RTCA DO-267A-2004 PDF

Full title and description

Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) for Flight Information Services—Broadcast (FIS‑B) Data Link. This RTCA document (DO‑267A, Rev. A) defines system-level performance objectives, architecture, service elements and message encoding guidance for broadcast flight‑information services intended to provide pilots with non‑control, advisory aeronautical and meteorological information via any appropriate broadcast medium.

Abstract

DO‑267A (Rev. A) specifies the Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards that enable interoperable Flight Information Services‑Broadcast (FIS‑B). The MASPS define the FIS‑B network organization (physical layer, ISO‑based Data Link Services layer, network layer, FIS‑B Application Service Element and FIS‑B Application), product registry concepts and product encoding approaches to ensure timely, consistent delivery of weather, aeronautical and other advisory data to appropriately equipped aircraft. The revision removed legacy binary test data sets and established mechanisms (a public FIS‑B Product Registry) to coordinate and publish new product encodings.

General information

• Status: Active — Revision A of DO‑267 (most recent MASPS revision published by RTCA at time of this edition).
• Publication date: 29 April 2004.
• Publisher: RTCA, Inc. (Washington, D.C.).
• ICS / categories: 49.060 (Aerospace electrical equipment and systems — avionics); related telecommunications/data‑link categories (telecommunications/data networks).
• Edition / version: Revision A (DO‑267A).
• Number of pages: Approximately 147 pages (document length reported in standards catalogues).

Scope

DO‑267A defines the MASPS for Flight Information Services—Broadcast (FIS‑B). It specifies the performance and interoperability requirements for ground and airborne FIS processing systems and for the broadcast protocol and product encodings that support delivery of non‑controller advisory information (e.g., weather, NOTAMs, aerodrome alerts, SIGMETs, turbulence, volcanic ash and other operationally relevant products) to cockpit displays via any broadcast medium (including UAT, VHF or satellite links). The MASPS addresses system architecture, message structure, product registry concepts and service behaviors required to support predictable, timely dissemination and display of FIS products.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of FIS‑B system organization (physical layer through application layer) and functional elements.
• Performance objectives for timely and reliable broadcast delivery of advisory products to airborne users.
• Product encoding principles and the establishment of a public FIS‑B Product Registry to coordinate AU‑specific payload encodings.
• Guidance for interoperability between ground service providers and airborne display/processing systems (message handling, update rates, priority and product life cycle).
• Removal of legacy binary test data sets and direction for implementers to use registry‑managed encodings and test approaches.
• Relationship and mapping guidance for FIS‑B MASPS to specific physical link MOPS (for example, UAT or other broadcast media) and later equipment MOPS.

Typical use and users

Primary users include avionics system architects, airborne equipment manufacturers, airborne display/system integrators, ground FIS service providers, certification authorities and engineering teams developing or certifying FIS‑B capable equipment and services. Regulatory and approval bodies reference DO‑267A when establishing certification requirements or ETSO/TSO applicability for FIS‑B equipment. System integrators use the MASPS as the system‑level specification that equipment MOPS and operational procedures must meet or reference.

Related standards

DO‑267A is part of the RTCA family of MASPS/MOPS related to surveillance, data link and cockpit display services. Notable related documents include the original DO‑267 (historical version), DO‑358 (MOPS for FIS‑B with UAT equipment), DO‑282B (UAT ADS‑B MOPS), DO‑242A and DO‑260 series (ADS‑B related documents), DO‑286 (TIS‑B MASPS/MOPS) and other RTCA/Eurocae items addressing product encodings, application protocols and equipment MOPS. Certification and ETSO/TSO material often cross‑reference DO‑267A for system‑level requirements.

Keywords

FIS‑B, Flight Information Services — Broadcast, MASPS, RTCA DO‑267A, data link, product registry, FIS product encoding, UAT, airborne display, avionics interoperability, broadcast protocol.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: DO‑267A is the RTCA Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) document that defines system‑level performance, architecture and product encoding guidance for Flight Information Services—Broadcast (FIS‑B) data link.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the end‑to‑end MASPS for FIS‑B: the FIS‑B network and application layers, performance objectives for delivery and timeliness, product encoding guidance and the FIS‑B Product Registry concept to support interoperable broadcast of weather and other advisory products to aircraft.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Avionics manufacturers, airborne display and system integrators, ground FIS service providers, certification authorities and organizations creating equipment MOPS or operational approvals for FIS‑B capability.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: DO‑267A is the Revision A (April 29, 2004) of DO‑267 and remains the MASPS for FIS‑B at that revision. Equipment‑level MOPS published later (for example those addressing UAT implementations) and subsequent RTCA/Eurocae documents complement DO‑267A; implementers should check for newer MOPS (such as DO‑358 series and other more recent DOs) and national certification guidance when seeking current equipment requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — DO‑267A is part of RTCA's DO series of MASPS/MOPS documents addressing surveillance, data link and cockpit display services (e.g., DO‑242A, DO‑260 series, DO‑282B, DO‑286, DO‑358). It is intended to be used alongside equipment MOPS and related RTCA/Eurocae guidance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: FIS‑B, MASPS, RTCA DO‑267A, flight information services, data link, product registry, UAT, avionics interoperability, weather products, NOTAMs.