PMA policy and approvals
An approved alternative is only useful if you can show where the approval comes from, what it covers, and which document releases the part. This section collects that reference material in one place.
Reference material
Browse by subject
United States
Parts Manufacturer Approval under 14 CFR Part 21 Subpart K (21.301–21.320).
CAACChina
Parts Manufacturer Approval under CCAR-21, including Chapter 9 and placarding requirements in Chapter 12.
EASAEuropean Union
European approval framework and where EASA documents sit alongside FAA and CAAC approvals.
BASABilateral agreements
How reciprocal acceptance between authorities affects where a part may be installed.
ABApproval basis
Identicality, test and computation, and licensing agreement — what each one means.
8130-3Release documents
How to read an airworthiness release certificate and what it does and does not confirm.
Primary sources
Every page in this section cites the regulation or guidance it draws on, so claims can be checked at the source rather than taken on trust.
| Jurisdiction | Regulation | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| FAA | 14 CFR Part 21 Subpart K (21.301–21.320); Part 21.502 acceptance of articles; Part 43; Part 45 Subpart B (45.10–45.16) | AC 21-43; AC 43-18; Orders 8110.42 and 8120.22 |
| CAAC | CCAR-21 (Certification requirements for civil aviation products and articles), Chapter 9 Parts Manufacturer Approvals, Chapter 12 placards and markings | AP-21-AA-2020-13; AP-21-AA-2019-31 |
| FAA / CAAC | Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (2005) with Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness | IPA FAQ published by the FAA |
| EU / China | EU–China Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement and its Annex on Airworthiness | EASA / CAAC Technical Implementation Procedures |
| Industry | IATA guidance on alternate parts and non-OEM repairs | IATA Guidance Material and Best Practices for Alternate Parts (PMA) and Approved (non-OEM) Repairs (DER) |
References are provided for orientation. The applicable revision in force at the time of approval governs; always confirm against the issuing authority's current publication.
Common questions
What is a PMA part?
A PMA part is a modification or replacement article approved by a civil aviation authority. In the United States it is approved by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 21 Subpart K; in China the equivalent is the Parts Manufacturer Approval issued under CCAR-21.
Is a PMA part a "copy" part?
No. A PMA holder holds an approval for the design and production of that article. An unapproved or counterfeit part holds no such approval. The distinction matters: one is a legal alternative, the other is not.
Why can I not find my OEM part number in an official database?
Official databases are indexed primarily by the PMA part number, holder and the aircraft make and model — not by the OEM part number the PMA replaces. So a search on an OEM part number may return nothing even when an approved alternative exists. This is precisely the gap our cross-reference is built to close.
Looking for an approved alternative to a specific part?
Enter the OEM part number. If an approved alternative exists in our source network, we will tell you what it is, who holds the approval, and what document comes with it.