An airplane is a highly complex machine depending on thousands or even millions of parts to fly safely. As part of its regulatory responsibility, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) works closely with industry to make sure that unapproved parts don’t threaten today’s all-time-high aviation safety record.
Many of the methods for designing and producing major aircraft products, such as airframes, engines and propellers, need specific FAA approval. The FAA grants approvals only after a stringent review of design criteria, facilities, processes and quality control systems. The agency continually monitors firms that have these production approvals to ensure they comply with regulations and the terms of their approvals.
Some approved parts don’t need specific FAA sanction. For example, the owner or operator of an aircraft can produce parts to maintain or alter their own product. Manufacturers often OK the use of “standard parts,†such as nuts and bolts, that meet specified industry-accepted criteria. Maintenance personnel also can make parts in the course of their aircraft repair work as long as such parts meet applicable design criteria. All these parts must comply with regulations and meet industry standards.
Aero-News Network
Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) Program
Many of the methods for designing and producing major aircraft products, such as airframes, engines and propellers, need specific FAA approval. The FAA grants approvals only after a stringent review of design criteria, facilities, processes and quality control systems. The agency continually monitors firms that have these production approvals to ensure they comply with regulations and the terms of their approvals.
Some approved parts don’t need specific FAA sanction. For example, the owner or operator of an aircraft can produce parts to maintain or alter their own product. Manufacturers often OK the use of “standard parts,†such as nuts and bolts, that meet specified industry-accepted criteria. Maintenance personnel also can make parts in the course of their aircraft repair work as long as such parts meet applicable design criteria. All these parts must comply with regulations and meet industry standards.
Aero-News Network
Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) Program
