Avionics News February 2017 - 4

Need FSDO 337
Field Approval?

DAR Function Code 51 could be a quicker option

o perform a major alteration or repair on an
to qualified designated airworthiness representatives a
aircraft using Federal Aviation Administration
Function Code 51 rating that allows the DAR to approve
Form 337, you are required to use FAA-approved data
and sign Block 3 on FAA Form 337, just like it was an
in Block 8 on the 337. This approved data can come
FAA inspector signing the 337 to approve the data. It
from various sources. The most common is using an
is usually easier and quicker to work with a designee's
FAA supplemental type certificate for your
schedule than to rely on the timing that an FAA
make and model aircraft. Another is to hire
inspector can allocate to work on your project.
a designated engineering representative
At Wysong Enterprises, we have an
to analyze the work to be performed and
employee who acquired a Function Code 51
approve this data on FAA Form 8110-3. Or,
for avionics approvals last year. For equipment
you can go to your FAA Flight Standards
that is qualified in the FAA Job Aid for a field
District Office to request approval of the data
approval, we can now do Block 3 signoff of
you have, which is done by signing Block 3
the FAA Form 337 in-house. The FAA Job Aid
Steve Wysong
on the 337, thus a field approval.
is online at http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/other/
The problem that can surface with the
Major_Repair_Alteration_Job-Aid.pdf.
FSDO is whether the inspector is qualified to do your
As our employee does more of these field approvals,
field approval or has the time to reasonably complete
his limitations will expand and he will be allowed to
an evaluation of the format and the data on the 337 in
sign off the flight manual supplement, the same ones
order to meet your project delivery date. Field approvals
the FSDO inspectors can sign. Our FSDO inspectors in
are low on the FSDO inspector's priority list. The first
Nashville, Tennessee, have been extremely cooperative
is safety oversight of repair stations, and the second is
in allowing us to have a Function Code 51 rating. It frees
aircraft accident investigations. In addition, the inspector
up a lot of time, and we do not have to plead with them
may not be available for a dozen other responsibilities,
when we are getting close to our delivery. Also, when a
including their attendance at a training class.
last-minute change arises on the 337 or an error is found
Industry professionals sometimes complain about the
in the wording on the form, we don't have to go back to
FAA procedures and timing. But when those issues arise, the FAA to have Block 3 resigned on a 337. The FAA Job
we need to look outside the box to find other means
Aid is a useful tool to see what paperwork is required
to complete the task of delivering approved avionics
installations. In the last few years, the FAA has delegated
Continued on page 15

avionics news

february
february2017
2017

http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/other/Major_Repair_Alteration_Job-Aid.pdf http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/other/Major_Repair_Alteration_Job-Aid.pdf

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News February 2017