FAQ's
What is an Aviation Designee? The U.S. civil aviation regulatory body began authorizing private citizens to examine, test and inspect aircraft in 1927, essentially authorizing them to act as designees. Since then the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has expanded the program to include a host of designees and delegations. The types of designations issued by the FAA vary and include;
Designated Airworthiness Representative (DARF) - Manufacturing: A DARF is an individual appointed in accordance with 14 CFR § 183.33 who may perform examination, inspection, and testing services necessary to the issuance of certificates from a manufacturing perspective. Refer to the attachment below for a detailed breakdown of DARF function codes. A DARF may not be authorized to perform all function codes, and may be limited in others.
Designated Airworthiness Representative (DART) - Maintenance: A DART is an individual appointed in accordance with 14 CFR § 183.33 who may perform examination, inspection, and testing services necessary to the issuance of certificates from a maintenance perspective. Refer to the attachment below for a detailed breakdown of DART function codes. A DART may not be authorized to perform all function codes, and may be limited in others.
Designated Engineering Representative (DERT) - Consultant: A DERT is an individual appointed in accordance with 14 CFR Part 183.29. A Consultant DER may approve, or recommend approval of technical data for a client. A DART may not be authorized to perform all functions, and may be limited in others.
Designated Engineering Representative (DERY) - Company: A DERY is a company individual appointed in accordance with 14 CFR Part 183.29. A company DERY may only approve, or recommend approval of technical data for the company. If a company DER is assigned to work in a consortium, business arrangement (such as using other company’s DER's), partnership or licensing agreement, the DER’s managing office will define the limits of the DER’s authority. Both categories of DER's may be authorized with or without limitations in areas to include structural, powerplant, systems & equipment, radio, engine, propeller, flight analyst, flight test pilot, and acoustical. The FAA may also issue special delegations/authorizations as appropriate. Refer to the attachment below for a detailed breakdown of DER delegated functions.
Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representative (DMIR): A DMIR is an individual appointed in accordance with § 183.31 who possesses aeronautical knowledge and experience, is employed by a production approval holder (PAH) or a PAH’s approved supplier. Refer to the following attachment for a detailed breakdown of DMIR function codes. A DMR may not be authorized to perform all function codes, and may be limited in others.
Organization Designation Authorization (ODA): The FAA's ODA program expands the scope of approved tasks available to organizational designees; increases the number of organizations eligible for organizational designee authorizations; and was established by the FAA as a more comprehensive, systems based approach to managing designated organizations. Eligible organizations can be approved to perform Type Certification (TC), Production Certification(PC), Supplemental Type Certification (STC), Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) and Major Repair, Alteration and Airworthiness (MRA).
Documents
 DAR-F Manufacturing Function Codes |
| DAR-T Maintenance Function Codes |
| DER Delegated Functions and Authorized Areas |
| DMIR Function Codes |
