PMA exists as a means of permitting qualified sources (other than the original Type Certificate Holder) to manufacture replacement components for commercial aircraft. This FAA approval authority (FAR 21.303) is clear. An FAA sub-directorate known and the Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) is responsible for approving all design data related to commercial aircraft. When an OEM develops a component, all design aspects related to that component are subject to the approval of the ACO. An OEM does not approve it's own components, the FAA ACO does. When Able develops PMA components we are subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as is the OEM. In many cases, our component designs are qualified and approved by the same FAA individuals who originally certified the aircraft.

PMA components are strictly designed, manufactured, tested and inspected to insure they are equivalent (and in many instances superior) to their OEM counterparts. You may ask how Able's PMA components can be superior to the OEM components. They say hindsight is 20/20. As an aftermarket component provider, we have the opportunity to analyze extensive component service data. With the operator's (and the FAA's) help, we design our components in a manner that eliminates known service difficulties. This can lead to additional reductions in operating costs.