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VOLUME 13 FLIGHT STANDARDS DESIGNEES

CHAPTER 3 DESIGNATED AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER EXAMINER

Section 2 Duties and Responsibilities of the Designee

13-171 OBJECTIVE. This section outlines the duties and responsibilities of a Designated 

Aircraft Dispatcher Examiner (DADE).

13-172 GENERAL. When the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determines there is a 

need in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 183, 

§ 183.11, a Flight Standards (AFS) field office (including a certificate-holding district office 

(CHDO), certificate management office (CMO), and Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)) 

may authorize a DADE to leverage the FAA workforce and provide certification services on 

behalf of the Administrator. DADEs must exercise the privileges of their designation within the 

limitations set forth in their letter of authority (LOA). In accordance with § 183.25(f), DADEs 

are Technical Personnel Examiners (TPE) and are subject to all pertinent FAA policies, 

procedures, and guidance in FAA orders, including this one, while exercising the privileges of 

their authorization.

NOTE: Former FAA employees are subject to the same processes as any other 

applicant or designee.

13-173 ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.

A. DADE.

1) Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 1, contains directives and guidance on the process 

of selecting and authorizing a DADE.

2) Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 3, contains directives and guidance regarding 

DADE training.

3) Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 4, contains directives and guidance regarding the 

Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test.

4) The current edition of FAA Order 8000.95, Designee Management Policy, 

Volumes 1 and 4.

B. Certification of Aircraft Dispatchers. Guidance specific to the certification of 

aircraft dispatchers is contained in Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 10.

C. English Language Requirements. The current edition of Advisory Circular 

(AC) 60-28, English Language Skill Standards Required by 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, and 65, 

contains requirements and guidelines related to English language skills for aircraft dispatchers 

certificated under 14 CFR part 65.

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D. Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses. Guidance related to the oversight of 

Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses is contained in Volume 3, Chapter 63, Sections 1

through 3.

E. Information for Course Operators. The current edition of Advisory Circular

(AC) 65-XX, FAA-Approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Courses, contains information for 

potential and existing Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course operators.

F. Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA). Information 

related to IACRA can be found at the following Web site: https://iacra.faa.gov/iacra/default.aspx.

13-174 DESIGNATION IS A PRIVILEGE. Designation is a privilege, not a right, and as 

such may be terminated at any time. In accordance with Title 49 of the United States Code 

(49 U.S.C.), § 44702, the Administrator may rescind a designation at any time for any reason he 

or she considers appropriate.

13-175 SPECIFIC PRIVILEGES. In accordance with § 183.25(f), a DADE may:

• Accept FAA Form 8400-3, Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating;

• Conduct the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test; and

• At the discretion of the local AFS inspector (FAA managing specialist), issue 

temporary Aircraft Dispatcher Certificates to tested applicants who have qualified for 

the certificate.

13-176 DADE RESPONSIBILITIES.

A. Represent the FAA Positively. A DADE must represent the Administrator in a 

manner that reflects positively on the FAA. As a representative of the Administrator, a DADE 

must act accordingly.

B. Honor Appointments. A DADE should honor appointments made with the public 

and with the FAA as promptly as possible.

C. Develop a Plan of Action. A DADE must develop and use a plan of action for each 

Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test administered by the DADE.

D. Give Undivided Attention to Applicants. A DADE must give undivided attention to 

the applicant during the conduct of the test.

E. Keep Discussion Private and Confidential. A DADE must ensure that discussion 

with the applicant following the conduct of the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test is private and 

confidential.

F. Maintain a High Degree of Knowledge and Skill. A DADE must maintain a high 

degree of knowledge and skill of all the areas and subjects set forth in part 65 appendix A and 

the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards (PTS).

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G. Follow Federal Regulations and FAA Policy. When exercising the privileges of a 

DADE appointment, the DADE must adhere to Federal regulations and FAA policy set forth in 

FAA orders.

H. Administer Each Practical Test in English. A DADE must administer the Aircraft 

Dispatcher Practical Test entirely in the English language. The use of a translator during the test 

is not permitted.

I. Charge a Reasonable Fee. The DADE is responsible to charge each applicant a 

reasonable fee. Prior to administering the test, a DADE must explain any fee charged and must

ensure each applicant understands the fees, including those incurred for retesting after failure.

13-177 LIMITATIONS. In accordance with FAA AFS policy:

A. A DADE May Not Endorse, Amend, Alter, or Issue any Permanent Airman 

Certificate. DADE’s are prohibited from endorsing, amending, altering, or issuing any 

permanent Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. These actions may only be accomplished by a 

qualified ASI.

B. A DADE May Not Issue Any Limitation to an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. At 

no time may a DADE issue any limitation to an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

C. A DADE Many Not Exempt Any Applicant from the Testing Requirements of 

the Aircraft Dispatcher PTS. DADEs must administer the entire Aircraft Dispatcher Practical 

Test in accordance with the full requirements of the PTS.

D. A DADE May Not Provide Instruction to an Applicant in Combination with 

Administering the Practical Test to the Applicant. A DADE may not instruct the applicant 

during the test. If an applicant is unable to answer a question or successfully demonstrate a skill, 

the DADE may not instruct the applicant on the correct way to answer the question or 

demonstrate the skill.

E. A DADE May Not Temporarily Suspend (Discontinue) a Test to Allow the 

Applicant to Study. A DADE may not discontinue a test to allow an applicant time to study. If 

an applicant appears deficient in a particular task or area of knowledge, then the DADE must 

treat that as unsatisfactory performance and either continue the test if it appears the applicant will 

be able to pass the test overall, or fail the applicant. (See also Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 4 

paragraph 13-234, Unsuccessful Applicants, and 13-236, Discontinuation of the Practical Test.)

F. DADEs May Not Test Outside the Geographic Area of the CHDO Without 

Authorization From the Manager. A DADE may not administer Aircraft Dispatcher Practical 

Tests at locations outside the geographic area of the CHDO unless approved by the CHDO 

manager. This requirement is discussed in greater detail in Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 1.

G. DADE May Not Administer More than One Test at a Time.

1) A DADE may not administer more than one Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test at 

a time.

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2) A DADE may not administer any portion of the practical test to more than one 

applicant at the same time.

H. A DADE May Not Administer More than Two Practical Tests Per Day Without 

Written Permission from the FAA Managing Specialist. A DADE may not conduct more than 

two practical tests in a single calendar-day (i.e., midnight to midnight), unless that DADE has 

received specific written permission from the FAA managing specialist. Initial tests, retests, 

discontinuances, or continuations of practical tests are all considered practical tests. Prior to 

granting permission, the FAA managing specialist will take into account how many hours in total 

the DADE is estimated to spend testing applicants in a single day. Prolonged periods of time 

spent administering multiple practical tests in a single day could contribute to fatigue, which 

could lead to degradation of the quality of testing.

I. A DADE May Not Allow Observers During the Test. A DADE may not allow 

observers while he or she is administering the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test, except as 

described in Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 4.

J. A DADE May Not Administer the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test to Any 

Applicant the DADE has Provided Instruction to in Any of the Subjects Contained in

Part 65 Appendix A. This is necessary to ensure adequate and objective evaluation of the 

applicant by the DADE.

K. A DADE May Not Test Applicants Who Have Not Successfully Completed an 

FAA-Approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course Without Specific Authorization.

1) A DADE may not test an applicant attempting to qualify to take the Aircraft 

Dispatcher Practical Test based on the experience outlined in part 65, § 65.57(a)(1), (2), or (3),

without written authorization from the FAA managing specialist. The specialist will not grant 

permission without first having determined that the applicant’s documentary evidence of 

experience is satisfactory. (See also Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 4.)

2) A DADE may not test an applicant attempting to qualify to take the Aircraft 

Dispatcher Practical Test based on the experience outlined in § 65.57(a)(4) without written 

authorization from the FAA managing specialist who must first obtain approval from the Air 

Transportation Division (AFS-200).

L. A DADE May Not Conduct Competency Checks. Aircraft dispatcher competency 

checks are a 14 CFR part 121 requirement. Section 183.25(f) limits a DADE’s authority to 

testing and certification in accordance with part 65.

13-178 GEOGRAPHIC LIMITS OF AUTHORITY. A DADE’s authority to administer the 

Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test is limited to the geographic area of responsibility of the 

managing CHDO. Any exceptions to this geographic requirement must be approved by the 

CHDO manager. (See also Volume 13, Chapter 3, Section 1.)

13-179 DADES WHO ARE OWNERS, OPERATORS, OR EMPLOYEES OF A PART 65 

AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER CERTIFICATION COURSE. When a DADE is also an owner, 

operator, or employee of an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course, the DADE 

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must be able to separate a course operator’s responsibility for compliance with part 65 from a 

DADE’s duties, responsibilities, and authority under the requirements of part 183.

A. Regulatory Responsibility in Accordance with Part 65. An owner, operator, or 

employee of an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course is responsible for 

regulatory compliance and is subject to approval and regulatory oversight by the Administrator.

B. Responsibility as a Representative of the Administrator in Accordance with 

Part 183. A DADE is a representative of the Administrator, and as such must always be 

conscious of that authority and the responsibility that goes with it. This is the case even when the 

DADE is not necessarily exercising the privileges of his or her designee authority, but instead is 

acting in the capacity of an owner, operator, or employee of an FAA-approved Aircraft 

Dispatcher Certification Course operator.

1) Must Maintain Conduct Befitting a Representative of the FAA. When acting 

in the capacity of an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course owner, operator, or employee, an 

individual who is also a DADE must maintain compliance with part 65, while continuing to 

conduct him or herself in a manner befitting a representative of the FAA.

2) May Not Act in a Manner That Reflects Poorly on the FAA. A DADE must 

not act in a manner that reflects poorly on the FAA, such as a failure to maintain a reputation for 

integrity and dependability within the aviation industry and community.

3) May Not Instruct and Test the Same Individual. A DADE who is also an 

instructor for an Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course may not administer the Aircraft 

Dispatcher Practical Test to any student the DADE has also provided instruction to. This is 

necessary to ensure adequate and objective evaluation of the applicant by the DADE. At no time 

may a DADE allow his or her affiliation with an FAA-approved Aircraft Dispatcher Certification 

Course to influence or conduct the outcome of the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test. (See also 

Volume 3, Chapter 63, Section 3.)

13-180 REFERENCES, FORMS, AND JOB AIDS.

A. References (current editions):

• Title 14 CFR Parts 1, 61, 65, 91, 110, 119, 121, and 183.

• Title 49 U.S.C.

• AFS-001-031, Air Transportation Designated Examiner Management Process.

B. Forms:

• FAA Form 8000-5, Certificate of Designation.

• FAA Form 8000-36, Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem Data Sheet.

• FAA Form 8060-4, Temporary Airman Certificate.

• FAA Form 8060-5, Notice of Disapproval of Application.

• FAA Form 8400-3, Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating.

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C. Job Aids. None.

13-181 DADE MATERIALS.

A. Materials. During initial training, the designee will obtain current editions of the 

following materials (restocked as needed) from the FAA managing specialist:

• FAA Form 8000-36, Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem Data Sheet.

• FAA Form 8060-4, Temporary Airman Certificate.

• FAA Form 8060-5, Notice of Disapproval of Application.

• FAA-S-8081-10, Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Standards (PTS).

• FAA Form 8400-3, Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating.

• Part 65, Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers, Subparts A, 

General, and C, Aircraft Dispatchers.

• Part 183, Representatives of the Administrator.

• Job Aids, as appropriate.

B. Access to Appropriate Information. Each DADE must have access to current 

Federal aviation regulations, FAA orders, and ACs, as well as any other appropriate information 

applicable to aircraft dispatcher certification. DADEs must have direct access to a computer with 

Internet access for the purpose of obtaining this information.

C. Use of the Integrated Airman Certification and/or Rating Application (IACRA).

A DADE may not use IACRA to process airman applications without first obtaining approval 

from the FAA managing specialist. If the FAA managing specialist approves the use of IACRA, 

he or she will list its use as a provision of the DADE’s LOA. Information related to IACRA can 

be found at the following Web site: https://iacra.faa.gov/iacra/default.aspx.

13-182 TESTING. All practical tests must be conducted in accordance with the Aircraft 

Dispatcher PTS. The DADE must notify the CHDO of all scheduled tests in advance. The FAA 

managing specialist will establish local procedures concerning types of required notifications and 

notification timetables.

13-183 TESTING FACILITIES. All DADEs must have access to testing facilities that are 

equivalent to those required by § 65.65 and Volume 3, Chapter 63, Section 3. Testing facility 

access is a DADE’s responsibility.

13-184 RELOCATION. If a DADE relocates outside of the CHDO geographic area of 

responsibility, the CHDO will terminate the designation in accordance with Volume 13, 

Chapter 3, Section 1, as it relates to “Termination Not-for-Cause,” since relocation is not a 

product of poor performance.

RESERVED. Paragraphs 13-185 through 13-200.

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