Author

Leanna Rierson is an independent consultant in software, complex electronic hardware, and integrated module avionics (IMA) development for safety-critical systems, with emphasis on civil aviation. She has over 20 years of experience in the software and aviation industry. Rierson spent nine years as a software and avionics specialist at the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—five of those years were in the position of chief scientific and technical advisor for aircraft computer software. Rierson has published numerous papers on safety-critical software, integrated modular avionics, and aviation; led many national and international engineering teams and workshops; and developed courses, policies, handbooks, and guidance material for the FAA. She served as a subgroup cochair and editorial team leader on the RTCA special committee that wrote DO-178C and six other related documents. Rierson has taught DO-178B, and now DO-178C, to hundreds of professionals. She is an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) with Level A authority in the software and complex hardware technical areas. She has worked with numerous aircraft and avionics companies, including Boeing, Cessna, Learjet, Embraer, Rockwell Collins, GE Aviation, Honeywell, and numerous others. She is currently working part-time for the Rockwell Collins avionics certification team.

Rierson holds a master’s degree in software engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Wichita State University. She also attended Ozark Christian College and received a master’s degree from Johnson Bible College. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree.