Verify software through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Relate the SORA assessment to software integrity requirements.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish level to follow technical regulatory reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with MATLAB/Simulink, PX4 Autopilot, LDRA Testbed, VectorCAST, IBM DOORS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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