As an aircraft owner, you're always looking for ways to save money on maintenance and repairs. One option that can be both cost-effective and rewarding is to produce your own parts. However, before you start tinkering away in your garage, it's important to understand the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations governing owner-operator produced parts (OOPs).
In this blog post, we'll provide an overview of OOPs, including the eligibility requirements, the approval process, and the responsibilities of both the owner and the mechanic. We'll also discuss some of the benefits and challenges of producing your own parts.
What are OOPs?
OOPs are parts that are designed and/or manufactured by the owner or operator of an aircraft for installation on that aircraft. This can include anything from simple machined parts to complex composite structures.
Eligibility requirements
Not all aircraft owners are eligible to produce their own parts. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
The aircraft must be certificated in the normal, utility, acrobatic, or commuter category.
The parts must be minor alterations or repairs.
The parts must not affect the flight characteristics of the aircraft.
You must have the necessary skills and experience to produce the parts safely.
Approval process
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you must obtain approval from the FAA before you can install OOPs on your aircraft. The approval process varies depending on the complexity of the parts. For simple parts, you may only need to submit a statement of conformity to a designated maintenance inspector (DMI). For more complex parts, you may need to submit an engineering analysis and/or obtain a parts manufacturing approval (PMA).
Responsibilities of the owner
As the owner of the aircraft, you are ultimately responsible for the safety of the OOPs. You must ensure that the parts are designed and manufactured in accordance with FAA regulations. You must also keep records of the design, manufacturing, and installation of the parts.
Benefits of producing OOPs
There are several benefits to producing your own parts. These include:
Cost savings: OOPs can be significantly cheaper than commercially available parts.
Customization: You can design OOPs to meet your specific needs.
Supply Chain: There's a great sense of satisfaction in being able to control your own inventory.
Challenges of producing OOPs
There are also some challenges to producing OOPs. These include:
Regulations: The FAA regulations governing OOPs can be complex and difficult to understand. ( We are here to help)
Skills and experience: You need to have the necessary skills and experience to produce safe and airworthy parts.
Tools and equipment: You may need to invest in specialized tools and equipment.
Conclusion
Producing your own aircraft parts can be a rewarding experience. However, it's important to understand the FAA regulations and the challenges involved before you get started. If you need any assistance, please reach out to us. We would love to help you down this path.
Additional resources
FAA Advisory Circular 20-62E, Change 1: https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/ac%2020-62e.pdf
FAA Advisory Circular 43-18: https://www.cessnaflyer.org/magazine/article-archives/maintenance-technical/item/984-owner-produced-parts-regulations-interpretations-and-applications.html
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