ARINC CHARACTERISTIC 738-3-2001 PDF

Full title and description

St ARINC CHARACTERISTIC 738-3-2001 — "Air Data and Inertial Reference System (ADIRS), Release 3". This characteristic defines the requirements, interfaces and operational capabilities for an integrated digital Air Data and Inertial Reference System intended for installation on subsonic commercial transport aircraft; the ADIRS is described as an integrated set of Air Data/Inertial Reference Units (ADIRUs), Control and Display Unit(s) and remotely mounted Air Data Modules.

Abstract

ARINC 738-3 (2001) specifies the functional and performance characteristics of an integrated ADIRS that provides air data (airspeed, altitude, static/dynamic pressures) and inertial/directional reference information for flight guidance and cockpit display use. It addresses system architecture, data interfaces, accuracy and availability requirements, and the elements required to ensure interchangeability and airline operational suitability.

General information

• Status: Active / Current (Release 3 is the current edition published in 2001).
• Publication date: July 31, 2001 (Release 3).
• Publisher: Issuing committee: Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) / ARINC. Distribution and sales through SAE-related document channels.
• ICS / categories: Avionics; Aircraft systems and instrumentation; Flight data and navigation systems.
• Edition / version: Release 3 (738-3).
• Number of pages: Approximately 116 pages (typical published PDF/page count).

Scope

This characteristic sets forth the design guidance, required capabilities and interchangeability criteria for an integrated Air Data and Inertial Reference System (ADIRS) for subsonic transport aircraft. It covers system composition (ADIRUs, CDUs, ADMs), performance and accuracy requirements, expected environmental and installation constraints, fault detection/monitoring behaviors and test/verification requirements necessary to support airline operations and cockpit displays. The document is intended to guide manufacturers and integrators in achieving compatible, certifiable ADIRS implementations.

Key topics and requirements

• Functional description of ADIRS components (ADIRU, Control & Display Unit, Air Data Modules).
• Performance and accuracy requirements for air data (airspeed, altitude, static/dynamic pressure) and inertial/directional references.
• Data-interface and message definitions for system integration and cockpit displays.
• Availability, redundancy and failure-mode requirements to meet airline operational safety and dispatch needs.
• Environmental, EMI/EMC and installation constraints for airborne equipment.
• Test, verification and interchangeability criteria to support fleet commonality and maintenance.

Typical use and users

Primary users are avionics manufacturers, aircraft integrators, airline engineering and certification teams, and test/validation organizations. The characteristic is used to design and verify ADIRS equipment, to define installation and interface requirements on transport aircraft, and to ensure compatibility between suppliers and airline fleets.

Related standards

ARINC 738-3 is commonly used alongside other avionics standards such as ARINC 429 (data bus/interface standards), ARINC 661 (cockpit display interfaces), and standards for flight data and recorders (for example ARINC 717/747 family) as part of a complete avionics integration specification. Implementers frequently cross-reference ARINC family characteristics and applicable certification guidance.

Keywords

ADIRS, ADIRU, air data, inertial reference, ARINC 738-3, avionics, aircraft instrumentation, avionics interfaces, redundancy, flight guidance, cockpit display, AEEC.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ARINC 738-3 (Release 3, 2001) is an ARINC characteristic that specifies the functional, performance and interface requirements for an integrated Air Data and Inertial Reference System (ADIRS) for subsonic transport aircraft.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers system architecture and components (ADIRUs, control/display units, air data modules), data interfaces, accuracy and performance requirements, redundancy and failure handling, environmental/installation requirements, and test and verification provisions to ensure interchangeability and airline suitability.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Avionics equipment manufacturers, aircraft integrators, airline engineering and certification teams, suppliers of flight instrumentation, and test laboratories use ARINC 738-3 when developing, integrating or certifying ADIRS equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Release 3 of ARINC 738 (738-3), published in 2001, is listed as the current/active edition in major standards catalogues and distributors. Users should check the official ARINC/AEEC or authorized standards distributors for any later supplements or revisions before procurement or certification work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ARINC characteristics are published as a family; this item is the 738 series (738-1/738-2/738-3 reflect earlier or revised releases). ARINC characteristics are typically referenced together with other ARINC avionics standards when defining aircraft system interfaces.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ADIRS, ADIRU, air data, inertial reference, avionics interfaces, redundancy, flight instrumentation, ARINC 738-3, AEEC.