Designated Airworthiness Representative

A Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) is a private person designated by the United States Federal Aviation Administration to act on its behalf in the certification of type certificated and amateur-built aircraft for the issuance of airworthiness certificates, special flight permits, import aircraft, export certificates for products and articles, conformity inspections and field approvals for repair and alterations. Most DARs have limited and/or certain "functions" authorized by the FAA based on their experience and technical background. A DAR [1] may charge a fee for his or her services.

There are two types of DARs,[2] DAR-T (FSDO) and DAR-F (MIDO.) A DAR-F primarily inspects/certifies new aircraft that have never been issued an airworthiness certificate (original certification.) A DAR-T inspects/re-certifies aircraft (recurrent certification.[3]) DARs work within their geographic region, a geographic expansion maybe obtained however starting in 2015 some of these expansion request have been denied due to national policy changes.

The aircraft owner or agent of aircraft owner may contact a DAR directly, the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) for assistance. Consult the DAR Directory for a DAR in your area.