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 48 years of aviation experience to include 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, 18 years in industry including executive positions in large repair stations and 26 years as FAA Aviation Safety Inspector. During his career, he worked in 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 General and Air-Carrier aviation and has extensive knowledge in aircraft maintenance and manufacturing disciplines. He is an expert with the FAA Policies and obtaining 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 with 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.