A distributed avionics system arranged in an aerial vehicle for controlling at least one avionics function. A plurality of avionics processing subsystems are interconnected in a network. Each avionics processing subsystem includes a processor arranged to process at least one task so as to provide a set of data messages including at least one unit of data related to controlling the at least one avionics function on basis of provided input data, related to conditions of the at least one avionics function. A memory module is in operative connection with the processor and is arranged to store instructions for the processor to process the at least one task. At least one of the avionics processing subsystems is arranged to transmit at least one synchronization cycle start signal onto the network.