Application of enhanced methods for safety assessment of FADEC

Abstract

The paper deals with safety and reliability assessment as an integral part of the development process for modern aviation products with potentially critical functions. Focus is on digital engine control units, their development process and tools offering potential savings in otherwise time demanding and expensive safety assessment processes. The paper shows application of several approaches, which together form an innovative way for safety assessment of aerospace products (otherwise strictly limited by regulation procedures). It is focused on practical ways towards reduction of development costs during safety assessment, which do not compromise its comprehensiveness. Described approaches are based on experience from development of numerous aerospace products in last nearly 20 years. As an addition, possibility to further enhance the proposed innovative effect classification by application of FMECA was shown. Possible methods for quantitative assessment using Fuzzy logic and/or multiple-criteria decision analysis were discussed.