Certification Delegation Models

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.

DERs are appointed in specific engineering disciplines corresponding to the technical areas in which they demonstrate expertise. The principal types are: Structures DER (static and fatigue analysis, damage tolerance), Systems and Equipment DER (electrical, hydraulic, flight controls, avionics installations), Powerplant DER (engine installations, fuel systems, fire protection), Flight Analyst DER (performance, handling qualities analysis), Flight Test Pilot DER (flight test evaluations), Acoustics DER (noise certification), and Radio DER (communications and navigation equipment approval). Each type has a defined scope documented in the appointment letter.

An individual designated by the FAA under 14 CFR 183.33 to perform examination, inspection, and testing services necessary to the issuance of airworthiness certificates. DARs may be authorized for manufacturing (DAR-F) or maintenance (DAR-T) functions. A manufacturing DAR inspects new or modified aircraft and issues original or amended airworthiness certificates, export airworthiness approvals, and related documentation. A maintenance DAR performs inspections and may return aircraft to service after major repairs or alterations.

An FAA authorization granted under 14 CFR Part 183, Subpart D, that allows an organization to perform specified certification functions on behalf of the FAA. Unlike individual designees (DERs and DARs), an ODA is an organizational authorization: the company itself receives the authority, and it manages internal unit members who perform the delegated functions. The ODA is managed through an ODA Unit that includes an ODA Administrator, ODA Unit Members (engineers, pilots, inspectors), and supporting procedures documented in the ODA Procedures Manual.

An individual within an ODA who is authorized by the ODA holder to perform specific delegated certification functions. Unit members are employees or contractors of the ODA organization who have been vetted, qualified, and appointed by the ODA Administrator. Their authority to make findings, issue approvals, or perform inspections is derived from the organization's ODA authorization, not from individual FAA appointment. The ODA Procedures Manual defines the qualifications, training, and oversight requirements for unit members.

An EASA approval granted under Part 21, Subpart J, to an organisation that has demonstrated its capability to design or modify aeronautical products in compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements. The DOA holder is granted privileges to approve certain design data without direct EASA involvement, including approval of minor changes (under Part 21.A.95) and minor repairs (under Part 21.A.431B). For major changes and major type certificate activities, the DOA prepares compliance data and its CVEs verify compliance, but EASA retains final type certificate approval authority.

An EASA approval granted under Part 21, Subpart G, to an organisation that has demonstrated its capability to manufacture aeronautical products, parts, and appliances in conformity with applicable design data. The POA holder operates a production quality system, performs conformity inspections, and is authorized to issue EASA Form 1 authorized release certificates for parts and appliances produced under the approval. The POA must maintain coordination with the Design Approval Holder (DAH) to ensure manufacturing conforms to the current approved design.

A TCCA-authorized organization under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR Part V, Division 2) that holds delegation to perform design approval functions on behalf of the Minister of Transport. The DAO operates under a Design Approval Organization Procedures Manual and employs authorized persons who make findings of compliance with applicable airworthiness standards. The DAO framework enables Canadian design organizations to approve modifications, supplemental type certificates, and other design changes within their scope of authorization.

A TCCA-authorized organization under the Canadian Aviation Regulations that holds approval to manufacture aeronautical products in conformity with approved design data. The PAO operates a quality system and is authorized to issue conformity certifications for products produced under its approval. The PAO framework is comparable to the EASA POA and the FAA Production Certificate holder.

An engineer within an EASA Design Organisation Approval (DOA) who is authorized by the DOA holder to verify that design data demonstrates compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements. CVEs are appointed by the Head of Design Office and must possess the necessary competence, experience, and authority to perform compliance verification independently. They review compliance documents, test reports, analyses, and supporting data, and they sign compliance verification reports confirming that the evidence substantiates compliance with each applicable requirement.

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.

The boundaries placed on designated individuals and organizations regarding the types of certification activities they may perform, and the requirement that those performing delegated functions exercise independent technical judgment free from undue organizational pressure. Delegation limits are documented in appointment letters (for DERs), authorization letters (for ODAs), or the Design Organisation Handbook (for DOAs). Independence means that the person making a finding of compliance or airworthiness determination must not be subject to commercial, schedule, or management pressures that could compromise the integrity of their technical judgment.

A document issued by an authorized person or organization that certifies a part, component, or appliance has been manufactured, inspected, and/or tested in accordance with approved design data and is in a condition for safe operation or installation. The specific form depends on the jurisdiction: FAA Form 8130-3 (Authorized Release Certificate / Airworthiness Approval Tag), EASA Form 1 (Authorized Release Certificate), or TCCA equivalent documentation. The authorized release certificate attests to conformity with design data and condition for safe operation, but it is not an approval of the design itself.

A determination by an authorized person or organization that a design, analysis, test plan, or technical report demonstrates compliance with applicable airworthiness regulations. Engineering approval is distinct from an authorized release certificate: an engineering approval addresses whether the design meets the regulatory requirements, while an authorized release addresses whether a manufactured article conforms to the approved design. Engineering approvals are made by DERs, ODA unit members, CVEs (within DOA), or FAA/EASA/TCCA certification engineers.

A conformity statement (or conformity inspection record) documents that a test article, prototype part, or production item physically conforms to the approved design data and drawings. In the FAA system, conformity inspections are performed before certification testing to ensure the test article accurately represents the type design. FAA Form 8100-1 (Conformity Inspection Record) documents this determination. Conformity is distinct from both engineering approval (which addresses design adequacy) and authorized release (which addresses production parts for installation). Conformity inspection ensures that what is being tested or delivered matches the approved drawings, specifications, and process requirements.

The mechanisms by which certification authorities delegate specific approval privileges to qualified individuals or organizations, enabling them to perform certain certification activities on behalf of the authority. Delegation reduces the authority's direct workload while maintaining safety oversight. Each jurisdiction has evolved different delegation structures reflecting its regulatory philosophy.