What are PMA parts?
"PMA" may refer to "Parts Manufacturer Approval," which is an approval issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that allows manufacturers to produce and sell aircraft parts. PMA parts are FAA-approved replacement aircraft parts that are manufactured by other than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
PMA parts have performance and quality standards comparable to OEM parts and undergo the FAA's rigorous certification process. This certification allows manufacturers to offer alternative parts and components suitable for civil aircraft, thereby increasing competition and providing more choice in the market.
For PMA parts, manufacturers must obtain approval through the FAA's process, demonstrating that their parts are equivalent in design, quality and performance to OEM parts. This helps ensure the safety and reliability of alternative parts while promoting competition and innovation in the market.