Re: What are these EASA Acronymns?
[FONT="]Dear Catnap, in an attempt to give you help I tried to summarize the basics information you requested. Since I work in EASA environment, I have a limited knowledge of the FAA system then, if you need to go deeper, I suggest you to move to more competent persons in FAA field for all related matters. Please find below my answer:[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Supplemental Type Certificate[/FONT][FONT="] provides approval of major changes to the type design developed by a design organization other than the Type Certificate Holder. I.e. if you intend to install a swimming pool or a bowling alley on your Airbus A330, as long as such modifications are not covered by an Airbus Modification, you have to seek for a Design Organisation approved under Sub J which has entered into an arrangement with the type-certificate holder and has developed a major changes to the type design and the type-certificate holder has advised that it has no technical objection.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]As long as an STC is not needed for minor changes to the type design there is no relationship between them.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) [/FONT][FONT="]is a combined design and production approval, under FAA rules, for modification and replacement articles. It allows a manufacturer other than the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to produce and sell these articles for installation on type certificated products. The PMA system allows for demonstration of compliance of the article with the applicable airworthiness standards under the “identicality principle” (usually for articles produced under licence agreement from the FAA Design Approval Holder). ref. FAA Order 8110.42 at latest revision.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]PMA parts may be parts needed to embody an STC. In Europe PMA parts are eligible to be installed on EU Type Certificated products provided that:[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
·[FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]The PMA part is not a critical components, or[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
·[FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]It has Produced under licensing agreement from the FAA design approval holder, or[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
·[FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]It is needed for a design change or STC.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]Refer to EASA policy in ED Decision 2007/003/C for more info.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]Type Certificate [/FONT][FONT="]is the design approval issued by EASA to aerospace manufacturers after it has been established that the particular design of a civil aircraft, engine, or propeller has fulfilled the applicable regulatory requirements. The type-certificate covers the product, including all parts and appliances fitted thereon.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]ETSO[/FONT][FONT="] (European Technical Standard Order) authorisation represents one way to have parts and appliances approved. This is an optional step which ensures that a part or appliance complies with a minimum performance standard. European Technical Standard Order authorisations are covered by Subpart O of Part-21 which is the Annex to Regulation 1702/2003.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]ETSO are usually designed under Alternative Procedures to Design Organisation Approval (ADOA).[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]Under the FAA system, the Technical Standard Order (TSO) is one of the procedures the FAA uses to establish standards for aircraft parts. TSOs have been established for many types of aircraft parts such as engines, landing gear parts, environmental system components, and many avionics.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]If there are no TSO categories established for the part that the manufacturer wants to sell, the manufacturer can still get FAA approval by testing the part in the actual aircraft type where it is to be used. To accomplish this, the part must first be conformed to the design drawings by a FAA-designated inspector to insure it meets type design. Then it will be installed and tested in accordance with a FAA-approved test plan. Upon successful completion of the tests, submittal of the appropriate documentation, and verification of a FAA-approved manufacturing system for the part, the FAA will issue a letter identifying the part as eligible for installation under PMA for the specific airplane type in which it was tested. The PMA part may then be installed in the aircraft via STC or TC.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]Regards[/FONT]