Our history

EUROCAE was created in 1963.

Founded in 1963, EUROCAE is a non-profit organization that brings together manufacturers, operators, regulators, and other aviation stakeholders to develop and promote standards for aviation equipment and related systems. These standards are designed to ensure the interoperability, reliability, and safety of aviation equipment and systems, and they are widely adopted by regulators, certification agencies, and other organizations around the world.

Over the years, EUROCAE has made significant contributions to the aviation industry through its work on a wide range of standards, including those for avionics, aircraft interiors, ground handling equipment, and more. Some of the organization's most notable achievements include the development of standards for satellite-based navigation systems, aircraft performance monitoring, and aircraft noise and emissions.

In recent years, EUROCAE has also focused on emerging technologies, such as electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and connected aircraft. These efforts have helped to ensure that the aviation industry is well-equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.

In the 1960's

April 1963: EUROCAE is established at a meeting in Lucerne as the "European Organisation for Civil Aviation Electronics". 23 members (all manufacturers) from Belgium, France, Italy, The Netherlands, United Kingdom. The President was Philippe Lizon (LMT), and the Steering Committee Chairman Bernard O'Kane (Marconi)
1963: Collaboration is established with RTCA
1965: first published document (Achievement of Reliability by use of Redundancy Techniques)
1966: A Civil Aviation Administration (the French SGAC) becomes member
1966: EUROCAE formally recognised by ECAC, who recommends that EUROCAE specifications be used by Aviation Authorities for regulatory purposes

In the 1970's

1970: Three important Working Groups are set up: WG-12, Data Processing / Software; WG-13, Area Navigation; and WG-14, Environment
1973: EUROCONTROL becomes member
1975: Secretariat moves to rue Hamelin, Paris
1976: First publication of a joint Document RTCA/EUROCAE (ED-14/DO-160)
1978: Creation of a Working Group for Ground Equipment (DME)

In the 1980's

1980: Philips (Canada), General Electric, King Radio, Collins Avionics, Lockheed Aircraft (USA) become the first non-European members
1981: Adoption of ED-14 as approved ISO Standard (7137)
1982: Publication of Software document ED-12/DO-178
1983: After 20 years, EUROCAE counts 59 members, has activated 26 Working Groups, and has published more than 40 documents
1986: Creation of a Working Group on GPS
1987: Bernard Perret becomes the Secretary General of EUROCAE
1989: EUROCAE extends its domain of activities to non-electronic Equipment and becomes the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment

In the 1990's

1991: First JTSO issued by JAA referencing EUROCAE specifications
1994: Francis Grimal becomes the Secretary General of EUROCAE
1996: Signature of Memorandum of Understanding with JAA, recognising EUROCAE as preferable body to develop specifications for airborne equipment and systems
1996: First recognition by ICAO that existing standards, such as EUROCAE and RTCA MOPS, can be used as a basis for SARPs

In the 2000's

2000: First meeting of the EUROCAE Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
2004: Gilbert Amato becomes the Secretary General of EUROCAE
2004: EUROCAE mentioned in SES Interoperability Regulation (552/2004)
2004-2006: Study contracts (FOIPS,AHLM,AAM…) signed with EUROCONTROL
2004-2011: Seven grants signed with the EC over the period
2006: EUROCAE moves to Malakoff (Paris area)
2006: Creation of the ATMSCG (Air Traffic Management Standards Co-ordinationGroup) establishing cooperation between the EC, EUROCONTROL, CEN, CENELEC, ETSI and later, EASA
2006: New activity set up: UAV (WG-73)
2006: Framework contract signed with the EASA
2008: Members of the Secretariats of ICAO, ARINC, EUROCAE, RTCA and SAE International met with the view towards establishing a closer working relationship amongst international standards-making organizations
2009: Signature of a MoU between EUROCAE and ICAO
2009: Signature of a MoU between EUROCAE and SAE

In the 2010's

2010-2011: Contract signed with EUROCONTROL regarding the contribution to the SESARC3 - Standardisation Roadmap
2012: Abdoulaye N'Diaye becomes the Secretary General of EUROCAE
2014: Christian Schleifer-Heingärtner took over on an interim basis the functions of EUROCAE Secretary General
2014: Signature of an MoC between EUROCAE and RTCA
2015: Christian Schleifer-Heingärtner took over the permanent position of Secretary General
2015: Creation of the European ATM Standards Coordination Group (EASCG)
2015: EUROCAE updates tje MoU with SAE International to an MoC
2015: EUROCAE signs a MoU with ASD-STAN
2016: EUROCAE signs a MoC with SESAR Deployment Manager
2016: IATA becomes EUROCAE's 200^th member
2017: EUROCAE moves to Saint-Denis (Paris area)
2018: EUROCAE signs an MoU with IFATCA
2019: EUROCAE signs a MoU with ACI Europe

In the 2020's

2020: EUROCAE signs a MoU with GAMA
2020: 57^th EUROCAE General Assembly held in a hybrid format (given the current pandemic context)
2022: Anna von Groote becomes the Director General of EUROCAE
2022: EUROCAE signs a MoU with SAE
2022: EUROCAE signs a MoU with KIAST
2023: 60 anniversary (+450 members, over 50 active Working Groups, and +4.500 experts)