Evaluating MBSE Approaches and Tools for Aircraft Design and Certification: A Comparative Perspective

This study addresses the growing complexity of aircraft certification by introducing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques within the Digital Innovative General Aviation Aircraft Certification (DIGACE) project. The research aims to digitalize airworthiness requirements and means of compliance, focusing on EASA CS-23, Amendment 6. The proposed framework employs SysML for formal modeling and MATLAB/Simulink for automated processing, enabling structured encoding of certification data and metadata. The SysML-based UML model highlights inconsistencies in current regulatory standards while supporting automated generation of certification artifacts and technical reports. Two implementations are examined: one using Eclipse Papyrus in conjunction with MATLAB for parsing and computation, and another leveraging CATIA Magic Systems of Systems Architect to execute certification-related tasks through Activity Diagrams and C++ routines. Both approaches demonstrate the feasibility of automating certification workflows, reducing manual effort, and improving traceability. These findings suggest that MBSE methodologies can significantly enhance certification efficiency, support the integration of innovative technologies, and maintain compliance with legacy safety standards. Future work will focus on validating these frameworks in industrial settings, and refining their robustness for broader adoption.