Aircraft Maintenance

With nearly 2,000 PMA (parts manufacturing approval) holders and more than 200,000 part numbers out there, it is hard to believe that there could be many more opportunities for new products and services. But, a good idea for an improvement to form, fit, and function shouldn't be quickly dismissed. While it can be daunting to take on such a project, there is plenty of help available from FAA and associations such as Modification And Replacement Parts Association (MARPA) in obtaining parts manufacturing approval.

By the numbers
According to Kevin Michaels, principal with AeroStrategy LLC in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the total market makeup of engine, airframe, and components available to PMAers is $1 billion out of $13 billion spent on maintenance materials; of this $1 billion, PMAers garner approximately $250 million in competitive PMA sales. Current sales of PMA parts is $200 to $250 million or roughly 20 percent of the total air transport spares market. While these figures do not include DER repairs or licensed PMA revenue, with only one-fifth of the market covered it would appear PMA manufacturers have room to grow.

If AeroStrategy's forecasts pan out, the available PMA market for all segments will double by 2008. Michaels' group cites higher customer acceptance of PMAs with a jump from 40 to 70 percent and an MRO demand growth of nearly 40 percent as the two main drivers affecting such a dramatic shift for the PMA side.

OEMs need not quake in their chocks as even a doubling of the PMA's take still will not alter much the reach OEMs have on the spares market.

MARPA, based in Apache Junction, Arizona, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the replacement parts industry. George Powell, president of MARPA, works closely with the FAA regarding PMAs, PMA holders, as well as regulations and revisions to those regulations that affect the PMA industry. Powell and the FAA know that PMAs are here to stay but there is still much work to be done to enhance the profile and acceptance of PMA parts.

'Standards for PMA have to be flawless,' says Powell. He explains that if there is a problem, the reaction from an error or failure is immediate and powerful from the NTSB, FAA, and OEMs. Powell offers that the PMA industry is no longer in its infancy with nearly 2,000 PMA holders. MARPA's mission, in part, is to move this maturing industry toward a more universal acceptance in the modification and replacement parts market, but knows there still will be challenges ahead. Currently, Powell is working with the FAA on a revision to Order 8110-42A, the document that drives the PMA process. 'It's a continual process,' says Powell, 'but the major change is readability and project specific certification plan.'

PMA or STC?
So you have an idea you would like to pursue the PMA process but don't really know where to begin or what you need? The Federal Aviation Administration's Aircraft Certification Service Products and Services Home Page www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft is a good place to start as it covers the definitions and guidelines.