Before a new type of oil filter for a type certificated aircraft engine can be sold, what must the manufacturer obtain?

The correct answer is that the manufacturer must obtain Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) before a new type of oil filter for a type certificated aircraft engine can be sold. PMA is a form of approval that allows a manufacturer to produce and sell replacement parts for type-certificated aircraft. This process ensures that the parts meet the necessary safety and quality standards established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

PMA is specifically designed for parts that are not original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, thus providing a regulated pathway for manufacturers to create and sell replacement or modification parts, including components like oil filters. The significance of PMA is that it assures that the part is airworthy and compatible with the existing engine design.

While Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) are necessary for significant modifications to existing aircraft designs or to add new alterations, they are not required for every new part that is intended to be replaced, such as a standard oil filter. A Production Certificate is associated with the manufacturer’s ability to produce parts in series but is not specifically targeted at individual components like oil filters. Operational Permission does not apply in this context as it pertains more to exemptions or authorizations for specific operational purposes rather than the manufacturing and sales of parts.

Therefore, acquiring PMA