About Taps

Ken W. Thompson, an owner/operator of TAPs, is a Maintenance Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to perform various services on behalf of the FAA. 

Ken has over 50 years of aviation experience, including general aviation, corporate aviation, air-carrier aircraft, aircraft maintenance experience, manufacturing type certificate, and TSO/PMA approvals. He also holds FAA Inspection Authorization (I.A.) and Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) privileges.

Ken is highly knowledgeable of the aviation regulation requirements (e.g., the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 14 CFR Chapter 1) and has served numerous times as an expert witness in administrative law with the National Transportation Safety Board during his career.

The privileges granted by the FAA allow us to support the aviation industry through various services, such as issuing Standard and Restricted Airworthiness Certificates, Special Flight Permits, and Import and Export certificates for products and articles.