View Standards
EXAM OVERVIEW
The CAE certification exam evaluates the core competencies required to integrate advanced avionics technologies into modern aerospace platforms. It includes eight modules with a total of 128 questions. Candidates are allowed a maximum of 32 incorrect answers to pass the exam.
Format: Online, proctored exam
Duration: 1.5 hours
Passing Score: 75% (96/128 correct answers)
The exam assesses candidates on three dimensions of knowledge:
Factual (What): Understanding key concepts and definitions.
Conceptual (Why): Recognizing the importance and reasoning behind practices.
Procedural (How): Applying methods to real-world scenarios.
Certification standards
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1.1. Define avionics system architecture and key subsystems.
1.2. Explain avionics communication protocols, including ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, and AFDX.
1.3. Identify regulatory requirements for avionics certification (DO-178C, DO-254, and FAR Part 25). -
2.1. Explain fly-by-wire (FBW) and flight control system architectures.
2.2. Describe real-time operating systems (RTOS) for avionics applications.
2.3. Identify software verification and validation methods for avionics firmware. -
3.1. Define airborne radar types, including pulse-Doppler, AESA, and SAR.
3.2. Explain sensor fusion techniques for integrating radar, GPS, and inertial navigation systems.
3.3. Identify electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) and radar jamming mitigation strategies. -
4.1. Explain inertial navigation system (INS) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) integration.
4.2. Describe terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar in military aircraft.
4.3. Identify performance parameters for precision landing and automatic flight control. -
5.1. Describe VHF/UHF radio communication, SATCOM, and tactical data link (TDL) systems.
5.2. Explain the role of data links such as Link 16, MADL, and CDL in military avionics.
5.3. Identify cybersecurity threats and encryption methods for avionics communication. -
6.1. Define primary flight display (PFD) and multi-function display (MFD) design considerations.
6.2. Explain helmet-mounted displays (HMDs) and heads-up display (HUD) technology.
6.3. Identify ergonomic and cognitive load factors in avionics user interface design. -
7.1. Describe environmental testing for avionics (DO-160G, MIL-STD-810).
7.2. Explain software safety certification requirements (DO-178C, DO-254).
7.3. Identify reliability and redundancy requirements for avionics systems. -
8.1. Explain artificial intelligence (AI) applications in avionics automation.
8.2. Describe avionics systems for urban air mobility (UAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
8.3. Identify trends in software-defined avionics and digital twin technology.
