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4-1.
GENERAL |
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a. Purpose of the designee system is to provide FAA authorized assistance by designating private persons to act as representatives of the Administrator for the purpose of issuing certificates. (Reference 14 CFR part 183, Representatives of the Administrator.) This may include examining, inspecting, and testing of persons, aircraft, engines, or propellers, and approving or recommending approval of certain types of data, etc., for compliance with the 14 CFR's or CAR's. b. The Applicant may hire an FAA authorized designee to perform a task an FAA employee would normally perform. c. Types of designees most often used in the STC application process are DER's, DMIR's, and DAR's. d. Designees are not employees of the FAA. As private individuals, acting as representatives of the Administrator, they set their own rates and run their own businesses. 4-2. DESIGNATED ENGINEERING REPRESENTATIVES. a. DER's may only approve, or recommend approval, of data as complying with the 14 CFR or CAR to the FAA. A DER's authority is limited to specific functions within one or more of the following categories: (1) Structural. (2) Powerplant (installation, engine or propeller). (3) Systems and Equipment (mechanical or electrical). (4) Radio. (5) Engines. (6) Propellers. (7) Flight (flight analyst or flight test pilot). (8) Acoustical. (9) Administrative/Management. b. DER Appointment may be granted when the FAA has been satisfied that the DER applicant demonstrated the ability to research applicable regulations, procedures, policies, and methods of compliance; and produced work acceptable to the Administrator. See the most current version of FAA 8110.37, Designated Engineering Representatives (DER) Guidance Handbook. NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to assure all potential DERs to be utilized on a project have the correct delegated authority applicable to that project. c. FAA auditing of the DER's work is required on a continuing basis. Problems discovered during these audits are referred back to the DER for correction. Generally, this interchange takes place directly between the DER and the FAA. However, when the DER's work is submitted by a third party, the FAA will refer the items needing corrections to that party. NOTE: Project scheduling should allow for the required FAA audits of DER submittals. d. The DER performs all tests on which the DER intends to approve or recommend approval of the data. When a DER approves test data, the DER is indicating: the DER performed the tests; the tests were conducted in accordance with the approved test plan; and the recorded data is the official test results. Flight test programs approved to be conducted by a DER require the issuance of a TIA and specific authorization from the ACO Flight Test Branch to conduct tests. See FAA Order 8110.37. NOTE: All FAA flight test programs require a TIA whether it is conducted by an FAA or DER pilot. See FAA Order 8110.4. e. Administrative DER acts as a focal point for FAA coordination activity. This includes: correspondence; scheduling meetings; organizing technical DER activities; coordinating FAA participation in official tests; and conformity inspections. If appointed coordinator or checkpoint for other DER work, the Administrative DER should be assigned the authorized area of "Special-Administrative" with the delegated function of "DER Coordination." f. Management DER performs certification management duties for the FAA similar to that of the FAA Project Engineer. This includes organizing the certification program; and directing, overseeing, and managing technical assessments and findings of compliance. The Management DER assures all technical data required to show compliance (except in those areas reserved by the FAA) is reviewed and approved. g. A DER may be authorized to act as a DER (to find compliance only with U.S. requirements) in a country other than the U.S. under the conditions and limitations specified in the latest revision of FAA Order 8110.37, DER Guidance Handbook. 4-3. DESIGNATED MANUFACTURING INSPECTION REPRESENTATIVES. DMIR's, within limits prescribed by 14 CFR part 183, section 183.31, and under the general supervision of the FAA, may: a. Issue an original standard or special airworthiness certificate when determined that the product(s) conform to the approved design requirements and are in a condition for safe operation. b. Issue an experimental certificate for the purpose of showing compliance with 14 CFR chapters I and III for aircraft which the Production Approval Holder (PAH) holds the TC and has undergone changes to the type design that require an FAA official flight test. c. Conduct conformity inspections to determine: (1) Prototype products and related parts conform to design specifications (2) Production products and related parts conform to the approved type design and are in a condition for safe operation. 4-4. DESIGNATED AIRWORTHINESS REPRESENTATIVES. a. DAR's may perform examinations, inspections, and testing services necessary to issue certificates when approved by the FAA. b. Manufacturing DAR's may be utilized for conformity inspections and issuance of experimental and standard airworthiness certificates. However, they must be delegated by the appropriate MIDO and FSDO prior to performing an authorized function. The FAA maintains a list of consultant DER's and DAR's in the most current version of AC 183.29-1, Designated Engineering Representatives, and AC 183-35, FAA DAR, DAS, DOA, and SFAR Part 36 Directory. All ACO's, MIDO's, and FSDO's should have a list of designees for their particular geographic area. 4-6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE APPLICANT. The applicant is responsible for contacting the local
ACO, MIDO, and FSDO to assure that the designee has the
authorization of the FAA to perform a particular function
(i.e. approve data, perform inspections, witness tests,
etc.), for the given modification. The applicant is also
responsible to coordinate with the FAA to assure each test
and inspection authorization has been delegated. |
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For more information on how ASTECH Engineering may be able to help you, please contact Jeff Wilson at astech@cox.net or call 316-304-6157. © Copyright 1996 ASTECH Engineering. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the author. |