Owner-Produced Aircraft Parts: What the FAA Allows (Complete Guide for Aircraft Owners)

May 15, 2026

As aircraft age, replacement parts become harder—and often far more expensive—to find.

For many owners of personal aircraft and general aviation airplanes, the question eventually comes up:

“Can I legally make my own replacement aircraft part?”

The answer might surprise you.

Under specific circumstances, the FAA allows aircraft owners to produce certain replacement parts for certificated aircraft through what’s known as the Owner-Produced Parts rule.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

What owner-produced aircraft parts are
When they’re legal
FAA requirements for installation
The difference between OEM, PMA, and owner-produced parts
What aircraft owners and mechanics need to know

Why Aircraft Owners Are Looking for Alternative Parts

Most piston-powered general aviation aircraft flying today are 30–50+ years old, making replacement components increasingly difficult to source.

Aircraft owners often run into problems such as:

Discontinued OEM aircraft parts
Long lead times
High replacement costs
Limited salvage availability

In some cases, a replacement component may be unavailable at any price.

That’s where owner-produced aircraft parts can become a legal and practical solution.

What Are Owner-Produced Aircraft Parts?

An owner-produced part is a replacement aircraft component that an aircraft owner legally participates in producing for installation on their own certificated aircraft.

This exception exists under FAR 21.303(b)(2).

The key point:

The owner does NOT actually have to manufacture the part themselves.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions in general aviation maintenance.

According to FAA interpretation, the owner may work with:

An A&P mechanic
A machine shop
A repair station
A non-certified fabricator

—as long as the owner meaningfully participates in the process.

What Counts as “Owner Participation”?

To qualify as an owner-produced aircraft part, the owner must help control the:

Design
Manufacture
Quality of the part.

The FAA generally considers the part owner-produced if the owner does one or more of the following:

Provides Design or Performance Data

This can be as simple as:

Providing the original damaged part
Asking for it to be duplicated
Sharing approved drawings or specifications

Supplies Materials

The owner can:

Purchase material stock
Provide raw materials for fabrication

Participates in Fabrication or Assembly

This may include:

Supervising the manufacturing process
Helping direct fabrication methods
Participating in quality control

In short: the owner must actively participate—not simply buy an unofficial replacement part.

OEM vs PMA vs Owner-Produced Aircraft Parts

Understanding your options is important when sourcing replacement aircraft components.

OEM Parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

These are factory-produced parts built under the aircraft manufacturer’s original certification.

Pros:

Exact replacement
Factory traceability

Cons:

Expensive
Sometimes discontinued

PMA Aircraft Parts

PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) parts are FAA-approved replacement parts produced by third-party manufacturers.

To receive approval, manufacturers must demonstrate:

Equivalent fit
Equivalent form
Equivalent function
Proper quality control standards

PMA parts are often:

More affordable
Easier to source
Equal, or sometimes superior, to OEM components.

When Are Owner-Produced Parts Legal?

Owner-produced aircraft parts are generally legal when:

The part is for your own aircraft
You participate in production
The part conforms to approved data
A mechanic determines the repair is airworthy.

However:

Not every repair is treated the same.

Major Repairs vs Minor Repairs

Minor (Non-Major) Aircraft Repairs

Examples include:

Interior trim pieces
Fairings
Wing ribs
Cosmetic or non-structural components.

For these repairs:

Standard mechanic signoff
Logbook entry required

Major Aircraft Repairs

Examples include:

Wing spars
Primary control surfaces
Landing gear struts
Structural components affecting airworthiness.

These repairs require:

Inspection Authorization (IA mechanic)
FAA Form 337
Conformance to approved data.

Can an A&P Mechanic Manufacture Aircraft Parts?

This is another common misconception.

An A&P mechanic cannot independently manufacture replacement parts for sale or installation under normal circumstances.

However:

An owner may contract with a mechanic or machine shop to help produce a replacement part—as long as the owner remains involved in controlling the process.

This is why owner/mechanic collaboration is so important.

Documentation: How to Properly Log Owner-Produced Parts

The FAA recommends clear documentation.

Best Practice:

The owner documents:

The part produced
Approved data used
Their role in production

The mechanic documents:

Installation of the part
Airworthiness determination
Return to service approval.

This creates a clear compliance trail in aircraft maintenance records.

Best Practices for Aircraft Owners

Before pursuing an owner-produced aircraft part:

1. Talk to Your Mechanic First

Never assume your A&P will approve installation.

2. Confirm Approved Data Exists

Use:

Original part dimensions
Manufacturer drawings
Existing approved components

3. Understand Repair Classification

Determine whether the repair is:

Major
Minor

4. Document Everything

Proper records help avoid FAA headaches later.

Final Thoughts: Owner-Produced Aircraft Parts Can Be a Smart Solution

For owners of aging personal aircraft and general aviation airplanes, owner-produced parts can offer a legal and practical alternative when OEM or PMA parts are unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

The key is understanding the rules: