Increases Authority Of In-House Inspectors

The FAA has granted Boeing Organization Designation Authorization, giving the plane maker the ability to conduct design reviews, oversee testing to ensure all applicable product standards are met, and sign off on certification. The designation will take effect August 31st following training and readiness reviews.

The Seattle Times reports that the new designation extends the authority previously granted to Boeing by the FAA, in which much of the oversight and inspections work is the responsibility of over 400 in-house inspectors. While they are appointed and approved by the FAA, the inspectors report their findings primarily through an internal organization.

The new safety oversight plan allows Boeing engineers to perform such tasks as signing certificates which approve new designs, as delegated by the FAA.

FAA will set up the Boeing Aviation Safety Oversight Office to monitor the internal certification process. The oversight office will conduct audits and review the written reports generated by the inspectors. It will eventually grow to 30 new employees as the system is phased in.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.boeing.com