Production Approval Program

Manufacturing DAR responsibilities:

A. Production Certification (PC)

B. Approved Production Inspection System (APIS)

C. Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSOA)

D. Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA)

Provide preparatory service prior to start of items A to D such as:

Setting Expectations.

Dos and Don’ts.

Up Front Planning.

Having the applicant and designees understand their responsibilities.

Having the applicant understand the FAA’s expectations.

Discuss Airworthiness Certification requirements.

Discuss involvement of the FAA.

Provide an overview of the certification process. Discuss the FAR and policy requirements.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Manufacturing DAR in a Production Approval Program:

Act as the Production Approval Program manager responsible for the following certification activities:

Represent the applicant and participate in progressive Production Approval meetings with the FAA.

Provide FAA regulatory, policy, and certification protocol guidance to the applicant.

Review the applicant’s established Quality Control System (QCS) if it meets the FAR and policies. This may include the review of the Quality Control Manual (QCM), Approved Production Inspection System (APIS), or Fabrication Inspection System (FIS).

Provide written recommendations to make the QCM, APIS, or FIS consistent with the requirements of the FAR and FAA policies.

Use the re-written or corrected QCM, APIS, or FIS to conduct a quasi FAA ACSEP evaluation of the organization to determine the functionality of the manual. Provide written findings and recommendations. Conduct follow-up review after incorporation of suggested corrective actions.

Assist the applicant in preparing for a FAA audit/evaluation.

Assist the applicant in re-writing or correcting the QCM, APIS, or FIS to incorporate suggestions of the FAA as the result of the audit/evaluations.