ARINC REPORT 667-3-2022 PDF

Full title and description

ARINC Report 667-3:2022 — Guidance for the Management of Field Loadable Software. This report provides recommended practices and processes for the controlled creation, receipt, storage, distribution and tracking of field-loadable software (FLS) and related media used in commercial and transport-category avionics systems.

Abstract

ARINC 667-3:2022 updates ARINC guidance on Field Loadable Software management to help airlines, avionics suppliers and maintainers implement robust procedures for software acquisition, validation, packaging (media sets and loadable software parts), distribution, installation and recordkeeping. The guidance aligns FLS lifecycle practices with regulator expectations and industry data-loading conventions.

General information

• Status: Current.
• Publication date: November 2022 (edition issued 2022-11 / 01-Nov-2022).
• Publisher: Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC).
• ICS / categories: 49.090 — On-board equipment and instruments; related to avionics data-loading and software management.
• Edition / version: Report 667, Part 3 (667-3), edition 2022 — replaces ARINC Report 667-2:2017.
• Number of pages: 130.

Scope

This report gives practical, actionable guidance for managing Field Loadable Software (FLS) across its lifecycle: supplier and part-number management, creation of Loadable Software Parts (LSP) and Media Sets (MSP), verification and integrity checks, secure transport and storage, approved distribution methods, on-aircraft installation and post-installation records. It is intended to be used by airlines, OEMs, MROs and software suppliers to reduce risk and ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of FLS types (OFPs, databases, PMI, configuration data).
• Part-numbering, versioning and configuration-management practices for LSPs and Media Sets.
• Media and transport best practices (mass storage media handling, labeling, checksums/CRC, integrity verification).
• Procedures for receiving, validating and accepting supplier-delivered software.
• Secure distribution, chain-of-custody, and recordkeeping for installed software.
• Guidance for loadable media set construction consistent with ARINC load formats and loader interfaces.
• Recommendations for compatibility with regulator guidance (FAA/EASA) and other ARINC data-loading standards.

Typical use and users

Primary users are airline engineering and fleet IT teams, avionics OEMs and suppliers, MRO providers, and avionics tool and data-loader vendors who need to develop, distribute or maintain FLS. Regulators, certification teams and safety/audit personnel also use this guidance when assessing processes for software change control and airworthiness compliance.

Related standards

Closely related ARINC standards and reports include the prior ARINC Report 667-2:2017 (now superseded by 667-3:2022), ARINC 665 (loadable software parts and media set formats), ARINC 615 / 615A (data loader protocols), and ARINC 844 guidance for target hardware and data-loader considerations. These documents together define the file, media and loader interfaces and recommended practices referenced by ARINC 667-3.

Keywords

Field Loadable Software (FLS), Loadable Software Part (LSP), Media Set (MSP), ARINC 667, software distribution, part numbering, configuration management, ARINC 665, ARINC 615, data loader, avionics maintenance, airline software management.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ARINC Report 667-3:2022 is an industry guidance report that defines recommended processes and controls for managing field-loadable avionics software and its transport media throughout acquisition, distribution and installation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the lifecycle of field-loadable software: classification, part-numbering, media and file formats, integrity verification, supplier delivery, receipt/acceptance, distribution, installation procedures, and recordkeeping to maintain traceability and compliance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Airlines, avionics OEMs and suppliers, maintenance and logistics organizations, data-loader and tool vendors, and certification/regulatory teams use it to establish and audit FLS management processes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ARINC 667-3:2022 is the current edition (published November 2022) and supersedes ARINC Report 667-2:2017.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ARINC 667 is part of ARINC’s 600-series/600-family activity addressing avionics interfaces and loadable software management; the “-3” denotes the part/edition of the 667 report family (this document replaces the earlier 667-2 edition).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Field Loadable Software, Loadable Software Part, Media Set, ARINC 665, ARINC 615/615A, part number, configuration management, software distribution, avionics data loading.