Hi all; I assume that an FSDO is a FAA inspector, and I know what a DAR
is....but just what do those initials spell out to? Flight Standards District Office. The Inspector will either be an ASI = Aviation Safety Inspector (Airframe & Powerplant) or SPM = Safety Program Manager (one is the inspector, the other is his boss). DAR = Designated Airworthiness Representative; the civilian version of the ASI. ASI's have 4 divisions: Pilot/Certifications Operations (Part 91 & Part 121/135 Inspectors) ; Airworthiness; Avionics; Air Traffic Control. DPE = Designated Pilot Examiner; civilian version of the ASI Part 91 Inspector who among other things does check rides. How does this apply to KR's? It helps to politely ask what does the ASI or SPM do. If he is an ASI A&P, he is not your best source for a good answer for a question concerning Part 91 Reg interpretation. Ask to speak to an ASI for Part 91 Operations. They train for a complete year in Kansas City for this position (don't ask how I know this --- uuuuhhhgggggg), so they are very good at what they have been trained to know. Also most FSDO's have a duty desk that each ASI takes a turn at one day a week, several times a month. So just because he is an ASI answering the phone, does NOT mean he is schooled in all the ins and outs of your question. This may also explain why alot of pilots have gotten vague or incomplete answers from the FAA; it is not their field of expertise, not because they want to be vague on purpose. I have worked closely with FSDO 15 in Orlando Florida for a number of years and I still get the I don't know or I am not sure from an ASI or SPM, if it is something they are no schooled on or a division they don't handle. Colin Rainey brokerpi...@bellsouth.net
