+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| ![](media/image                     | **Memorandum**                 |
| 1.png){width="1.1402777777777777in" |                                |
| height="1.1631944444444444in"}      |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+

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<td colspan="2"><strong>Subject:</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong><u>ACTION</u>:</strong> AIR-100 Policy
Memorandum #2001-01, Use of Designated Engineering Representatives in
the Technical Standard Order Authorization Process</td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Date:</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>APR 16 2001</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"><h1 id="reply-to">Reply to</h1></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
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<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"><strong>From:</strong></td>
<td colspan="3">Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, AIR-100</td>
<td colspan="2"><p><strong>Reply to</strong></p>
<p><strong>Attn. of:</strong></p></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
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<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"><strong>To:</strong></td>
<td colspan="2">All Aircraft Certification Offices</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
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> **Reference:** FAA Order 8150.1A Technical Standard Order Procedures
> and 8110.37C Designated Engineering Representative (DER) Guidance
> Handbook

This memorandum prescribes new Aircraft Certification Service policy
addressing use of Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) in the
Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization process. This policy
relaxes some of the restrictions previously placed on DER use by the
referenced orders. Specifically, this policy allows DERs with the
delegation of \"Software Approval\" to be authorized to approve specific
technical data in support of a manufacturer's request for Technical
Standard Order authorization (TSOA). This will assist ACOs in issuing
the TSOA when software is part of the TSO article. This policy applies
immediately to all ACOs and eligible DERs (DERs with a delegation of
software approval). The contents of this Policy Memo will be
incorporated in future revisions to Orders 8150.1, 8110.37, and 8100.8
Designee Management Handbook.

When processing an application for TSOA the FAA can make a finding of
conformance to the TSO based solely on the submittal of the documents
specified in 14 CFR § 21.605(a) and a determination of the
manufacturer\'s ability to produce duplicate articles. The FAA also has
discretion in its level of review when making the finding of conformance
to the TSO.

Previous concerns about the use of DERs in the TSOA process were based
on the legal authority extended to the DER under Title 49 and 14 CFR
part 183. Title 49 U.S.C.\
§ 44702(d)(1)(A) allows the FAA Administrator to delegate a matter
related to the examination, testing, and inspection necessary to issue a
certificate. While a TSO is not a certificate, it has little value
unless the intent is to install it on a type certificated product. A TSO
is a standard that ultimately supports the issuance of a Type
Certificate (TC), amended TC, Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) or
amended STC. Based on this reasoning, allowing the use of DERs in the
TSOA process meets the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 44702(d)(1).

In order for a DER to be utilized in the TSOA process the DER must first
be granted the special delegation to make findings of compliance in
support of 14 CFR, § 21.601(b)(2). This special delegation will be
identified in the DER\'s authority as \"TSO Software\". This special
delegation should be granted by the DER\'s appointing ACO as part of the
DER\'s letter of authorization. The Designee Information Network (DIN)
will be modified in the near future to add \"TSO Software Approval\" as
a special delegation that can be authorized to DERs with the delegation
of \"Software Approval\". In the interim, offices can use the
\"Limitations\" text field for this special function until it can be
added to the \"Special Functions\" list.

The decision to allow the use of DERs to approve software data on behalf
of a TSO applicant is up to the project ACO. If an applicant desires to
use a DER to approve data, the DER should be identified early in the
project so that the ACO can decide if they will accept DER approved
data. The ACO will also determine the suitability of the proposed DER,
and identify the specific data that can be DER approved for the project
and data that will be reserved for ACO approval.

The DER\'s data approval capability in support of TSOA will be limited
to findings of compliance to RTCA Document DO-178(), *"Software
Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification"*, when
software is incorporated in the article concerned. Compliance with
DO-178() will be shown on FAA form 8110-3. The purpose of data block
will state \"In support of TSO CXXX authorization\". The applicable
requirements block would include the statement \"In support of 14 CFR §
21.601(b)(2) and RTCA DO-178()\". The authorized DER should also add
\"TSO Software\" to the Classification(s) block in addition to their DER
type (see the example in attachment 1).

Installation concerns for any TSO\'d article will still need to be
addressed by the TC, STC, or amended TC applicant; however, under most
circumstances, the DO-178() data will not require re-evaluation unless
there is some installation-specific issue to be addressed by the
DO-178() data.

This expanded use of the designee system is intended to increase the
ACO\'s confidence in the applicant\'s design submittal, thus reducing
the review time necessary for granting a TSOA. An evaluation of the
effectiveness of this program will be made in order to determine if the
program should continue or be expanded to other TSO aspects beyond
software.

For more information on this Policy Memo, contact Kevin Kendall,
AFS-610, 405-954-7074.

![](media/image2.png){width="2.1979166666666665in" height="0.34375in"}

James C. Jones

**Attachment 1**

+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| U.S.          |           |      |          |   |   | DATE          |
| DEPARTMENT OF |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| T             |           |      |          |   |   | > May 25,     |
| RANSPORTATION |           |      |          |   |   | > 2001        |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| FEDERAL       |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| AVIATION      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| A             |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| DMINISTRATION |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| **STATEMENT   |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| OF COMPLIANCE |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| WITH THE      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| FEDERAL       |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| AVIATION      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| REGULATIONS** |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| **AIRCRAFT OR |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| AIRCRAFT      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| COMPONENT     |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| IDE           |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| NTIFICATION** |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| MAKE          | MODEL NO. | TYPE |          | N |   |               |
|               |           | (*A  |          | A |   |               |
| > Smithson    | > 401     | irpl |          | M |   |               |
|               |           | ane, |          | E |   |               |
|               |           | Ra   |          | O |   |               |
|               |           | dio, |          | F |   |               |
|               |           | Hel  |          | A |   |               |
|               |           | icop |          | P |   |               |
|               |           | ter, |          | P |   |               |
|               |           | et   |          | L |   |               |
|               |           | c.)* |          | I |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | C |   |               |
|               |           | GPS  |          | A |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | N |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | T |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | > |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | S |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | m |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | i |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | t |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | h |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | s |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | o |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | n |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | > |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | A |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | v |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | i |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | o |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | n |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | i |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | c |   |               |
|               |           |      |          | s |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| **LIST OF     |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| DATA**        |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| I             | TITLE     |      |          |   |   |               |
| DENTIFICATION |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| SAC 18001     | C         |      |          |   |   |               |
| Rev. C        | ompliance |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Matrix    |      |          |   |   |               |
| SAC 18002     | (         |      |          |   |   |               |
| Rev. D        | reference |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | DO 178B   |      |          |   |   |               |
| SAC 18003     | Annex A)  |      |          |   |   |               |
| Rev. A        |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Software  |      |          |   |   |               |
| SAC 18004     | De        |      |          |   |   |               |
| Rev. A        | velopment |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Plan (re: |      |          |   |   |               |
| SAC 18005     | DO 178B   |      |          |   |   |               |
| Rev. A        | Paragraph |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | 11.2)     |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Software  |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Ver       |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | ification |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Plan (re: |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | DO 178B   |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Paragraph |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | 11.3)     |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Software  |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Quality   |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Assurance |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Plan (re: |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | DO 178B   |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Paragraph |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | 8.0,      |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | 11.5)     |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Software  |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Conf      |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | iguration |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | M         |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | anagement |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Plan (re: |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | DO 178B   |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | Paragraph |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | 7.0,      |      |          |   |   |               |
|               | 11.4)     |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| PURPOSE OF    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| DATA          |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| In support of |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| TSO C129      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| authorization |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| APPLICABLE    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| REQUIREMENTS  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| *(List        |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| specific      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| sections)*    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| In support of |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| 14 CFR §      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| 21            |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| .601(b)(2)and |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| RTCA DO-178B  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| CE            |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| RTIFICATION - |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Under         |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| authority     |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| vested by     |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| direction of  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| the           |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Administrator |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| and in        |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| accordance    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| with          |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| conditions    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| and           |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| limitations   |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| of            |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| appointment   |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| under Part    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| 183 of the    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Federal       |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Aviation      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Regulations,  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| data listed   |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| above and on  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| attached      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| sheets        |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| numbered have |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| been examined |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| in accordance |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| with          |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| established   |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| procedures    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| and found to  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| comply with   |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| applicable    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| requirements  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| of the        |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Federal       |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Aviation      |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Regulations.  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| > ¨ Recommend |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| > approval of |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| > these data  |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| ~~I~~ (We)    |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Therefore x   |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| Approve these |           |      |          |   |   |               |
| data          |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| SIGNATURE(S)  |           |      | DES      |   | C |               |
| OF DESIGNATED |           |      | IGNATION |   | L |               |
| ENGINEERING   |           |      | N        |   | A |               |
| REPR          |           |      | UMBER(S) |   | S |               |
| ESENTATIVE(S) |           |      |          |   | S |               |
|               |           |      |          |   | I |               |
|               |           |      |          |   | F |               |
|               |           |      |          |   | I |               |
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|               |           |      |          |   | ( |               |
|               |           |      |          |   | S |               |
|               |           |      |          |   | ) |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
| **James       |           |      | DERY-1   |   | S |               |
| Bullock**     |           |      | 23456-NM |   | Y |               |
| James Bullock |           |      |          |   | S |               |
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+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+
|               |           |      |          |   |   |               |
+---------------+-----------+------+----------+---+---+---------------+