A DER is a person designated by the FAA to approve major repairs and major alterations on behalf of the agency. [Credit: Shutterstock]
Key Takeaways:
Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) are FAA-appointed individuals who approve engineering data for major aircraft repairs and alterations, providing crucial solutions when OEM parts are unavailable, costly, or have long lead times.
DER repairs offer an FAA-approved and cost-effective alternative to new OEM parts, enhancing operational efficiency, supply chain resilience, and sustainability by enabling the reuse and repair of components.
While often generalized, DER approvals are specifically for *major* repairs and alterations, with repair stations capable of developing minor repair data without DER involvement.
The use of DER-approved repairs is becoming increasingly critical in the aerospace industry due to global supply chain issues, rising material costs, and OEMs removing repair data, making them essential for MROs to maintain aircraft serviceability.
I was at the Wall Street Deli in Greensboro, North Carolina, about to tuck into a lovely Souvlaki platter when my phone buzzed on the counter before me. Yes, I answered it. Business always comes first when you are in aviation. It was my customer, Josh Brien, then procurement manager at Genesis Aviation, and he was hyperventilating.
“Rick,” he said, “We have a problem.”
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Richard is a US Navy Veteran, A&P Mechanic, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumni. His experience ranges from general and corporate aviation to helicopters, business jets, and commercial airliners. Former owner of a 145 repair station, he currently has an aerospace product management role and is a member of the T-C-Alliance. Follow him on X (Twitter) at @RScarCo.
