Aeronautical Science: Parts Manufacturer Approval - Research Paper Example

Aeronautical Science: Parts Manufacturer Approval Abstract This study seeks to suggest a research to be conducted on the process of Parts Manufacturer Approval written in short as (PMA). The study to be conducted would utilise both primary and secondary sources, the primary sources will include going into the field and collecting data through interviews, questionnaire and other relevant methods of collecting primary data. The secondary sources will comprise of the published works on the topic. Focusing on the FAA approved parts for installation on aircraft, the PMA approval process, and exceptions to the process of PMA. The data collected would be analyzed using the appropriate statistical technique to ascertain the effectiveness of the Parts Manufacturer Approval as far as the aircraft security is concerned. Basing on the results, a conclusion would be made in helping provide a clear understanding of the area of study in order to capture all the outcome programmes. Introduction Parts Manufacturer Approval written in short as (PMA) is a combined design, as well as production approval for the replacement and modification of articles (Gardner, 2004). The PMA often allows the manufacturer to produce, as well as sell the articles for installation on the type of certificated products. Parts manufacture approval (PMA) is often granted within the United States of America by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through providing a permit to manufacturers of parts to that need to be installed on aircrafts. The process of approval for parts involves the approval of design, as well as production of parts, used for replacement and remodelling aircrafts Parts manufacturing approval is an essential practice as it ensures that there is safety in the aviation industry (Hempe, 2008). It is worth noting that these parts are always substituted for the original manufacture parts of an aircraft, and therefore, if unqualified people are allowed to manufacture and /or replace the original parts, the safety of the aircrafts and the passengers will be at stake. This paper proposes a research to investigate the process of Parts manufacturing approval. The proposed research would cut across the process of PMA, the legal requirements, the exemptions to the general rule that govern the PMA among other issues relevant to the PMA. This research would help provide a clear understanding of the process of PMA, the legal the exemptions to the general rule that govern the PMA and other issues that deem relevant to the PMA. This study, as well intents at demonstrating the aspects of (a) critical thinking; (b) quantitative reasoning; (c) information literacy; (d) communication; (e) scientific and cultural literacy; (f) students understanding about the aviation legislation and law; (g) aviation safety and aviation management and operations. Statement of the Project To negotiate through the process of parts manufacture approval can be a daunting task, especially if one is not familiar with the procedures. Statistics show that there are about two thousands holders of parts manufacturing approval, and more than two hundred thousand part numbers. As such, one may not comprehend, or believe, that there are available opportunities for new products and services. There is a possibility to find assistance from the FAA and the Modification and Replacement Parts Association to seek parts manufacturing approval. I will explore into the part manufacturing approval process. The purpose of this study is to provide a clear understanding of the part manufacturing approval, the legal requirements involved, and provide an understanding and application of the management activities in the aviation operations. Significance of the study Parts manufacturing approval is essential as it ensures that there is safety in the aviation industry. These are the parts which are substituted for the original manufacture parts of an aircraft, and therefore, if unqualified people are allowed to manufacture and /or replace the original parts, the safety of the aircrafts and the passengers will be at stake. It is therefore, prudent to have a clear understanding of the process of PMA, the legal requirements, the exemptions to the general rule that govern the PMA among other issues relevant to the PMA. Program Outcomes Addressed Critical thinking. The student will apply knowledge at the synthesis level to define and solve problems within professional and personal environments. In this study meaningful research will be conducted by gathering information from both primary and secondary sources. I will demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge at a synthesis level in defining and solving problems within professional and personal environments. Parts manufacturing approval (PMA) refers to the approval that is granted to the manufacturers dealing in aircraft parts. This approval is granted by the FAA or the US Federal Aviation Administration. It is, therefore, illegal to make installation or replacement parts for aircraft in the US without the approval of the FAA. There are exceptions such as in the installation of parts for experimental aircrafts, parts manufactured for government, and those manufactured under the technical standard order authorization (Gardner, 2004). Possible Development and Generation Procedures It is possible to draw desirable approaches by revisiting the issues that underlie principles of generative procedures. The incorporation of parameters of Parts manufacturing procedure reveals that that procedures pertaining to form finding should not be approached based on the geometric relationships of desired objects. Instead, the principles that are embedded to the machining options should play the most crucial role. The eventual shape should be created based on the manipulation of the activities of the machines. This should be effectively achieved based on the positions and angles of the bit of the drill, relative to the block of material. This process of forms finding calls for the application of path planning processes that are relatively complicated. More so, it is easy to come up with a sculpted model, yet the milling constraints remain particularly important. This way, it is recommendable that the evolutionary algorithms for the evaluation of the appropriateness of each procedure is be considered as the priority. All these lead to the conclusion that the implementation of genetic programming has the potential of fulfilling the goals stated. This is because it has the capacity of evaluating the generation of the form, instead of their output. The other development approaches that are in the study entail upgrading generative procedure for the application of form finding. Creating and analyzing various case studies is extremely fundamental. This enables the designer to experiment with the technique of design in diverse scenarios. The second stage that is crucial when developing the design tool entails a series of Parts manufacturing processes that include testing for fabrication efficiency, prototype models and object fitness function. The designers should also make the upgrading on the study and genetic algorithm performance in different ways. This would involve appraising the fitness function for scores of objective optimization, which is crucial for this process. When genetic algorithm is proficient, the search of an optimum solution becomes rapid. For designers to achieve this goal, they should reconstruct the procedure and transient calculations on Graphic processing Unit through integration of CUDA programming into the language of processing. Additionally, the designers can also test GPU for conducting the intensity calculations that designers retrieve from graphic card hardware. Designers should also focus on the eligibility of other methods of digital manufacturing, especially, in large scale addictive fabrication processes entailing the application of robots. However, it is worth noting that high level languages have the ability of accomplishing complex tasks when integrated with the GPU. Nevertheless, the implication of using a low level language is that it comes with various advantages for the visual artists as it enhances the user-friendly interface (NVIDIA, 2007). Possible Development and Generation Procedures The incorporation of parameters of Parts Manufacturing procedure reveals that that procedures pertaining to form finding should not be approached based on the geometric relationships of desired objects. Instead, the principles that are embedded to the machining options should play the most crucial role. The eventual shape should be created based on the manipulation of the activities of the machines. This should be effectively achieved based on the positions and angles of the bit of the drill, relative to the block of material. This process of forms finding calls for the application of path planning processes that are relatively complicated. More so, it is easy to come up with a sculpted model, yet the milling constraints remain particularly important. This way, it is recommendable that the evolutionary algorithms for the evaluation of the appropriateness of each procedure is be considered as the priority. All these lead to the conclusion that the implementation of genetic programming has the potential of fulfilling the goals stated by this thesis. This is because it has the capacity of evaluating the generation of the form, instead of their output. The other development approaches that are in the study entail upgrading generative procedure for the application of form finding. Creating and analyzing various case studies is extremely fundamental. This enables the designer to experiment with the technique of design in diverse scenarios. The second stage that is crucial when developing the design tool entails a series of parts manufacturing approval processes that include testing for fabrication efficiency, prototype models and object fitness function. The designers should also make the upgrading on the study and genetic algorithm performance in different ways. This would involve appraising the fitness function for scores of objective optimization, which is crucial for this process. When genetic algorithm is proficient, the search of an optimum solution becomes rapid. For designers to achieve this goal, they should reconstruct the procedure and transient calculations on Graphic processing Unit through integration of CUDA programming into the language of processing. Additionally, the designers can also test GPU for conducting the intensity calculations that designers retrieve from graphic card hardware. Designers should also focus on the eligibility of other methods of digital manufacturing, especially, in large scale addictive fabrication processes entailing the application of robots. In the practice of architectural, flat plans and sections of drawings are not a key means of communication and representation with different clients. Currently media that is widely utilized for architecture deals with animations, three dimensional models, and visualization. The digital techniques of fabrication enhance direct materialization of designs that are virtually conceived in structural elements of buildings or models that are small scale. A transition like this one is considered to be finished possibly with the help of CAM/CAD tools software that enhance the changing from a draft that is computer aided to manufacturing that is computer aided whenever the technique of CNC is utilized. Models that are digital, require to be changed into a specific file whenever a 3d printing or other fabrication process is utilized. Tools of Parts Manufacturing Approval are extremely useful in architecture because of attainable building cost that could be mitigated especially a design that has increased complexity. Components that are unique need some type of structure rationalization constituents before they are converted into real building that is materialized. There are three types of rationalization. These include post-rationalization, pre-rationalization, and co-rationalization approaches. These approaches differ in terms of attitude that is generic in order to design and consider the role and time of optimization in the process of design. For instance the pre-rationalization sets a system that is compositional before the onset of the phase of form creation. A study conducted in the Beijing Aquatic National reported that the building structure relied on the Phelan-Weaire three-dimensional foam model computing that inspired the Parts Manufacturing Approval. Parts Manufacturing Approval uses approximately two primary cells that have minimum surface compared to the ratio of volume and equal volume. Even though the model was utilized as a water cube base structure during the development of the design, the structure transformed into a configuration that is structurally efficient, leading to a variety of building elements increasing the cost and complexity of production. Quantitative reasoning. The student will demonstrate the use of digitally-enabled technology (including concepts, techniques and tools of computing), mathematics proficiency & analysis techniques to interpret data for the purpose of drawing valid conclusions and solving associated problems. This will be achieved with the discussion on the enquiry’s methodology, research design, procedures and research context. The importance and significance of adopting the particular design and its appropriateness will be apparent in this particular study. The target population will be brought to light, the sampling procedure described and data analysis procedures will also be considered in the study. I will be able to demonstrate the ability to use digitally –enabled technology (that will include concepts, techniques, and tools of computing). Mathematical proficiency as well as analysis technique’s to help in data interpretation for the purpose of making valid conclusions and solving the problems associated. Information literacy. The student will conduct meaningful research, including gathering information from primary and secondary sources and incorporating and documenting source material in his or her writing. Comprised of the work that have been published in text about part manufacturing approval, the secondary data will be used for the purpose of the research. There are only two parts that are approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration. These are originally manufacturer parts (OME) and the part manufacturing approval. However, there are still more unapproved parts that find their way on to aircraft. Communication. The student will communicate concepts in written, digital and oral forms to present technical and non-technical information. There must be communications between the repair station making the PMA parts and the FAA for approval of manufactured parts. This has to do with the PMA process as well as the methods the repair station used to get approval. To get a PMA approval, there are two stage processes to be followed. The first thing to do is to get the data approval or the design approval. This is provided in the FAA engineering aircraft certification offices. To get the design approval, there are three methods that can be used namely licensing agreement with the OEM, identically method, or by designing and building own substitute part. (Office of the Federal Register (U.S.), 2011) The second stage of the PMA approval process comes after the design is approved via one of the three methods discussed above. It is the final approval which must be done by one of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s manufacturing inspection district officers. This is a group of people who are knowledgeable on manufacturing process and the techniques that are involved in production of the parts. Their responsibility is to investigate the ability of the manufacturer to produce the parts while still maintaining a high calibre quality control system (Gang Xiong, 2012) Scientific literacy. The student will be able to analyze scientific evidence as it relates to the physical world and its interrelationship with human values and interests. To demonstrate scientific literacy, scientific evidence that will be collected form the primary and secondary date will be scientifically analyzed. The analysis will help to solve the problem that affects the society in relation to the aircraft safety. For instance, scientific evidence about the effectiveness of some exceptions to PMA. Cultural literacy. The student will be able to analyze historical events, cultural artifacts, and philosophical concepts. Evaluated in this project; social and cultural impact of converting a closed military installation into a civilian airport. Also explored will be the historical significance of the closed military installation and the preservation of a social and cultural community. Life long personal growth. The student will be able to demonstrate the skills needed to enrich the quality of life through activities which enhance and promote lifetime learning. The study will not only be for academic purposes, instead it will have a significant impact on the quality of the life I hope to achieve with my degree in aeronautics and I will make important conclusions and help in solving the problems presented in the study. Furthermore, enrich the quality of life by engaging in activities that enhance and promote lifetime leaning. For instance, the findings of the study will be presented both in writing and orally. This will improve my presentation and communication skills. Aeronautical science. The student will demonstrate an understanding and application of the basic and thus advanced concepts of aeronautical science as they apply to the aviation/aerospace industry for solving problems. Aeronautical science will be imbedded throughout my project. A major point is to apprehend the process of approval from the FAA and Code of Federal Regulations. Fabrication of aircraft parts requires the ability to understand all the concepts involved. I will show how Aeronautical Science is embedded in all aspects. Aviation legislation and law. The student will engage and discuss to present an understanding and application of basic concepts in National and International Legislation and Law as they pertain to the aviation/aerospace industry. Implementing Aviation legislation and law is essential. Manufacturing aircraft components applies to the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Requesting certification falls under Title 14 (14 CFR) Part 21 Subpart K. Aviation safety. The student will compare and discuss in written and spoken formats an understanding and application of basic concepts in aviation safety as they pertain to the aviation/aerospace industry. In this project I will demonstrate how Aviation safety affects production of aviation components. Before delivering a component for approval critical investigations must take place to verify compliance of part. The project will embrace all entities of aviation safety in conformity with airworthy directives and standards. Research ethics applied Researchers are made to go through an array of ethical requirements. There is the need to meet professional, institutional, as well as standards for conducting any research related to human participants. In helping steer clear any ethical quandaries, this research would consider a number of research ethics. First, it would frankly discuss with participants the intellectual property. More often than not, academic competitive leads to trouble depending on who should be credited for authorship. The best way the researcher would consider in order to avoiding disagreements about who to be credited, and using which order, the researcher would talk about the issues at the start of the working relationship with participants and ensure they are put in writing. This will act as a tool to help discus and evaluate the contributions during the research process. Secondly, the researchers would be conscious of professionalism of participants by selecting professional architects who have are rich in knowledge, and practice in the field. This could be achieved by avoiding relationships that might tend to impair the researchers’ professional performances or could cause harm to others. However, they will have to take note that many multiple relationships between the researcher and participants are not ethical especially if they are not to have adverse effects. When recruiting the patients as participants in this study, the researchers would have to think carefully before joining the multiple relationships with other participants. In this case, the researcher would act as lab supervisor, as well as a mentor and make sure he or she does not abuse the power to differentiate him or herself with participants. The researcher would make sure he/she outlines the nature and structure of mentoring before mentoring begins. The third code of ethics to be upheld during the study would be to make sure the informed-consent rules are strictly followed. Doing this properly, the consent process would ensure that the participants voluntarily participate in the research when fully informed of the relevant benefits and risks. Fourthly, the researcher would have to consider respecting the confidentiality and privacy of the participants. In this respect, the researcher would be keen at not to question about any personal issues like family, origin or politics. Respecting individual rights to confidentiality, as well as privacy is a key tenet for every researcher. The researcher will, therefore, have to discus confidentiality limits giving participants information about how their data will be put into use and also know the law of the state, as well as taking practical security measures. Last but not least, the researcher would stare clear of restrictions about age, gender, ethnics or believes. This would ensure reduced biasness in the final outcome. Aviation management and operations. The student will present and illustrate an understanding and application of management activities as they apply to aviation/aerospace operations. I will show how using aviation management principles assist in the action of improving maintenance, accelerating turn times, and saving costs in aviation repair stations. Managing and operating will elevate company growth and economic wealth. By adapting to these fundamental actions companies will be able to grow with times and earn bigger profits. References Gardner, M. (2004, October 1). Parts Manufacturing Approval: Negotiating through the PMA process can be daunting but help is available. Retrieved on August 24, 2012, from http://www.aviationpros.com: http://www.aviationpros.com/article/10386444/parts- manufacturing-approval-negotiating-through-the-pma-process-can-be-daunting-but-help- is-available?page=2 Gang Xiong, Z. L. (2012). Service Science, Management, and Engineering:: Theory and Applications. Cananda : Academic Press. Hempe, D. W. (2008). Parts Manufacturer Approval Procedures. USA: Federal Aviation Administration. Wang, W. (2011). Reverse Engineering: Technology of Reinvention. USA: Taylor and Francil group . Office of the Federal Register (U.S.). (2011). Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Aeronautics and Space, Pt. 1-59, Revised as of January 1, 2011. USA: Government Printing Office. Read More