Federal Aviation 

Administration

Delegation and Designee Background

(www.faa.gov/news/stay_connected/) 

Before introducing a new aircraft into commercial service, a manufacturer must get 

certification by the FAA that an aircraft meets aviation safety standards. In programs 

lasting typically three-to five years, the manufacturers must supply FAA with detailed 

analyses and produce a prototype of the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 

was the original statute allowing FAA to delegate activities, as the agency thinks 

necessary, to approved private people employed by aircraft manufacturers. 

Although paid by the manufacturers, these designees act as surrogates for FAA in 

examining aircraft designs, production quality, and airworthiness. The FAA is 

responsible for overseeing the designees' work and determining whether the 

designs meet FAA requirements for safety.

The FAA system of delegation includes individual persons who are designated as 

representatives of FAA, and also organizations as designees that are responsible to 

entire certification programs.

Chronology of FAA Delegation Program

1927

First individual designees appointed. Fifty doctors appointed as Aviation 

Medical Examiners (AME (Aviation Medical Examiners)).

1938

Congress passed legislation specifically considering integration of the private 

sector into the certification process.

1940

First Designated Engineering Representatives (DER (Designated Engineering 

Representatives)), Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representatives (DMIR

(Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representatives)), and Designated Pilot 

Examiners (DPE (Designated Pilot Examiners)) appointed. (Individual designees)

1950

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Congress clarified the language for appointment of designees. One reason 

given for this clarification was "FAA was clearly in need of private sector 

expertise to keep pace with the growing aviation industry."

1956

First Delegation Option Authorization (DOA (Delegation Option Authorization)) 

appointed. (Delegated organizations for aircraft manufacture)

1958

The FAA Act of 1958, Section 314, gives the current legislative authority to 

appoint a wide variety of designees to issue certificates.

1962

Regulation for this legislation becomes 14 CFR part 183 (http://www.ecfr.gov/cgibin/retrieveECFR?n=pt14.3.183) .

1965

First Designated Alteration Station (DAS (Designated Alteration Station)) appointed. 

(Delegated organizations for aircraft modification)

1969

Scope of work for Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representatives (DMIR

(Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representatives)) increased

1973

Congress questioned the ability of the industry to work for FAA. Congressman 

Jack Brooks said, "... it appears the regulated are regulating themselves. Such 

a procedure is most unique and requires exceptionally critical oversight." At the 

same hearing, the Administrator suggested the Act "recognized the practical 

necessity of utilizing the technical capabilities of the private sector in 

administering the many complex certification programs required by law." The 

Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board noted, "... the safety 

problems involving delegation which have come to our attention have involved 

such isolated circumstances that, with one exception, it is difficult to apply any 

generalities to our findings. It is clear, however, that these problems have 

generally been related to the implementation rather that the concept of the 

program."

1978

Special Federal Aviation Regulation number 36 (SFAR36) organizations 

appointed. (Delegated organizations for aircraft repair)

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1979

The scope of work for DMIRs increased again.

1980

First Designated Engineering Representatives (DER) for Acoustics appointed. 

(Individual designees)

1983

First Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR) appointed. (Individual 

designees)

2009

Delegated organizations DOA, DAS, and SFAR36 terminated and first new 

delegated organizations, Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), 

appointed.

Each time the program expanded, regulatory notification provided justification for the 

expansion by saying service to the public by designees will be faster than service 

provided by FAA. Overall, government costs will be reduced. Amendment 8 to 14 

CFR part 183 suggests that, "... safety will be enhanced because FAA personnel 

relieved from tasks accomplished by Designated Airworthiness Representatives will 

be able to redirect their efforts to other areas affecting safety." The delegation 

system continues to grow in numbers of designees.

Page last modified: May 05, 2016 2:38:04 PM EDT

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