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PMA

This category contains 202 posts

Demonstrating Eligibility

PMAs are unique, in that they are production approvals that also inherently include an eligibility (an installation for which the PMA is eligible).  The PMA application must identify the product onto which the PMA part will be installed (14 C.F.R. § 21.303(a)(1)).  Before 2009, the installation eligibility was required to be printed on the PMA … Continue reading

FAA is Updating Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC) Guidance

The FAA has released for comment Draft Order 8110.103C. This is an update to the Alternative Methods of Compliance (“AMOC”) guidance. AMOC are typically used when an airworthiness directive (“AD”) provides one resolution to a safety problem, but the AMOC applicant has another approach that achieves the same level of safety. One example would be … Continue reading

Safran Cabin Named in Unapproved Parts Notice

When a company known as an “OEM” violates the FAA production approval rules, it is important for the industry to take notice. The industry is filled with PMA companies that strive for compliance perfection on a daily basis. A recent FAA unapproved parts notice (“UPN”) issued against Safran Cabin highlights the importance of obtaining PMAs … Continue reading

Tariffs Could Create New Opportunities for PMA

U.S. tariffs on Airbus parts could help increase the competitiveness of FAA-PMA parts that do not have to pay U.S. tariffs. Continue reading

FAA Issues Revised Production Approval Guidance for Public Comment

The FAA has released for comment an updated draft of 8120.22B (Production Approval Procedures). It is open for comment through April 21, 2025. A cursory review shows that the in-line sample documents have been removed from the PMA section. This is an opportunity to ask the FAA to address some industry concerns, like directions that … Continue reading

FAA Issues Draft 8130.21J- Open for Public Comment

The new revision to 8130.21J is open for public comment Continue reading

PMA Parts Update: Aviation Maintenance Magazine

“The boom in the PMA parts market seems destined to continue.” That was one of the conclusions reported in Aviation Maintenance Magazine this week. Aviation Maintenance Magazine published its annual update on the PMA industry. James Careless’ article is titled “PMA Parts Update: The Industry is Still Booming” and the entire article paints a very … Continue reading

MARPA Needs Your Help!: Export Data Surveys

MARPA needs your help to continue our partnership with the Market Development Cooperator Program (“MDCP”) run by the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). This program helps MARPA to continue to fund and organize international education about PMA parts. If you’re not familiar with the program, the MDCP is a matching grant program of … Continue reading

PMA Education and Opportunities in Malaysia

MARPA continued in its global quest to improve PMA understanding with an aircraft parts safety seminar in Kuala Lumpur, today. MARPA joined with CAA Malaysia, FAA and ICAO to host the aircraft parts safety seminar. The seminar examined both unapproved parts and approved parts issues. The program was supported by the US International Trade Administration’s … Continue reading

MARPA issues White Paper on Illustrated Parts Catalogs, PMA and Copyright Law

MARPA has published a white paper explaining the intellectual property ramifications of sharing a page from an illustrated parts catalog in support of an FAA-PMA application. In order to produce an aircraft part in the United States, the producer typically needs to obtain design and production approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  A parts … Continue reading