Notice of Availability of Revision E to FAA Order 8000.95, Regarding Individual Designee Management Policy

Issuing agencies

Abstract

Revision E to FAA Order 8000.95, Individual Designee Management Policy, incorporates new FAA policy to address transition from the Designee Registration System to the Designee Management System (DMS) and aligns the Order with the DMS tool workflows. The revision updates several procedural descriptions to better match DMS workflows, including updates to automation for registering, enrolling, tracking, and recording designee training completions. The revision also changes the algorithm for the frequency of direct observation oversight intervals required of Flight Standards Service (FS) managing specialists, and updates email addresses and website links.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 180 (Friday, September 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 180 (Friday, September 18, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59295-59296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19106]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1218]


Notice of Availability of Revision E to FAA Order 8000.95, 
Regarding Individual Designee Management Policy

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Revision E to FAA Order 8000.95, Individual Designee 
Management Policy, incorporates new FAA policy to address transition 
from the Designee Registration System to the Designee Management System 
(DMS) and aligns the Order with the DMS tool workflows. The revision 
updates several procedural descriptions to better match DMS workflows, 
including updates to automation for registering, enrolling, tracking, 
and recording designee training completions. The revision also changes 
the algorithm for the frequency of direct observation oversight 
intervals required of Flight Standards Service (FS) managing 
specialists, and updates email addresses and website links.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scott Geddie, Policy and Oversight 
Integration Section, AVS-64, AVS ODA Office, Federal Aviation 
Administration, by telephone at 405-954-6897 or by email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#085b6b677c7c264f6d6c6c616d486e6969266f677e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4310202c37376d042627272a26032522226d242c35">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A proposed version of FAA Order 8000.95D, Change 1 published in the 
Federal Register and was available for public comment from November 24, 
2025 through January 23, 2026 (90 FR 53045, November 24, 2025). The FAA 
received 234 public comments. The comments were from various 
stakeholders, including educational institutions, industry 
associations, air carriers and commercial operators, and individuals. 
Organizations submitting comments included Aircraft Owners & Pilots 
Association, Angel City Flyers/Aero City Flyers, Aviation Services LLC, 
Aviation Suppliers Association, Beech Training, Chickasha Wings Inc., 
Experimental Aircraft Association, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, 
Magnolia Aviation, Minnesota Pilots Association, National Association 
of Flight Instructors, National Flight Training Alliance, Palouse Pilot 
Training LLC, Society of Aviation & Flight Educators Inc., SoCo Flight 
Ops, T/Two Inc., Texas Turbine Conversions Inc., The Boeing Company, 
Three Rivers Aero, United Airlines, Utah State University, and Vapor 
Global Aviation LLC. Though FAA submitted a proposed version of FAA 
Order 8000.95D, Change 1, for public comment, the agency subsequently 
determined that the number and scope of changes required a 
comprehensive revision of the Order.
    The proposed changes to FAA Order 8000.95D attracted a significant 
number of public comments. The comments addressed multiple key topics, 
including requirements for designee qualifications, examiner fee 
policies, oversight procedures, and the operational realities of flight 
training and certification. FAA has considered each comment and 
provides the following summary and responses in accordance with the 
rulemaking process.
    Supportive Comments. While most comments included suggestions or 
critiques, stakeholders such as Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association 
and National Association of Flight Instructors expressed support for 
the FAA's general intent to update, clarify, and improve designee 
management policy, even as they recommended focused revisions or voiced 
concerns regarding specific proposed changes.
    Five-Hour Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Make and Model Requirement for 
Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE). Multiple commenters, including flight 
instructor and examiner associations, flight schools, and individual 
DPEs, expressed concern regarding the proposed requirement that DPEs 
log at least five hours of PIC flight time in each make and model prior 
to administering practical tests in Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL) 
or Airplane Single Engine Sea (ASES). Examiner associations that 
commented include Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Experimental 
Aircraft Association, Minnesota Pilots Association, National 
Association of Flight Instructors, National Flight Training Alliance, 
Utah State University. Flight schools that commented include Angel City 
Flyers/Aero City Flyers, Beech Training, Chickasha Wings Inc, Magnolia 
Aviation, Palouse Pilot Training, LLC, SoCo Flight Ops, Three Rivers 
Aero, and Vapor Global Aviation. Commenters stated the requirement is 
operationally burdensome, would further constrain examiner 
availability, and exacerbate checkride delays, particularly for 
experimental and less common aircraft types. Some commenters pointed 
out existing regulatory framework already ensures examiner proficiency 
through category and class experience requirements, recent flight 
experience, and FAA oversight. Commenters reasoned that no safety data 
was presented to justify the necessity of a five-hour make and model 
requirement, and such a threshold is not a standard measure of 
proficiency elsewhere in FAA policy.
    FAA partially accepted these recommendations. The final language 
has been revised as follows: prior to administering a practical test in 
a single-engine airplane that is turbine-powered or having Simplified 
Flight Controls, the designee must have logged at least five hours of 
PIC flight time in that single-engine make and model. This make-and-
model requirement thus applies only to these higher-complexity 
aircraft. Broader make-and-model requirements for all single-engine 
airplanes were not adopted.
    Fee Collection and ``Reasonable Fee'' Definition. Stakeholders, 
including Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association and National Association 
of Flight Instructors, commented on proposed fee collection provisions, 
expressing concern over the prohibition on collecting any fee prior to 
determination of applicant eligibility, which could leave examiners 
uncompensated for preparation or travel should the applicant be found 
ineligible. In addition, they commented that the lack of a clear 
definition for ``reasonable fee,'' could lead to inconsistent 
application, complaints, and possible examiner termination for 
subjective determinations of unreasonableness.
    FAA partially accepted these concerns. The restriction on 
collecting fees prior to eligibility determination is removed from FAA 
Order 8000.95E.\1\ The policy regarding fee collection is addressed in 
FAA Order 8900.1, Flight Standards Information Management System, 
Volume 5, Chapter 2, Section 1, paragraph 5-222, which remains in 
effect. Regarding the definition of ``reasonable fee,'' FAA has 
determined that providing a specific definition is outside the scope of 
this policy revision.

[[Page 59296]]

FAA acknowledges this as an area for future consideration and 
discussion.
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    \1\ The original language regarding fee collection can be found 
in draft FAA Order 8000.95D, Change 1, Volume 3, Chapter 5, 
paragraph f.(8).
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    Limitation on Initial Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practical 
Tests Per Day. Several commenters objected to limits restricting 
examiners to accepting only one initial CFI application per day, to 
include retests or continuations of previously discontinued or 
unsuccessful exams. Commenters contended retests and continuations 
often require less time and effort than standard initial CFI exams. 
Also, the commenters stated that the limitation would further reduce 
examiner availability and increase certification delays.
    FAA accepts the recommendation to limit only complete initial CFI 
practical tests to one per day. FAA removed the restriction on 
conducting retests or continuations on the same day as a full exam.
    Authority and Oversight of Ministerial Functions. Aviation 
Suppliers Association commented that FAA should streamline oversight by 
allowing automatic pre-approval for ministerial designee functions such 
as the issuance of FAA Form 8130-3, Authorized Release Certificate, 
Airworthiness Approval Tag. The commenter stated that these functions 
posed a lower risk and required less oversight.
    FAA rejected this proposal. The policy intentionally provides 
Managing Specialists (MS) discretion to evaluate designees and 
individual situations based on risk. This risk-based approach supports 
safety and compliance, and remains unchanged.
    Elimination of the Designee System. A single commenter advocated 
for the elimination of designated representatives for flight testing, 
arguing this function should be inherently governmental.
    FAA rejected this proposal. Designated Engineering Representatives 
(DERs) and other designees are a critical component of the FAA's 
certification system, enabling efficiency and maintaining high safety 
standards. There are no plans to discontinue the use of DERs or other 
designees.
    Editorial changes. The FAA evaluated and incorporated multiple 
suggestions where commenters requested editorial changes and 
corrections, such as typographical errors and inaccurate references to 
other paragraphs, regulations, and other FAA policy.
    This Order is available to the public at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices">http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices</a>, on the Dynamic Regulatory System 
website at <a href="https://drs.faa.gov">https://drs.faa.gov</a>, and in the docket.

Scott A. Geddie,
Manager, AVS-64, Policy and Oversight Integration Section, AVS ODA 
Office.
[FR Doc. 2026-19106 Filed 9-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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