Recent developments in lightening test standards for aircraft and avionics

There is a general movement towards synchronisation of the many diverse standards applicable to avionics and aircraft testing in both the civilian and military fields. Foremost of these and widely accepted as an 'international' standard is the new edition of RTCA/DO160D. The latest additions are embodied in change No. 3 from December 2002. This paper provides an overview of the new standard focusing on the lightening test part and differentiates between special requirements, outlining the impact on test equipment and test load and the authors experience in carrying out these tests.