scope:

Objectives and Scope. The DCB is created to informally coordinate the initial production of AFS policy guidance between the International Programs and Policy Division (AFS-50), Air Transportation Division (AFS-200), Aircraft Maintenance Division (AFS-300), Flight Technologies and Procedures Division (AFS-400), Flight Standards Training Division (AFS-500), Regulatory Support Division (AFS-600), Civil Aviation Registry (AFS-700), General Aviation and Commercial Division, (AFS-800), and the Flight Standards Certification and Surveillance Division (AFS-900) for the purpose of accelerating the process of creating and/or modifying new or existing policy documents. These documents include advisory circulars (AC), notices, orders, authorizing documents (e.g., operations specifications (OpSpecs), management specifications (MSpecs), letter of authorization (LOA)), handbook guidance, job aids, and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) documents. By utilizing a change management process, all policy divisions will meet on a weekly basis or as designated by the DCB Chair, to share their concerns and opinions about current and future policy issues and changes. Flight Standards has no expectation that all AFS documents will be handled by the DCB. The DCB will determine which policy and guidance documents will continue to be managed separately from the DCB. The DCB's primary function is to review and provide preliminary approval of documents that involve or impact more than one AFS division. The goal is to provide an informal coordination arena for joint AFS policy review at the beginning of the production process rather than at the end of the formal production review process. Each Headquarters policy division and each regional AFS division office will provide at least one DCB member. DCB representatives are to discuss their ideas and work together to address matters of concern in order to promote a quicker formal review of guidance, policies, authorizations, and proposed regulations. As noted in FAA Order 1320.1, by circulating an early draft for review by perspective users through an informal coordination process, an office of primary responsibility can gain support and input from the directive. This informal coordination process can reduce the amount of time divisions spend reviewing documents during formal coordination and the delays involved in resolving non-concur comments received during the formal document review process.

Purpose of This Order. This order establishes the Flight Standards Service (AFS) Document Control Board (DCB).