Designated Engineering Representative
DERSection 05: Delegation & Roles
Definition
An individual appointed by the FAA Administrator under 14 CFR 183.29 to act as a representative of the Administrator in examining, testing, and inspecting aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, and accessories, and to issue approvals on behalf of the FAA for engineering data, including type design data, approved data packages, and related technical reports. DERs supplement the FAA's certification workforce by providing engineering findings of compliance.
Where This Shows Up
The DER system allows the FAA to leverage private-sector engineering expertise to handle the volume of certification activity. DERs act independently as individuals and are accountable directly to the FAA. Their authority is limited to specific delegated functions defined in their appointment letter, and they must maintain independence from organizational pressures that could compromise their findings.
Primary Sources
Federal regulation establishing the authority, qualifications, and responsibilities of designated representatives including DERs.
Comprehensive guidance for DERs and the FAA personnel who manage them, covering appointment, delegation, supervision, and termination.
Artifacts Produced
FAA-issued document defining the specific functions, product types, and limitations for which the DER is authorized to act.
A document in which the DER states that a specific design, test, or analysis complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements.
Across Jurisdictions
14 CFR Part 183, Subpart C
FAA-appointed individual authorized to approve data and make findings of compliance in specific engineering disciplines. Types include structures, systems/equipment, powerplant, flight analyst, flight test pilot, acoustics, and radio DERs.
Part 21, Subpart J (DOA)
EASA does not have a direct individual-delegation equivalent to DERs. Instead, Compliance Verification Engineers operate within a Design Organisation Approval (DOA). The DOA holder appoints CVEs to verify compliance, and the DOA itself holds the privilege to approve data.
CVEs are employees of the DOA holder, not individually appointed by EASA. Their authority flows through the organization rather than through personal delegation.
CAR Part V, Division 2; TCCA Staff Instruction SI 183-001
TCCA appoints design delegates under the Canadian Aviation Regulations to perform compliance determinations on behalf of the Minister. Similar in concept to FAA DERs but governed by Canadian regulations.
TCCA delegates operate under a somewhat different administrative framework but fill the same functional role as FAA DERs.
Related Terms
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