ACO Engineer
Section 05: Delegation & Roles
Definition
An FAA engineer working in an Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) or Aircraft Certification Service directorate who is directly responsible for evaluating compliance data, managing certification projects, and making findings of compliance on behalf of the FAA. ACO engineers are FAA employees — not designees — who review certification plans, issue issue papers, evaluate test results, and approve type design data. When delegated functions are performed by DERs or ODA unit members, the ACO engineer provides oversight, accepts or rejects designee findings, and ensures the overall integrity of the certification basis.
Where This Shows Up
ACO engineers represent the FAA's direct certification workforce. They establish the certification basis, manage certification projects through the project-specific certification plan, coordinate with designees, and make final determinations on compliance. In the FAA system, ACO engineers work within directorates organized by aircraft type and geographic region (e.g., Seattle ACO for transport aircraft, Wichita ACO for small aircraft).
Primary Sources
Guidance on the type certification process including the roles and responsibilities of ACO engineers.
Regulatory framework within which ACO engineers perform certification activities.
Related Terms
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