Software DER & Expert Witness | KTronics Aero Services

FAA Software DER

DO-178C Software Certification

Kevin is an FAA Consultant Designated Engineering Representative (DER) specializing in airborne software. He brings 25 years of hands-on avionics and embedded systems development to every engagement.

He understands both the regulatory framework and the engineering realities of building safety-critical software — because he has lived on both sides of the process. His background spans DO-178C software certification from Level A through D across multiple aircraft categories.

FAA Consultant Software DER since March 2018
Software Levels A, B, C, and D
Parts 23, 25, 27, and 29 aircraft categories
25+ years embedded and avionics software development

How Kevin Can Help

DER Services

Support across the full software certification lifecycle, from program launch through final FAA approval.

Plan Review & Approval

Review and FAA approval of Software Development Plans (SDP), Software Verification Plans (SVP), Software Configuration Management Plans (SCMP), and Software Quality Assurance Plans (SQAP).

Software Review & Audit

Independent review of requirements, design, code (C, C++, assembly), and test artifacts against DO-178C objectives. SOI audit support including witnessing run-for-score testing.

Accomplishment Summary Review

Review and approval of the Software Accomplishment Summary (SAS) and supporting evidence for FAA submittal and final certification credit.

Certification Planning & Strategy

Early-program engagement to establish a realistic certification strategy, avoid pitfalls, and align your development process with DO-178C objectives from day one. Training and ongoing support available.

Expert Witness

Expert Witness Services

Kevin provides expert witness and technical consulting services for aviation-related legal proceedings. His background combines active commercial pilot experience, FAA DER credentials, and 25+ years of engineering — covering both the regulatory and operational dimensions of aviation.

Areas of technical expertise for litigation support include:

Avionics systems, display units, and flight control systems
Aviation software processes, embedded RTOS development, and source code review
DO-178C compliance, lifecycle processes, and deviation analysis
Intellectual property review and engineering data analysis
FAA certification processes and regulatory standards
Expert report generation, deposition testimony, and trial testimony

Discuss Your Case LinkedIn Profile

Technical Background

Before founding KTronics Aero Services, Kevin spent 25 years as an avionics and embedded systems software engineer — including as Director of Software Engineering / Chief Software Architect at BendixKing by Honeywell, where he built a DO-178C software process from the ground up for next-generation general aviation avionics.

He holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Kevin is also an active commercial pilot and CFI with 3,700+ flight hours. He understands not just the certification documents, but what their requirements mean when a pilot is hand-flying an approach in IMC. That operational perspective shapes every engagement.

M.S. Electrical Engineering — University of Illinois (UIUC)
B.S. Electrical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude — RPI
3 issued/filed US patents — compiler optimization + automated flight control
3 peer-reviewed publications (ISCA, Euro-Par)

Full Bio

FAA Software DER & Expert Witness