POWERFUL PROGRESS, COMMON GROUND
RTCA is a private, not-for-profit association founded in 1935 as the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, now referred to simply as “RTCA”. We are the premier Public-Private Partnership venue for developing consensus among diverse, competing interests on critical aviation modernization issues in an increasingly global enterprise.
Mission
Lead the development of enduring, consensus-based technical performance standards which are vital to the work of our members and protect the safety and security of the global aviation ecosystem.
Who is RTCA?
RTCA has provided the foundation for virtually every modern technical advance in aviation. A Standards Development Organization (SDO), RTCA works with our members from the aviation industry and international Civil Aviation Authorities to develop comprehensive, industry-vetted and endorsed standards that can be used as means of compliance with government regulations. Our deliberations are open to the public and our products are developed by aviation subject matter experts functioning in a consensus-based, collaborative, transparent environment. See our Path to Certification Page for more information on our most popular documents.
RTCA Celebrates 90 Years!
First William E. Jackson Award
is presented to Peter W. Hwoschinsky (right) by acting FAA Administrator James E. Dow, while Mrs. Jackson looks on. Hwoschinskys award-winning thesis on the Omega navigation system for general aviation was done while he was a student at MIT.
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RTCA presented Collier Trophy
President Harry S. Truman (center, left) awards 1948 Collier Trophy to RTCA for SC-31 development of a national common system of air traffic control. Receiving award for RTCA is chairman, J.H. Dellinger (center, right)
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Governance
Awards and Scholoarships