FAR 21.310 — PMA Inspections and Tests
FAR 21.310 explains FAA inspection and test rights for PMA applicants and holders, including supplier facilities and pre-inspection compliance requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 21.310 governs how the FAA inspects and tests articles produced under a Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA). While this rule mostly affects manufacturers rather than pilots directly, understanding it helps you appreciate how the parts on your aircraft are quality-controlled.
The regulation requires that:
- Every PMA applicant or holder must allow the FAA to inspect their quality system, facilities, technical data, and manufactured articles.
- The FAA may witness tests anywhere in the production chain — including at supplier facilities — to confirm compliance with the airworthiness subchapter.
- Before presenting any article to the FAA for inspection or test, the manufacturer must have already shown compliance with § 21.303(b)(2) through (4) (the design, production, and quality requirements).
- Once that compliance is shown, the manufacturer cannot modify the article before the FAA inspection or test takes place.
This ensures the FAA evaluates the exact article that the manufacturer certified — preserving the integrity of the approval process and, ultimately, the safety of the parts installed on certificated aircraft.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.310§ 21.310 Inspections and tests.
(a) Each applicant for or holder of a PMA must allow the FAA to inspect its quality system, facilities, technical data, and any manufactured articles and witness any tests, including any inspections or tests at a supplier facility, necessary to determine compliance with this subchapter.
(b) Unless otherwise authorized by the FAA, the applicant or holder—
(1) May not present any article to the FAA for an inspection or test unless compliance with § 21.303(b)(2) through (4) has been shown for that article; and
(2) May not make any change to an article between the time that compliance with § 21.303(b)(2) through (4) is shown for that article and the time that the article is presented to the FAA for the inspection or test.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under FAR 21.310, what must a PMA applicant or holder allow the FAA to do?
Per FAR 21.310(a), the applicant or holder must allow the FAA to inspect its quality system, facilities, technical data, and any manufactured articles, and to witness any tests — including those at supplier facilities — necessary to determine compliance.
Q2Can a PMA holder modify an article after showing compliance but before the FAA inspects it?
No. FAR 21.310(b)(2) prohibits making any change to the article between the time compliance with § 21.303(b)(2) through (4) is shown and the time the article is presented to the FAA for inspection or test.
Q3What must be shown before a PMA applicant presents an article to the FAA for inspection?
FAR 21.310(b)(1) requires the applicant to first demonstrate compliance with § 21.303(b)(2) through (4) for that article before it can be presented to the FAA, unless otherwise authorized.
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Related Sections in Part 21