ARP 4754 DAL D Compliance Path Online Training (AV-CERT-150)

Course overview

AV-CERT-150 is a combined DO-178C and DO-254 course that shows how to leverage the two avionics standards for a smoother path to achieving Design Assurance Level D (DAL-D) compliance for an equipment. It explains the common practices between software and hardware, from process planning setup down to verification. A basic understanding of both DO-178C and DO-254 is required to take this course.

On completion, attendees will have a clear understanding of the expectations and key steps to correctly apply DAL-D objectives, and how to leverage the true meaning of the DO-178C and DO-254 objectives to their advantage.

What you will learn

• DAL-D objectives and regulations from systems and safety perspectives
• Required process plans for DAL-D covering DO-178C and DO-254
• Combining process plans
• Using DO-254 objectives to cover DAL-D objectives
• Using DO-178C objectives to cover DAL-D objectives
• Verification and validation activities under DAL-D

Who should take this course

Software and hardware engineers and certification leads pursuing an efficient DAL-D compliance path across combined DO-178C and DO-254 programs.

Recommended prerequisites: SW-CERT-101 — DO-178C Overview & PSAC Explanation, HW-CERT-101 — DO-254 Overview & PHAC Explanation

Course outline

1. What DAL-D requires — the failure conditions that lead to Level D and the regulatory expectations that follow.
2. The DAL-D objective set — which DO-178C and DO-254 objectives apply, and which independence requirements fall away at Level D.
3. Combining the plans — running software and hardware planning together to avoid duplicated effort.
4. Covering objectives across standards — using DO-254 and DO-178C activities to satisfy shared DAL-D goals.
5. Verification at DAL-D — a proportionate verification and validation approach.

Where DO-178C and DO-254 overlap at DAL-D

Design Assurance Level D is the level assigned to functions whose failure produces only a minor effect, and its objective set is correspondingly lighter — many objectives that require independence at higher levels do not at Level D. The opportunity, and the point of this course, is that software and hardware programs at DAL-D share a great deal: planning structure, configuration management, problem reporting and large parts of the verification approach. Teams that treat the DO-178C and DO-254 efforts as one coordinated program rather than two separate ones reach compliance with markedly less effort.

The risk is the opposite error: applying higher-level habits to a DAL-D program and gold-plating evidence the level never required. Knowing precisely which objectives apply — and which do not — is what keeps a DAL-D effort proportionate. This course makes that boundary explicit for both standards.

What you will be able to do afterward

After AV-CERT-150 you will be able to identify the DO-178C and DO-254 objectives that apply at DAL-D, combine software and hardware plans, and run a proportionate verification effort that meets Level D without over-engineering.

How this course fits your certification path

AV-CERT-150 assumes a basic grounding from SW-CERT-101 and HW-CERT-101. For written primers, see our DO-178C explained and DO-254 explained guides. Prefer instructor-led? Explore our full ARP 4754 & 4761 training courses.

How on-demand training works

Every ConsuNova module is delivered online and self-paced, so you can learn on your own schedule. Each purchase includes 30-day access with unlimited views and downloads for one user, and a certificate of completion is issued automatically when you finish the module.

Your instructors

This module is authored and delivered by ConsuNova’s senior certification authorities, giving you both FAA and EASA perspectives on compliance:

Reza Madjidi FAA DER Consultant

Provides FAA Designated Engineering Representative expertise on U.S. avionics certification.

Martin Beeby EASA CVE Authorized

Brings EASA Certification Verification Engineer authority on European avionics compliance.

Frequently asked questions