Designee Management System (DMS)

Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 183 is the statutory authority that describes the requirements for designating private persons to act as representatives of the Administrator in examining, inspecting, and testing persons and aircraft for the purpose of issuing airman, operating, and aircraft certificates. These private persons are called designees and their function is vital to enhancing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) public service role and improving overall safety in the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA appoints designees to provide airmen and aircraft certifications, conduct inspections, and other services to the public in accordance with FAA policy, guidance, and regulations on behalf of the FAA Administrator. 

Based on a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office (audit GAO-05-40) stating there should be one comprehensive system to manage all designees across Aviation Safety, the FAA developed the Designee Management System (DMS). The DMS standardizes the management lifecycle process of designees and provides the official repository of applicants along with oversight of appointed designees. 

The FAA is publishing this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) in accordance with Section 208 of the E-Government Act of 2002 because DMS collects and maintains personally identifiable information (PII) from applicants trying to become designees and appointed designees. In addition, designees may enter information on airmen who are seeking to qualify for a certification.