RTCA

Name

RTCA

Legal name

RTCA, Inc.

Website

https://rtca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues based on organization gross revenue. Membership provides access to standards library, committee participation, training discounts, and member directory access. Multiple tiers from Level 1 (<$1M revenue) to Enterprise (>$10B revenue) with corresponding fees and benefits.
2. Standards Document Sales: Sale of standards documents in electronic and hard copy formats. Members receive free electronic downloads from library of 400+ standards and 60% discount on hard copies. Non-members purchase through Accuris store at list prices.
3. Training Courses: Training courses on RTCA documents including DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160G, and Airworthiness Security courses. Members receive discounted rates. Courses are delivered virtually and in-person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RTCA develops and disseminates consensus-based technical performance standards for the global aviation community, including Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS), Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS), process documents (e.g., DO-178C, DO-160G, DO-254), and airworthiness security standards (DO-326A series). These standards are accepted by the FAA and civil aviation authorities worldwide as means of compliance for certifying aircraft, avionics, ATM/ANS, UAS, and AAM systems. RTCA monetizes these through tiered organizational membership, individual document sales, and paid training courses.

Product overview

RTCA (Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) is a private, not-for-profit Standards Development Organization (SDO) founded in 1935 that develops consensus-based technical performance standards for the global aviation industry. The organization offers a portfolio of core standards documents including DO-178C (software), DO-160G (environmental testing), DO-254 (electronic hardware), and a comprehensive suite of security standards (DO-326A, DO-355A, DO-356A, DO-391, DO-392, DO-393). These are complemented by training courses delivered through PathLMS on DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160G, and Airworthiness Security. RTCA also publishes Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS), Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS), and guidance documents. Membership provides access to the standards library (400+ documents), committee participation rights, training discounts, and industry networking. The organization collaborates with EUROCAE on harmonized international standards and is referenced by FAA, EASA, and civil aviation authorities worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DO-178C — Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification The core document defining both design assurance and product assurance for airborne software; published in 2011 and referenced in FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-115D. Used by aircraft and avionics manufacturers to certify software used in commercial and military airborne systems.
• DO-160G — Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment Provides standard test methods ensuring aviation equipment functions appropriately under multiple environmental and electromagnetic interference (EMI) conditions found on aircraft. The current version is DO-160G, published in 2010, with DO-160H revisions in committee.
• DO-254 — Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware Design assurance guidance for airborne electronic hardware, recognized by the FAA as an acceptable means of compliance for hardware design practices via Advisory Circular AC 20-152A. Used by avionics manufacturers to certify complex electronic hardware for airborne use.
• Airworthiness Security Standards Suite (DO-326A, DO-355A, DO-356A, DO-391, DO-392, DO-393) A suite of consensus-based aviation cybersecurity and airworthiness security process specifications developed jointly by RTCA SC-216 and EUROCAE WG-72 to address information security threats throughout the aircraft lifecycle — from initial certification (DO-326A/356A) to continuing airworthiness (DO-355A) to ATM/ANS ground systems (DO-391, DO-392, DO-393). Used by aircraft manufacturers, operators, maintainers, ANSPs, and Civil Aviation Authorities.
• DO-364A — Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) for Aeronautical Information/Meteorological Data Link Services MASPS document addressing system characteristics and the allocation of requirements supporting data link services for aeronautical information and meteorological information. Intended for designers, manufacturers, installers, service providers, regulators, and users.
• DO-402 — Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication (WAIC) System Seminal MOPS document describing essential performance requirements for safe introduction and deployment of wireless communications within the certified avionics environment. Published by SC-236 in December 2025.
• RR-005 — Aviation Data Security Report Report addressing minimum standards for the generation, storage, and delivery of data including Operational Flight Programs, sensitive maintenance data records, and other security-relevant data. Published by SC-216.
• RR-007 — Information Security Management System for Aviation Organizations Report Captures RTCA's work completed on Information Security Management System requirements for aviation organizations, released in response to EASA and industry requests prior to Part-IS implementation.
• RR-004A — Susceptibility of Airborne Weather Radar Systems to Radio Frequency Report describing how emerging telecommunications systems may affect airborne weather radar performance; published by SC-230 in December 2025.
• DO-262G and DO-343E — Next-Generation Satellite Systems Standards Updates Updated MOPS for avionics supporting next-generation satellite systems (DO-262G) and updated MASPS for AMS(R)S data and voice communications supporting Required Communications Performance and Required Surveillance Performance (DO-343E). Published by SC-222 in 2025.
• DO-178C Training Course High-quality training for the aviation industry on understanding the requirements and parameters for avionics software development necessary to obtain FAA certification under DO-178C. Offered through RTCA's partnership with The MITRE Aviation Institute; available in-person and virtually via Path LMS; members receive discounted rates.
• Supplements to DO-178C Training Course One-day course on techniques needed to comply with DO-178C, responding to community needs for additional training on Model-Based Development, Object-Oriented Programming, and Formal Methods supplements.
• DO-254 Training Course Three-day training course tailored specifically for design/verification engineers and project/certification managers requiring DO-254 compliance for airborne electronic hardware.
• DO-160G Training Course Training on environmental conditions and EMI test procedures for airborne equipment based on the DO-160G standard. Members receive discounted pricing via the RTCA Training Center on Path LMS.
• Airworthiness Security Training Course (DO-326A / DO-355A / DO-356A) Four-day virtual course covering DO-326A, DO-355A, and DO-356A. Describes what Airworthiness Security is, why it matters, which FAA regulations require these documents, and how to apply the standards through step-by-step processes.
• Cybersecurity Training Courses (DO-391, DO-392, DO-393) Three new training courses covering aviation cybersecurity — DO-391 on security framework guidance, DO-392 on information security event management, and DO-393 on security certification for ATM ANS ground systems. Developed by NIAR and offered through RTCA's partnership with Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).
• RTCA Membership (Industry / Government / Academic / Association) Annual membership tiers (Industry Levels 1-7, Academic Basic/Standard, Government, Association, Non-U.S. Government Limited/Full) priced from $1,250 to $24,960+ per year based on member gross revenue. Provides access to the 400+ standards library, Special Committee participation rights, training discounts, and member directory access. Only members may participate on Special Committees and shape performance standards.
• Special Committee Participation (SC-206, SC-216, SC-222, SC-224, SC-228, SC-230, SC-236, SC-238, SC-239, SC-242 and others) Member-only participation on 25 active RTCA Special Committees that develop comprehensive, industry-vetted and endorsed recommendations for aviation performance standards. Committees cover TCAS, GNSS, ADS-B, security, spectrum compatibility, AAM, UAS, and counter-UAS domains. Only members may participate on Special Committees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 19 technical standards and reports published in 2025 alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• EUROCAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTCA works jointly with EUROCAE through parallel working groups to develop harmonized international standards. Key joint initiatives include SC-216 with WG-72 (Aeronautical Systems Security), SC-242 with WG-124 (Spectrum Compatibility), SC-238 with WG-115 (Counter UAS), and numerous other committees. Joint summits are held regularly including Aviation Security Summit and Future Connectivity Summit.
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTCA works in long-standing coordination with ICAO to produce harmonized and trusted international standards. RTCA documents are called out in ICAO documents to help companies understand technology functions and assist Civil Aviation Authorities in integration.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTCA serves as the premier Public-Private Partnership venue working with FAA to develop consensus-based standards that can be used as means of compliance with FAA regulations. FAA nominates Government Authorized Representatives to committees and references RTCA standards in advisory circulars and Technical Standard Orders.
• Wichita State University - National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for security standards and training. NIAR WERX Electromagnetic Test Lab provides curriculum and instruction for RTCA security courses including DO-391 (Security Framework Guidance), DO-392 (Information Security Event Management), and DO-393 (Security Certification for ATM ANS Ground Systems). Courses offered in September-October 2023 and ongoing.
• The MITRE CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMITRE operates the FAA's federally funded research and development center (CAASD) and provides significant committee leadership including Christopher Hegarty as Government Authorized Representative on Program Management Committee and Chris Hegarty as Co-Chair of SC-159 (GNSS). Dr. Kerry Buckley serves as RTCA Board Treasurer and MITRE VP for CAASD.
• The MITRE Aviation InstitutesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTCA has teamed with The MITRE Aviation Institute to offer high quality and relevant training for the aviation industry in understanding DO-178C requirements and parameters for avionics software development necessary to obtain FAA certification.
• CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarlos Cirilo from CANSO serves on the RTCA Advisory Board, representing air navigation service providers' interests in standards development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD6NYRLyT0mNVfDEtq7L51w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rtca-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RTCA