TAPS AVIATION
FAA DAR-T

Ken W. Thompson, the 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.

About TAPS

Ken W. Thompson, 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 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, 22 years in industry, executive positions in large repair stations, and 26 years as an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector. Recently, I was the recipient of the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. During his career, he worked in the Manufacturing Inspection District and Flight Standards District Offices and retired as a Senior Manager in the Civil Aviation Registry. During his career, he has worked in general and air carrier aviation and has extensive knowledge of aircraft maintenance and manufacturing disciplines.  He is an expert on FAA policies and obtains type certificates 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 about aviation regulation requirements (e.g., the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 14 CFR Chapter 1) and has testified numerous times as an expert witness in administrative law with the National Transportation Safety Board during his career.

Services & Certifications

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. Details of TAPS DAR-T privileges are on the DAR-T services page and include the following functions:

  • Issuance of Recurrent Airworthiness certificates for U.S. registered aircraft to include amended or replacement certificates, and special flight permits for propeller-driven airplanes, powered or unpowered gliders, turbojet-powered airplanes type certificated for both above and below a GTOW 85,000 pounds, rotorcraft and manned free balloons.

  • Issuance of recurrent Airworthiness Certificates in the Restricted Category to include amended or replacement certificates, and special flight permits for propeller-driven airplanes, powered or unpowered gliders, turbojet-powered airplanes type certificated for both above and below a GTOW 85,000 pounds, rotorcraft and manned free balloons.

  • Issuance of Recurrent Export Approvals for propeller-driven airplanes, powered or unpowered gliders, turbojet-powered airplanes type certificated for both above and below a GTOW 85,000 pounds and rotorcraft.

    Issuance of Recurrent Export Approvals for reciprocating turboprop/turboshaft and turboprop/turbofan engines.

    Issuance of Recurrent Export Approvals for propellers. 

    Issuance of Recurrent Export Approvals for articles.

  • Issuance of Recurrent Airworthiness Approvals for Domestic Shipment of reciprocating and turboprop/turboshaft and turbojet/turbofan engines.

    Issuance of Recurrent Airworthiness Approvals for Domestic Shipment of propellers.

    Issuance of Recurrent Airworthiness Approvals for Domestic Shipment of articles.

  • Ken has vast experience with aircraft certification in obtaining Production and Type Certificates; Parts Manufacturing Approvals and Technical Standards Order Approvals. Was a team leader on several FAA audits while serving as a Principal Inspector in the Minneapolis District Office.

    Ken also has in-depth experience both industry and FAA Aviation Inpsector of obtaining certificate in aviation maintenance and opertions to include Parts 121, 135, 137, 139, 141, 145 and 147. 

We thank you for your time and interest in TAPs.

Please feel free to contact us for any of the above aviation-related services or for consultation regarding other aviation-related issues we could assist with.