"Fundamental changes in the institutional arrangements for aviation regulation in Europe, the introduction of new technologies and operations, and demands for higher levels of safety performance call for the adaptation of existing certification processes. Therefore, the main objective of ASCOS is to develop novel certification process adaptations and supporting safety driven design methods and tools to ease the certification of safety enhancement systems and operations, thereby increasing safety. The proposed project will follow a total system approach, dealing with all aviation system elements in an integrated way over the complete life-cycle. To investigate how dealing with all safety and certification aspects in an integrated manner may be made possible using a new process, new methods and new tools, ASCOS contains work packages on Certification processes, Continuous Safety Monitoring, and Safety Risk Management. Four case studies will be conducted to validate the processes, methods and tools proposed. The case studies include the certification of aircraft failure management systems, a future ATM/CNS system for improved surveillance, aircraft systems for improved controllability in flight, and aircraft ground handling operations. A very strong already established User Group will keep the project focused and facilitate the uptake of project results. ASCOS will provide efficient and affordable certification process adaptations for new aeronautical systems and operations. ASCOS provides safety based design systems and tools that better account for the human element, already from the early stages of the certification process, thereby reducing consequences of human error and increasing safety."