Use of Onboard Data Loaders

Onboard Data Loaders are designed to load operational flight programs into an airborne computer without removing the computer from the aircraft. The load operation or transfer of data from the media to the computer is defined by Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) Report 615 (1), and is common for all users. The procedural use of the onboard software loader is standardized by the particular airframe manufacturer. This paper addresses the development of design standards (minimum requirements) for the systems that interface with the Onboard Data Loader. In addition, the paper describes a generalized Onboard Data Loading Procedure.