FAR 21.316 — PMA Holder Responsibilities

FAR 21.316 spells out the ongoing duties of any holder of a Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) — the FAA approval that lets a company produce replacement and modification parts for type-certificated aircraft. While this rule sits squarely in the manufacturing world, pilots should know the basics because every approved replacement part on your airplane traces back to these requirements.

A PMA holder must:

• Update its organizational document (required by § 21.305) and send amendments to the FAA.
• Maintain the quality system under the approved data and procedures.
• Ensure each PMA article conforms to its approved design and is safe to operate.
• Mark each article per Part 45, including any critical parts.
• Identify sub-assemblies, components, and replacement articles leaving the facility with the manufacturer's part number and name, trademark, or other FAA-approved ID.
• Have access to design data needed to confirm conformity and airworthiness.
• Retain the PMA document and make it available to the FAA on request.
• Disclose delegations of authority to suppliers.

This is what gives you confidence that a PMA part installed on your aircraft is traceable, properly marked, and airworthy.