SAE International has published a technical standard that provides detailed information, guidance, and methods for demonstrating electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) on civil aircraft.

ARP60493: “Guide to Civil Aircraft Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)” is a comprehensive guide for demonstrating that electrical and electronic systems installed on civil aircraft can operate without mutual electromagnetic interference.  It describes civil aircraft regulations and guidance that should be applied for aircraft electromagnetic compatibility compliance; processes for ensuring effective civil aircraft electromagnetic compatibility; approaches for aircraft electrical and electronic equipment qualification tests; and aircraft electromagnetic compatibility tests and analysis.  This wide-ranging document is specifically oriented to civil aircraft electromagnetic compatibility demonstration, and can be applied to small airplanes, large transport airplanes, and helicopters. 

“ARP60493 is the first document to comprehensively address electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) demonstrations on aircraft.  It will become the standard by which all EMC compliance demonstrations shall be compared to throughout the Aviation Industry in both the USA and Europe,” Mike Reilly, co-chair of the SAE International AE4 Electromagnetic Compatibility committee, said. “What this means for the average air traveler is less chance of interference between the various aircraft systems, which means a safer flight.”

This guide does not address aircraft compatibility with the internal electromagnetic environments of portable electronic devices (PED) or with the external electromagnetic environments, such as high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF), lightning, and precipitation static.

To learn more about or to purchase this document, visit https://www.sae.org/standards/content/arp60493/.

ARP60493: “Guide to Civil Aircraft Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)” was developed by the SAE AE4 Electromagnetic Compatibility committee, working jointly with EUOCAE. This document is harmonized with EUROCAE report ED-248. More than 50 working group members from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, and teh U.S. contributed to this ARP. 

Credentialed members of the media may request a review copy of ARP60493 by emailing pr@sae.org or calling 724-772-8522.

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