Quick answer

A PMA part is a replacement or modification part made under an FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval, which the FAA describes as a combined design and production approval. PMA parts are marked “FAA-PMA” and can be an approved alternative to original equipment parts, but eligibility for a specific aircraft and acceptance by non-US authorities still have to be confirmed.

What a Parts Manufacturer Approval is

PMA is governed by 14 CFR part 21, subpart K. The FAA approves both the design of the article and the system used to produce it, so a PMA holder is a production approval holder for the parts it is approved to make.

PMA approvals are searchable in the FAA’s Dynamic Regulatory System, which lets buyers confirm that a part number and its eligible applications are listed under the holder’s approval.

How PMA parts are identified

Under 14 CFR 45.15, each PMA article must be marked with the letters “FAA-PMA”, the holder’s name, trademark, or symbol, and the part number. A PMA part number is usually different from the original equipment part number it replaces.

Compare the marking, the release documentation, and the approval listing. They should all point to the same holder and part number.

PMA versus OEM in practice

Operators choose PMA parts for availability, lead time, or cost, and many maintenance programs accept them. Others restrict them by contract, lease return conditions, or internal engineering policy.

Neither choice is automatically right. Agree on whether PMA parts are acceptable before the RFQ goes out, so quotes are comparable and nobody discovers a lease or warranty restriction at installation.

Using PMA parts outside the United States

Acceptance outside the US depends on the importing authority. For EU operators, EASA accepts US PMA parts only in defined cases, such as parts that are not critical components, parts produced under a licensing agreement with the type certificate or STC holder, or parts covered by an EASA STC held by the PMA holder. The 8130-3 must carry the matching statement, and EASA says forms without one should be refused.

For operators in Latin America and elsewhere, ask the operator’s quality department which approvals its authority accepts before ordering PMA parts.

Frequently asked questions

What does PMA mean on an aircraft part?

PMA stands for Parts Manufacturer Approval, an FAA design and production approval for replacement and modification parts. PMA parts are marked “FAA-PMA”.

Are PMA parts as good as OEM parts?

PMA parts are FAA-approved for the applications listed in their approval. Whether an operator uses them depends on its maintenance program, contracts, and the authorities it answers to.

Are PMA parts accepted outside the US?

Not automatically. EASA, for example, accepts US PMA parts only in specific cases with the required statements on the 8130-3. Confirm with the operator’s authority before ordering.

Authoritative sources

This guide provides general procurement information and is not legal, customs, engineering, or airworthiness advice.

14 CFR Part 21, Subpart K: Parts Manufacturer Approvals 14 CFR 45.15: Marking requirements for PMA articles, TSO articles, and critical parts FAA: Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) EASA FAQ: FAA Form 8130-3 statements for importing US PMA parts