A Parts Manufacturer Approval or PMA granted by the FAA is a design and production approval to modify and/or manufacture replacement or alternative items. A PMA allows a manufacturer to create, design, fabricate, and sell these items for installation on certified aircraft. Normally, a company will pursue and obtain a PMA when a need arises in the market to provide an item that is either no longer available from another OEM or is not competitively available or obtainable.