Company May Hire, Train Designated Airworthiness Reps

Representatives with Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, tell ANN it has achieved "Organizational Designated Airworthiness Representative" (ODAR) status with the Federal Aviation Administration. ODAR status allows the company to conduct in-house airworthiness inspections and approvals.

The recognition is especially noteworthy, Spectrum says, as it was achieved much earlier than is typical in aircraft development programs.

The ODAR appointment authorizes Spectrum to nominate, train and manage its own Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR). DAR specialists are responsible for determining design conformity and overall airworthiness for the aircraft’s structure, systems and component parts on behalf of the FAA. The Certificate was presented to the company by Steve Palmer of the FAA’s Manufacturing Inspection District Office located in Seattle, WA.

"This is a genuine honor for Spectrum," commented Linden Blue, Spectrum’s Founder and Chairman. "It represents a clear expression of the FAA’s confidence in our team and the company’s quality assurance system."

Spectrum’s Certificate of Designation reads, in part:

"...Spectrum Aeronautical. LLC has been found to have the necessary knowledge, skill, experience, interest, and impartial judgment to merit special public responsibility... with authorization to act in accordance with the regulations and procedures prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration..."

Spectrum associates K. "Dick" Vaughn and Juan Bailey, who were instrumental in developing the company’s ODAR program, noted that the FAA required rigorous proof that the company is able to maintain high standards of conduct throughout the certification process. Vaughn, who was named Spectrum’s ODAR Administrator, also noted that "this will be a boost to the pace at which we can move toward Type Certification."

The ODAR authorization came as a highlight during a design and certification review between members of the company’s development team and representatives from the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The review was conducted at Spectrum's development center near Provo, UT November 14 and 15.

Spectrum Aeronautical is the manufacturer of the six-to-nine place Spectrum S-33 "Independence" and the mid-size Spectrum S-40 "Freedom" business jets. FAA certification of the Independence is anticipated by mid-2009, with certification of the Freedom during 2010.

FMI: www.spectrum.aero