Consider the Different Roles related to FAA Parts Manufacturing Authority related to PMA approval between FAA MIDO and FAA ACO
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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the key roles and responsibilities of the FAA MIDO & ACO offices
Introduction
In the FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) process, both the Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) and the Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) play crucial but distinct roles.
In summary, FAA ACO is concerned with the design and engineering airworthiness, while FAA MIDO ensures that the manufacturing processes adhere to those designs and maintain quality standards in production. Both work together to safeguard that parts produced under PMA meet regulatory requirements for safety and performance.
FAA MIDO (Manufacturing Inspection District Office):
• Focus: Manufacturing Oversight
• Primary Role: The MIDO focuses on the manufacturing aspects of the PMA process, ensuring that the manufacturing organization is in compliance with the FAA's regulations and quality control standards.
• Key Responsibilities:
>> Quality Assurance Oversight: Ensures that the manufacturer has an acceptable quality control system in place and that they can consistently produce parts that meet FAA-approved design standards.
>> Initial Facility Inspection: Conducts on-site inspections of the manufacturing facility to verify that it meets the regulatory requirements (e.g., equipment, procedures, trained personnel).
>> Manufacturing Conformity Inspection: Verifies that the parts manufactured conform to the approved design. MIDO ensures that the production methods are consistent and parts produced under the PMA meet safety and quality standards.
>> Surveillance and Audits: Conducts regular surveillance, audits, and inspections to monitor continued compliance with FAA manufacturing regulations.
>> Issuance of Production Approval: After confirming that the manufacturer complies with all relevant regulations, MIDO works with the ACO to issue the PMA, focusing on production quality and consistency.
FAA ACO (Aircraft Certification Office):
• Focus: Design and Airworthiness
• Primary Role: The ACO is primarily responsible for the design approval aspects of the PMA process, ensuring that the part design complies with FAA airworthiness standards.
• Key Responsibilities:
>> Design Approval: Reviews and approves the engineering data submitted by the applicant to ensure that the design meets all applicable safety and airworthiness standards.
>> Test and Compliance Data Evaluation: Evaluate the applicant’s test data, analysis, and other documentation demonstrating compliance with applicable regulations, such as fatigue tests, material analysis, and safety performance.
>> Airworthiness Determination: Determines whether the design meets the FAA’s airworthiness standards under 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart K.
>> Coordination with MIDO: Works closely with MIDO to ensure that the manufacturing processes conform to the approved design specifications.
>> Issue of Design Approval: After reviewing and approving the engineering and design data, the ACO will issue the design approval portion of the PMA.
Collaboration Between MIDO and ACO:
• While MIDO focuses on production oversight and facility inspections, the ACO is responsible for design review and certification. The two offices work in tandem to ensure that both the design and production aspects of PMA meet FAA requirements.
• The ACO might issue the engineering design approval, and the MIDO ensures the manufacturing process aligns with the approved design.
• Once both aspects (design and manufacturing) are deemed compliant, the PMA is fully approved.
Next Steps
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