An ODA is an organization or company that the FAA has granted designee authority related to issuing certificates, testing, inspection, or necessary actions required to issue a certificate on behalf of the FAA administration. This post will focus on how ODAs began and the three most common types.
How it began:
During the FAA reauthorization act of 2003 congress passed a section entitled “Design Organization Certificates”, which mandated the FAA deputize designers, so that the designers “would certify compliance with the requirements and minimum standards… for the type certification of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, or appliances.” We try our best to stick to the facts but the speculation as to why congress decided this was necessary was due to commercial aviation lobbying. The idea was floated that the FAA was slowing the process down due to understaffing and they (private industry) should be allowed to certify under the watching eyes of the FAA.
Types of ODAs:
Type Certificate (TC):
TC ODAs are only available to organizations that have a TC. This type of ODA allows the organization to manage and make findings for TC projects. There are limitations though, they cannot issue original TCs nor Amended TCs those reserved for the FAA.
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC):
STC ODAs may develop and issue Supplement type certificates. This type of ODA can consist of consultant groups, repair stations, and manufacturers. There is no requirement that the group or company already have an STC, just the knowledge and experience.
Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA):
PMA ODAs are only available to current PMA holders. With this ODA a company can issue PMA supplements based on Test and Computations, STC, or licensing agreements.
Summary:
The criteria for obtaining the three most common types of ODAs varies a little but experience and knowledge is required for all. The FAA has high standards for ODAs (and DERs) as they perform functions on behalf of the FAA. While Prime Propulsion is not an ODA, we do have DER on staff, contact us today to learn more about our services!
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