What Is Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) and Why Is It Important in Aviation?

Need a new part now so your plane can take off? The Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) plays a big role. PMA is the FAA’s way of giving a company the green light to make and sell aircraft parts that can be safely used on FAA-certified aircraft. Certification means the parts meet safety and performance standards and are approved as replacements or modifications for specific aircraft.

Unlike Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, which are made by the original aircraft manufacturer or their suppliers, PMA parts are made by third parties. These manufacturers must prove that their parts meet or exceed the airworthiness standards of the original part manufacturer, both in design and in production quality.

This approval process combines two critical elements:

An executive at an aviation company might compare this to FDA approval for a generic drug. It's not the original brand, but it has to be just as safe and effective to be allowed on the market.

Why PMA matters in aviation

The significance of PMA in aviation goes far beyond regulatory compliance. It affects everything from aircraft safety to fleet maintenance costs, supply chain resilience, and even innovation.

First, PMA provides operators with alternatives to OEM parts, often at lower costs and faster delivery timelines. In an industry where downtime can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per day, the availability of reliable and affordable parts is essential.

Second, PMA helps mitigate supply chain disruptions. In times of OEM backlogs or obsolescence, FAA-approved alternatives keep aircraft flying. PMA suppliers often reverse-engineer components with improved materials or more modern designs, benefiting operators without compromising safety.

Third, competition spurred by PMA parts contributes to innovation and cost savings across the aviation sector. Many PMA producers specialize in engineering refinements or more durable alternatives that OEMs may overlook.

For instance, McFarlane Aviation, which recently acquired PMA Products, Inc., offers over 35,000 FAA-approved parts that support aircraft from brands like Piper, Beechcraft, and Cessna. These parts include everything from bearings and bolts to seals and fuel caps, often at more competitive prices than OEMs (McFarlane Aviation).

The FAA approval process: Design and production oversight

To earn a PMA, manufacturers must undergo a rigorous FAA approval process that includes both design and production evaluations. The process is governed primarily by 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart K, which outlines the specific requirements for Parts Manufacturer Approvals (FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA).

Step 1: Design data approval

There are a few ways to obtain design approval:

Step 2: Production system approval

Once the design is approved, the manufacturer must demonstrate the ability to consistently produce the part to those specifications. The FAA inspects the facility's quality control processes, documentation, tooling, and personnel training.

FAA Orders 8110.42D and 8120.22A provide additional detail on how the agency evaluates both new applications and changes to existing PMAs (FAA Order 8120.22A, FAA Order 8110.42D).

Regulatory framework: Key rules and documents

Several interlocking regulations and orders define the PMA landscape and ensure safety and quality across the board. These documents serve as the blueprint for manufacturers, engineers, inspectors, and legal teams navigating PMA processes.

Key regulations:

Supporting guidance:

Aviation executives may not need to memorize every CFR section, but it’s important to know that FAA PMA approval isn’t handed out lightly. It’s a regulated, highly structured process designed to ensure that replacement parts are just as safe and reliable as the originals.

Cost efficiency and supply chain stability

One of the biggest drivers behind PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) adoption is cost savings. FAA-approved PMA parts can be significantly less expensive than Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts—sometimes by as much as 30% to 50%. This is especially appealing for airlines and MROs (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul providers) operating under tight margins.

Beyond lower unit costs, PMA parts also reduce supply chain risk. Airlines aren’t limited to OEM supply schedules or pricing strategies, which can be rigid or monopolistic. PMA manufacturers often offer faster lead times, better inventory availability, and greater pricing transparency.

As McFarlane Aviation’s CEO Scott Still sums it up, PMA Products has a “long-standing reputation for providing high-quality FAA-PMA replacement parts,” including bolts, bearings, bushings, caps, gaskets, and more—components that are frequently replaced and often subject to supply pressure (McFarlane Aviation).

This flexibility enhances both operational resilience and financial predictability across the aviation ecosystem.

Myths and misconceptions about PMA parts

Despite the widespread adoption of PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) parts, misconceptions persist—especially among legacy operators or international stakeholders.

Myth 1: PMA parts are inferior to OEM parts

This is perhaps the most pervasive myth. In reality, PMA parts must meet or exceed FAA airworthiness standards to be approved. The FAA rigorously evaluates the design, testing, and production controls behind every part before granting PMA. PMA holders are also subject to FAA surveillance and audits to maintain compliance (FAA Order 8120.22A).

Myth 2: Using PMA parts voids aircraft warranties

This concern often comes from OEMs themselves, but courts have repeatedly upheld that using FAA-approved PMA parts does not invalidate airworthiness or violate warranties, especially in the U.S., where antitrust and competition laws protect the right to use alternate suppliers.

Myth 3: PMA parts are only for aging aircraft

While older aircraft do benefit from PMA availability, many newer platforms also incorporate PMA parts—especially high-usage commercial fleets. In fact, the PMA market is forecasted to grow from $247.8 million in 2024 to $389.03 million by 2032, driven by increasing demand across both commercial and regional sectors (Credence Research).

When is a PMA part a smart choice?

Choosing whether to use a PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) part often depends on the operator’s mission, budget, regulatory environment, and tolerance for risk—or perceived risk. For commercial airlines and large fleet operators, the financial upside is clear: lower acquisition costs, more predictable lead times, and reduced dependency on OEM monopolies.

Fleet size also plays a role. Operators with high cycle counts (such as regional jets or cargo aircraft) benefit from using PMA parts in high-wear systems like landing gear, fuel caps, seals, and engine hardware. These are precisely the types of components produced by PMA-certified manufacturers like PMA Products and McFarlane Aviation (McFarlane Aviation).

It’s also worth noting that certain PMA parts—especially those installed under the identicality basis (where they are materially identical to an OEM part)—require less engineering substantiation and thus faster FAA PMA approval timelines. These are low-hanging fruit for operators looking to make a cost-effective switch.

How PMA fits into the broader FAA approval framework

Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) is one piece of the FAA’s broader framework for design and production regulation. It falls under 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart K, which outlines the procedures for certification of parts and articles (FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA).

Other relevant FAA PMA certifications include:

Each pathway serves a different purpose. PMA specifically applies to aftermarket parts that can be produced independently of the OEM, often under equivalent or better quality assurance systems. The FAA evaluates the applicant’s design data, quality systems, and sometimes test results to ensure airworthiness (FAA Order 8110.42D).

In this framework, PMA acts as the bridge between innovation and regulatory trust—allowing for healthy competition without compromising safety.

How the PMA process drives innovation

One of the most underappreciated aspects of PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) is its role in fostering innovation. While OEMs tend to focus on entire platforms and major systems, PMA suppliers zero in on micro-problems that affect operators daily, problems such as premature part wear, unnecessary complexity, or excessive replacement costs.

By reverse-engineering legacy parts and gathering real-world performance data, PMA manufacturers can deliver smarter redesigns. For instance, a bearing or seal that wears out every 300 cycles in an OEM configuration might be reengineered using better materials or geometries that extend life to 500 cycles. These incremental improvements lead to significant lifecycle savings.

Some suppliers go further, integrating advanced production technologies like additive manufacturing or real-time inspection into their workflows—helping to both reduce cost and improve quality without sacrificing FAA compliance (MIT Management Sloan School). The FAA supports this via its advisory and oversight structure, encouraging quality enhancements within PMA-approved production systems (FAA Advisory Circular AC 21-43).

Case study: McFarlane Aviation’s acquisition of PMA Products

One clear example of PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) growing industry clout is the McFarlane Aviation’s acquisition of PMA Products, Inc.—a long-time collaborator and respected name in general aviation. For over 20 years, the two companies have worked together on manufacturing FAA-approved components for aircraft like Cessna, Piper, and Beechcraft, along with parts for PT6 turbine engines (McFarlane Aviation).

The acquisition brings together over 35,000 parts under McFarlane’s umbrella, including landing gear bolts, bearings, bushings, flight control hinges, fuel system gaskets, and engine components—all FAA-PMA approved. These are all high-cycle, high-failure-rate components that are critical to safe flight.

The move also aligns with McFarlane’s mission to provide cost-effective, durable solutions to the general aviation market—a sector hit particularly hard by OEM parts shortages and supply chain issues. This case highlights how PMA is fueling strategic, engineer-led growth and product improvement.

FAA oversight: The regulatory backbone behind PMA

Manufacturers applying for PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) must prove two things: that their part is airworthy and that their production system can consistently maintain that airworthiness.

This process is outlined in FAA Order 8110.42D, which defines the Parts Manufacturer Approval Procedures. The order outlines multiple pathways to approval, including tests and computations, identicality, and licensing agreements. Depending on the path, manufacturers may have to provide stress analysis, fatigue data, materials testing, or proof of dimensional tolerances compared to OEM specs (FAA Order 8110.42D).

Once approved, manufacturers are required to comply with ongoing quality system audits and are subject to periodic FAA inspections to verify continued compliance. These standards are further reinforced by FAA Order 8120.22A, which governs how production approval holders (PAHs) must operate, document, and improve their manufacturing processes (FAA Order 8120.22A).

Why PMA matters for airlines, MROs, and the green future of aviation

For airlines and MROs (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul providers), PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) parts are essential for parts availability and profitability.

Beyond offering comparable or superior quality and keeping pricing more competitive, PMA extends aircraft life with certified parts reducing the need for complete overhauls or early retirement. This is a subtle yet significant contribution to aviation’s circular economy principles.

PMA parts also directly support sustainability goals. They offer more durable and often more repairable components, which minimizes waste, conserves raw materials, and lowers the carbon footprint from manufacturing new parts. This also means fewer disruptions and more efficient operations, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable aviation industry (Credence Research, AeroKool Aviation).

PMA is the future of smarter aviation

Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) providers may be part of a secondary supplier network, but they are central to the evolving aviation manufacturing and MRO landscape.

It offers a proven framework for safety, quality, and innovation, regulated through rigorous FAA oversight and trusted by airlines, OEMs, and MROs alike.

From reducing costs and diversifying supply chains to delivering equal or even superior performance, PMA has earned its place in the aviation ecosystem. And with market growth projections estimating a $142 million jump over the next seven years, its foundational role is solidified (Credence Research).

Looking to reduce costs, strengthen your supply chain, and future-proof your fleet?Discover how FAA-approved PMA parts can transform your procurement strategy without compromising safety or performance. Talk to the experts at ePlaneAI today to get started →