Authorizing Documents Management

Below is a high-level graphic depicting the authorizing document process.

Figure 5.1: Authorizing Documents Process

The documents created and issued by the FAA through WebOPSS are collectively referred to as “Authorizing Documents.”  These documents include but are not limited to the following:

• Operations Specifications (OpSpec), which are used to issue specific operations allowed to operators.
• Management Specifications (MSpec), which are issued to Program Managers who conduct fractional ownership operations under 14 CFR 0 91 K (14CFR 091K).
• Letters of Authorization (LOA), which are used to issue certain authorizations to 14CFR 091 operations.
• Letters of Deviation Authority (LODA), which are statements of conformance and limitations that applicants for deviations must give the FAA, as specified in 14 CFR § 21.605(a)(1).
• Waivers, which constitute relief from the specific regulations stated, to the degree and for the period of time specified in the certificate (Waivers do not waive any state law or local ordinance). 

Authorizing Documents are a collection of signed, legal documents used to administer Safety Standards and define the Provisions and Limitations within which an Air Operator or Agency may conduct business operations.  An authorizing document is considered a legal contractual agreement between the FAA and the Industry customer.

While the authorizing documents have different names and serve different purposes, the process of their creation is generally the same:

1. The system displays the available templates.  (For more information, see Template Library.)
2. A user (whether from the FAA or Industry) selects a template.
3. The user specifies the data necessary to complete the document.
4. The user digitally signs the document. 
5. WebOPSS validates the specifications and routes the document to the appropriate FAA personnel for approval.
6. If necessary, the FAA user returns the paragraph for further clarification.  Otherwise, the FAA user digitally signs the document.
7. The FAA user activates the paragraph.
8. WebOPSS notifies the originator that the document has been signed/activated.

Click the link to go to more information about managing Authorizing Documents.