Individual Designees Overview

These designees are private individuals who act as representatives of the FAA. Some of these designees are company employees who are authorized to act on behalf of the FAA only for their company, and some are independents who may work for any client.

Each of these individual designees regularly coordinates with a managing specialist within the FAA who provides oversight for the designee's activities within the Designee Management System (DMS)

The authority to designate Individuals as designees is contained in Title 14 CFR part 183, subparts B and C. These subparts contain sections 183.23 through 183.33, and outline the responsibilities of each individual designee type.

Engineering and Flight Test designees (DER) are responsible to find that a proposed aircraft design, i.e. the engineering data, complies with the published airworthiness requirements for the aircraft type. This approved engineering data is part of the aircraft's type design.

Manufacturing and Airworthiness designees (DMIR and DAR-F) inspect parts and entire aircraft to ensure that they conform to the approved engineering data. When the aircraft or the parts conform to their approved type design and are in a condition for safe operation, these designees issue the airworthiness approval.

Maintenance Airworthiness designees (DAR-T) perform examination, inspection, and testing services necessary for issuance of certificates and other approvals.

Operations and Maintenance designees issue certificates to people involved in the operation or maintenance of aircraft, such as pilots, and mechanics. Maintenance designees also include parachute rigger examiners.

Medical Examiners (AME) are licensed physicians who issue medical certificates to people involved in the operations of aircraft.

Control Tower Operator Examiners (DCTO-E) are air traffic control (ATC) tower operators employed by a nongovernmental agency who are authorized by the Administrator to accept applications for and conduct written and practical tests necessary for issuing Control Tower Operator (CTO) certificates for that employer under 14 CFR part 183.

Last updated: Tuesday, February 4, 2025