2006 Designated Engineering Representative (DER)

Standardization and Recurrent Seminar Program Changes

(Standardized Seminar Format)

In October 2006 (FY07), FAA Aircraft Certification Service restructured
the Engineering Designee Standardization and Recurrent Seminar Program.
We explain the reasons for the seminar program changes, and describe the
major changes to the seminar format below.

# Reasons for the Change

We needed to change the Designee seminar program to address the
following:

# [Government Accountability Office (GAO) Audit]{.underline} The audit identified weaknesses in the FAA training programs for both Designees and FAA personnel.

1.  [FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) Delegation Order]{.underline} The new AVS
    Delegation order, VS 1100.2 -- Managing AVS Delegation Programs,
    requires ongoing, standardized training for FAA and Designees.

2.  [Budget Issues]{.underline}:

    -   For several years, the Designee seminar program has suffered
        recurring budget cuts. In order to continue to provide initial
        and refresher training to designees, we had to reevaluate the
        method used to fund the training.

    -   FAA Administrator directed that FAA implement a cost recovery
        system for all practical programs. The designee training program
        is in this group.

    -   Aircraft Engineering Division (AIR-100) is the only AVS Division
        that does not charge a fee for initial and recurrent designee
        training.

# Description of the Changes to the Seminar Program

**Seminar Format** changes that apply to both Standardization (Initial)
and Recurrent (Refresher) Seminars:

-   We will charge a seminar fee.

-   Aircraft Certification Service -- Delegation & Airworthiness
    Programs Branch (AIR-140) will maintain the seminar schedule on the
    FAA web site, [Designee Training &
    Seminars](http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/designees_delegations/training/).

-   AIR-140 will not mail individual invitations.

-   You must register and pay for the seminar on-line through the FAA
    web site.

-   Seminar seating will be limited. You must register to attend before
    the registration deadline for the seminar. We will not accept
    walk-ins.

-   Each attendee must complete a seminar evaluation and learning
    assessment at the conclusion of the seminar.

-   Each designee who attends the seminar and successfully completes
    required learning assessment(s) will receive an attendance
    certificate.

**Standardization Seminars** give newly appointed designees an
understanding of their roles and responsibilities as an FAA designee.
Seminar topics include:

-   History of the FAA

-   Certification processes of products and parts

-   Repairs and alterations

-   Technical Standard Orders

-   International requirements

-   Parts Manufacturer and Production Approvals

    -   [Duration]{.underline}: Two full days.

    -   [Frequency]{.underline}: Six to eight times each year.

    -   [Location]{.underline}: Oklahoma City, with a limited number of
        additional seminars at field office locations if needed.

    -   [Attendance]{.underline}: New designees must attend this seminar
        **prior** to appointment. This is a change from the existing
        requirement that allows attendance up to one year after
        appointment.

    -   [Fee]{.underline}: You will pay a set fee for the entire
        seminar.

    -   AIR-140 will manage the seminar content. They will host the
        seminars and invite Aircraft Certification Offices (ACO) to
        present information and participate in seminars, as necessary.

**Recurrent Seminars** provide information to designees on current
policy and regulation, emerging technology, as well as updates on issues
within the various technical disciplines.

-   [Duration]{.underline}: Two to three full days, as follows:

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-   Day 1: General session for all designees.

-   Day 2: Technical Breakout sessions for each technical specialty.

-   Day 3: If necessary, Day 2 Technical Breakout sessions will be
    repeated to accommodate designees who have multiple specialties.

    -   [Frequency]{.underline}: Eight to nine times each year.

    -   [Locations]{.underline}: Co-located with Aircraft Certification
        Offices.

    -   [Attendance]{.underline}: Designees must attend recurrent
        training every two years to be eligible for renewal. Designees
        must attend the General session as well as a Technical session
        for each assigned specialty.

> **NOTE: DERs who hold a single delegated function** in one or more
> engineering designation types, and who hold no other authorities in
> those designation types (Examples include, but are not limited to,
> Software only DERs and Flammability only DERs.), may accomplish the
> technical session attendance requirement by attending:

-   a special session AIR-140 deems appropriate to the delegated
    function, or,

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-   a technical session the DER's advisor deems "the most appropriate to
    the work performed."

    -   [Fee]{.underline}: You will pay a fee for each session of the
        seminar you attend.

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    <!-- -->
    ```
    -   [Seminar Cycle]{.underline}:

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-   The recurrent seminar cycle will change every two years, with
    mid-cycle updates to selected topics when the information changes
    significantly.

-   Session agendas will be standardized for all locations for the
    entire two-year cycle.

-   Designees will have the option of attending any of the seminars to
    fulfill the requirements for renewal.

    -   AIR-140 will host the seminars. AIR-140 and the seminar team
        will manage the seminar content. Subject matter experts from the
        Directorates and ACOs will present the various topics at the
        seminar, along with AIR-140.

    -   Designees can submit Seminar topic suggestions through the
        [Designee Training &
        Seminars](http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/designees_delegations/training/)
        page on the FAA web site.

This new format significantly changes the Designee Standardization and
Recurrent seminar program, as needed to address the GAO findings, the
Administrator's directive, and requirements of the new AVS Delegation
order. This program change is a great step toward standardization for
all Designated Engineering Representatives, Authorized Representatives,
and the FAA in the area of Aircraft Certification.