Key assembly factor specifically required for the stability of axonemal dynein heavy chains in cytoplasm. Interacts with PIH1D1; the interaction associates DNAAF10 with the R2TP complex (Probable). Interacts with several dynein axonemal assembly factors (PubMed:30428028). Mutants show ciliary loss with disappearance of axonemal dynein arms and diminishment of dynein arm heavy chains in the cytoplasm. They have reduced beat frequency and dyskinetic motion of the remaining ventral cilia.