Climatic Chamber Configurator
Discover the Climatic Chamber Configurator
Our guide to choosing the climate chamber best suited to your needs.
RTCA DO-160 is the international standard that defines the environmental conditions and test procedures for aircraft onboard equipment. Recognized by the FAA (United States), EASA (Europe), and aviation authorities worldwide, it is the mandatory reference for the certification of any electronic component intended for installation on aircraft.
In this guide, we analyze the structure of the standard, the climatic testing sections, and how to perform tests in a climatic chamber.
The RTCA DO-160 Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber
For temperature, temperature variation, and humidity tests, we use environmental chambers: from -70°C to +180°C, humidity from 10 to 98% RH, variation up to 5°C/min in heating and 3°C/min in cooling. For faster ramps, up to 15°C/min, we design custom chambers.
Configure the environmental chamber and ask for the price Technical data sheets (PDF)
What is RTCA DO-160
DO-160, whose full title is “Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment,” is published by the RTCA (Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics). The current version is DO-160G, published in 2010 and still in effect.
In Europe, the equivalent standard is theEUROCAE ED-14G, technically identical to the DO-160G.
The standard covers 26 test sections, each dedicated to a category of environmental stress that a piece of equipment may encounter during flight, on the ground, or during transportation.
The 26 Sections of DO-160G
The sections are grouped by type of environmental stress.
Climatic Sections (the most relevant for climatic chambers)
- Section 4 — Temperature and Altitude: The most distinctive test of the DO-160. It combines extreme temperatures with reduced pressure to simulate high-altitude conditions. Categories range from A1 (pressurized cockpit, -15°C/+55°C) to D3 (unpressurized, -55°C/+85°C at 21,300 m altitude).
- Section 5 — Temperature Variation: Thermal shocks with ramps from 2°C/min to 10°C/min and range from -55°C to +85°C
- Section 6 — Humidity: 24-hour cycles with temperature from +30°C to +65°C and humidity up to 95% RH, for 10 consecutive cycles
- Section 14 — Salt Spray : Salt spray corrosion testing for equipment exposed to a marine environment
Mechanical Sections
- Section 7 — Operational Vibration: Specific vibration profiles for helicopters, propeller-driven aircraft, and jets
- Section 8 — Vibration in Crash Safety: Vibration for Safety-Critical Equipment
- Section 9 — Mechanical Shock: Impacts and Decelerations
Electrical and Electromagnetic Sections
- Section 15-22: Magnetic susceptibility, power supply, overvoltages, audio susceptibility, lightning induction, electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC)
- Section 23 — Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
- Section 25 — Effects of Fire: Flame Resistance and Propagation
Other Sections
- Section 10 — Sand and Dust
- Section 11 — Fungal Contamination
- Section 12 — Fluid Contamination: Fuels, Hydraulic Fluids, De-icing
- Section 13 — Rain Resistance
- Section 24 — Ice and Freezing Rain
- Section 26 — Explosive Atmospheres
Section 4: Temperature and Altitude in Detail
Section 4 is the most complex and specific of DO-160. Unlike other standards, it simultaneously combines temperature and reduced pressure to simulate real-world conditions at altitude.
Test Categories
| Category | Environment | Min Temp | Max Temp | Max Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Pressurized, heated cockpit | -15°C | +55°C | 4,600 m |
| A2 | Pressurized cockpit, controlled | -15°C | +70°C | 4,600 m |
| B1 | Partially heated | -30°C | +55°C | 4,600 m |
| B2 | Partially heated | -30°C | +70°C | 4,600 m |
| C1 | Unheated, pressurized | -40°C | +55°C | 4,600 m |
| D1 | Not pressurized | -55°C | +70°C | 15,200 m |
| D2 | Unpressurized, high altitude | -55°C | +70°C | 21,300 m |
| D3 | Unpressurized, extreme | -55°C | +85°C | 21,300 m |
The test is performed in three phases:
- Ground Survival: Tests ground survival at extreme temperatures and altitudes (non-operational)
- Short-Time Operating: Operation for 30 minutes after exposure to extreme cold or heat
- Operational: Continuous operation at operating temperature and altitude
DO-160 vs. MIL-STD-810: The Differences
Both standards cover environmental testing, but with different focuses:
| I wait | DO-160 | MIL-STD-810 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Civil aeronautical equipment | Military equipment (all sectors) |
| Entity | RTCA (civil) | DoD (military) |
| Combined temp./altitude test | Yes (Section 4) | Separated (Methods 500/501/502) |
| Approach | Fixed categories | Tailoring for environmental profile |
| Recognition | FAA, EASA | NATO, DoD |
In practice, many military avionics components must meet both standards.
DO-160 and Drones (UAV)
With the growth of the drone and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) industry, DO-160 is also becoming the reference for the certification of drone avionics systems, especially for those intended to operate in regulated airspace.
Aviation authorities are progressively extending DO-160 requirements to certified category drones, in particular for critical components such as:
- Flight controllers and autopilots
- C2 (Command and Control) communication systems
- Sensors and payloads
- Battery Management System
To learn more about this topic, read our article dedicated to climate tests on drones and UAVs.
Test Chamber Requirements
To perform DO-160 climatic tests, instrumentation must include:
- Temperature range: -55°C to +85°C
- Altitude Control: Ability to reduce pressure down to simulate 21,300 m (per Section 4)
- Humidity Control: Up to 95% RH for Section 6
- Thermal ramps: up to 10°C/min for Section 5
- Programmability: 24h automatic cycles for extended humidity tests
FDM environmental chambers cover a range from -70°C to +180°C with humidity from 10 to 98% RH and vary the temperature up to 5°C/min in heating and 3°C/min in cooling: they are suitable for DO-160 temperature and humidity tests. For faster ramps, up to 15°C/min, and for combined temperature/altitude tests, FDM offers custom solutions with an integrated reduced pressure chamber.
The FDM Solution
For over 70 years, FDM Environment Makers has been a partner to the aerospace and defense for environmental simulation. Our chambers are used by aerospace companies to qualify components according to DO-160G and MIL-STD-810.
Discover FDM Environmental Chambers or contact us for technical advice on DO-160 testing.
Authoritative Sources and External Links
To learn more about the RTCA DO-160 regulation and related aeronautical certifications:
- RTCA Inc. — Publisher of DO-160, the U.S. standard for avionics certification.
- EUROCAE — Publisher of ED-14 (harmonized European version of DO-160), the regulatory equivalent for the EU market.
- FAA Technical Standard Orders (TSO) — FAA equipment approval system that references DO-160 as the test method.
- EASA Certification Specifications (CS-23, CS-25, CS-27, CS-29) — EASA certification specifications for aeroplanes and helicopters that recall ED-14/DO-160.
Frequently Asked Questions about RTCA DO-160
DO-160 and ED-14: Are they equivalent?
Yes. EUROCAE ED-14 is the harmonized European version of RTCA DO-160, with substantially identical technical content. Tests conducted according to DO-160G are accepted by EASA as equivalent to ED-14G and vice versa. This allows avionics equipment manufacturers to certify a product with a single test campaign for the US and European markets.
How long does a full DO-160 test take?
A complete test of all 26 applicable sections typically requires 4-8 weeks of laboratory time, depending on the equipment category and the sections selected. Not all sections apply to every product: a typical avionics box is tested on 12-18 sections (temperature, altitude, vibration, shock, power input, EMC, fluids, salt spray).
Does DO-160 also apply to drones (UAVs)?
Partially. For commercially certified drones (EASA Specific and Certified categories, EU Regulation 2019/947), DO-160 is a reference for the environmental qualification of critical systems. For consumer drones (Open category), it is not required. DO -254 (hardware) and DO-178C (software) are complementary standards for safety-critical UAV systems.
What is the difference between DO-160 and MIL-STD-810?
Both cover environmental testing, but for different purposes: DO-160 is specific to civil commercial avionics (FAA/EASA), with parameters calibrated to civil aircraft mission profiles. MIL-STD-810 is a more general U.S. military standard, applicable to equipment on any platform (land, naval, air) with more severe operational scenarios. In dual-use aerospace (civil + military) environments, both tests are often conducted.
Speak directly with our engineers
Do you need to pass a regulatory test or are you looking for a chamber designed to your test protocol? Tell us your needs: the FDM technical team will respond to you, without intermediaries.
