The FAA issued an Unapproved Parts Notification Tuesday covering 3D printed aircraft accessories produced and sold by Michael Graham, doing business as MadeByMike3D. The agency said Graham sold the articles between May 2024 and August 2025 for installation on type-certificated aircraft without FAA approval or authorization.
The list consists primarily of cockpit and interior accessories, including cup holders for Beechcraft Bonanza, Debonair and Grumman aircraft, headset holders, windshield shades, defroster vent components and yoke grips. The notice does not identify engine, propeller, structural or aerodynamic components, and the FAA did not report that any of the listed 3D printed products had failed or caused an incident.
The issue centers on the articles’ approval status. FAA rules generally require a Parts Manufacturer Approval for replacement or modification articles produced for sale and installation on type-certificated aircraft, although exceptions exist for items such as owner-produced parts. The FAA is asking owners, maintenance organizations and parts suppliers to inspect aircraft and inventories for the MadeByMike3D articles and quarantine those found in inventory until their eligibility for installation can be determined.
I am sure my airplane will crash and burn because I have a cup holder on the console…what next, the FAA won’t let me have a box of tissues or a barf bag?
I am sure all those Jill-Johns are FAA certified as well.
The FAA makes a distinction between something that gets “permanently attached” to your aircraft and something that is removable. Seems like a better comparison should be a RAM mount for an ipad or a camera mount. Pilots use these items on all sorts of planes
I understand the reasoning behind the restrictions of Certified airplanes - but sometimes it does seem a bit absurd. I am so very happy I now own/fly an Experimental class Vans RV. So much easier and less expensive to maintain that Certified.
WHANKINSON: Coming from the Certified aircraft world, I can attest that the flexibility/freedom of Experimental class planes is amazing!
As long as these items are not permanently mounted by drilling holes and are accounted for in weight and balance, then in pt91 there is nothing illegal about that. Pt135 is a different story. Anything that was not original equipment from the manufacturer requires FAA approval from that operators POI for pt135 ops.
Is a part produced by the owner’s 3D printer an owner supplied part? Is the software used forbidden?
Is there a list available of FAA approved footwear which can legally contact my rudder pedals?
I see a good quantity of well-deserved sarcasm here. Good job readers -keep it up. Maybe some day a ‘lick of sense’ will prevail with the alphabet boys.