McFarlane's PMA flap motor breaks the OEM's decades-long monopoly

There are few parts in the GA piston fleet that are as fundamental as the 24-28V wing flap motor. All of Cessna's classic models, including the 152, 172, 177, 182, 206, 207 and 210 lines, use it. It also can be found across much of the Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron families. The takeaway? Tens of thousands of airframes have relied on one OEM part number, with one source, for decades. But on June 6, McFarlane Aviation announced FAA approval for the first ever aftermarket flap motor for these aircraft, PMA part AFC301002-0121, which is a direct replacement for OEM P/N C301002-0121. A third party is cleared to make this part under a Parts Manufacturer Approval, or PMA, the FAA's authorization for a company outside the OEM to build and sell a replacement for a certified aircraft. This new alternative matters because the aging fleet could use all the support available. These airplanes are typically privately owned or flown by small flight schools, where a certified budget part means more avgas for flying. What the flap motor actually doesA flap motor is the small electric actuator that drives the wing flaps up and down. It is not glamorous, and in light GA aircraft, many can get away with no-flap take-offs and landings. But with the flaps inoperative, the airplane is officially grounded until it's fixed. McFarlane's case for a better partMcFarlane says its version carries meaningful improvements over the original. The company reports it reduced the part's tendency to trip the aircraft's flap motor circuit breaker and increased its resistance to demagnetization of its permanent magnets. McFarlane also says its windings are sealed in varnish during manufacture, which locks the coil wires in place and improves their electrical insulation.The $300 questionThe OEM motor retails for approximately $1,497, while McFarlane's is $1,197. Until now MRO shops no choice but to buy from a single source. With a second option on the market, they can now choose the motor that best fits their needs and budget. Choosing to go with a third-party part is a personal choice, but McFarlane's solid reputation and FAA certification should check most boxes.What a second source means for the fleetA second source for a motor this widely installed means the aging piston fleet is no longer dependent on the OEM continuing production of the part. McFarlane says its motor is more durable, costs less and gives owners a shorter path to a replacement when one is needed. For a fleet that already spans more than half a century, that is a path that should be well taken.