SAE AIR6218-2018 PDF

Full title and description

SAE AIR 6218:2018 — Constructing Development Assurance Plan for Integrated Systems. This Aerospace Information Report (AIR) provides guidance and a collection of lessons learned to help programs construct development assurance plans for integrated aircraft systems; it supplements the development-planning material in ARP4754A.

Abstract

This AIR identifies crucial elements to consider when creating the development assurance plans described in Chapter 3 (Development Planning) of ARP4754A. It presents lessons learned from past certification programs involving integrated systems and clarifies planning, verification, and programmatic activities that support showing compliance and managing risk. The report is explicitly not guidance on system integration technologies.

General information

• Status: Reaffirmed / Current.
• Publication date: Reaffirmed October 22, 2018 (original issue September 2012 noted in record).
• Publisher: SAE International.
• ICS / categories: 49.020 — Aircraft and space vehicles in general.
• Edition / version: AIR6218, reaffirmed 2018 (information report edition corresponding to the AIR designation).
• Number of pages: 10 pages.

Scope

The document supplements ARP4754A by identifying the important elements that should be considered when constructing development assurance plans for integrated systems (as described in ARP4754A, Chapter 3). It collects lessons learned from previous certification programs to inform planning, verification strategy, risk management, configuration and change control, and coordination with certification authorities. It is intended for program-level planning and does not provide specific technical integration methods.

Key topics and requirements

• Development assurance planning elements aligned with ARP4754A (development planning, allocation of assurance activities).
• Programmatic lessons learned from integrated-system certification efforts.
• Guidance on verification strategy, traceability, and evidence collection to support certification.
• Risk management, configuration management, and activities to reduce likelihood of development errors.
• Coordination with regulatory/certification authorities and demonstration of compliance at system and aircraft level.
• Clarification that the AIR addresses planning and assurance, not technology-specific integration methods.

Typical use and users

Used by systems and safety engineers, development-assurance planners, project/program managers, certification and compliance teams, and regulatory liaisons on aircraft development programs. It is most relevant to teams executing integrated-system programs where system interactions, complexity, or novel architectures require robust planning and evidence for certification. Regulators and certification authorities may reference the AIR when reviewing development-assurance approaches.

Related standards

Commonly used together with ARP4754A (Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems) and ARP4761 (safety assessment methods); also associated with avionics and design-assurance standards such as DO-178C (software), DO-254 (complex electronic hardware), and other S-18 AIR publications (for example AIR7209 and related AIRs covering development-assurance principles and system safety topics).

Keywords

development assurance, integrated systems, ARP4754A, certification planning, system verification, lessons learned, risk management, avionics assurance, safety assessment, configuration management.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SAE AIR 6218 is an Aerospace Information Report titled "Constructing Development Assurance Plan for Integrated Systems" that provides guidance and lessons learned for creating development assurance plans for integrated aircraft systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the essential elements of development assurance planning referenced in ARP4754A Chapter 3, including program-level planning, verification strategy, evidence collection, configuration and change control, and interaction with certification authorities. It does not provide technology-specific system integration guidance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Systems engineers, safety and assurance engineers, program managers, certification teams, and regulators involved in aircraft or complex system development programs use this AIR to inform planning and demonstrate development assurance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was reaffirmed on October 22, 2018 (originally issued in 2012) and is recorded as current/reaffirmed in SAE's listings; it is not listed as superseded. Users should check SAE records for any later revisions or related AIRs when preparing certification materials.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is an AIR within SAE's S‑18 committee publications and complements ARP4754A/ARP4761 and other AIRs addressing system development, safety assessment, and assurance topics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Development assurance, integrated systems, ARP4754A, verification strategy, certification planning, lessons learned, risk management, avionics assurance.