News and insights

Short, sourced notes on approvals, documentation and sourcing. Written so that a reader can check every claim against the regulation it comes from.

Approvals2026-10-01

Why your OEM part number may not appear in the FAA DRS

Official approvals are indexed by PMA part number, holder and aircraft type — not by the OEM number being replaced. Here is what that means when you are searching for an alternative.

In preparation

How to read an FAA 8130-3 airworthiness approval tag
The three PMA approval bases, side by side
What the FAA–CAAC Implementation Procedures change for part acceptance
Steel versus carbon brakes: where each one still makes sense
Counterfeit or approved? How to tell the difference before you buy