AAI: How To Build & Maintain A Long-Term Relationship With A Reliable Aircraft Parts Distributor

This post is courtesy of Aircraft Accessories International.

The challenge of keeping an aircraft in airworthy condition hinges on having the right parts at the right time. Getting your hands on hard-to-find parts can be frustrating, which is why it’s important to find an aircraft parts distributor who is reliable, dependable, and able to get you the parts you need when you need them. 

In this article, we’re going to talk about why maintenance managers like yourself need reliable, long-term partnerships with parts suppliers, how to spot a trustworthy supplier, key factors influencing part availability, and questions you should ask when “shopping around,” for distributors.

Key Factors that Influence Part Availability

Getting hard-to-find parts can be a challenge. There are a lot of things that influence part availability, including:

• Manufacturing lead times and production cycles
• Overhaul schedules and part refurbishment
• Global supply chain challenges and disruptions
• Labor shortages
• Traceability and documentation

Additionally, out-of-production aircraft can also be an issue. Once the aircraft is no longer produced by the manufacturer, they typically do not support many of the parts required to keep the aircraft airworthy.

Benefits of a Long-Term Relationship with an Aircraft Parts Distributor

Let’s say you send a plane in for routine maintenance and expect to have it back in a week. After all, the problem it has isn’t that complicated. However, you get a call that, after inspection, it looks like several parts need to be replaced, which could take weeks or even months. What do you do now?

This is the problem that a lot of maintenance managers have. The entire process of locating, ordering, and receiving certified aircraft accessories is a huge headache. The good news is that when you have a long-standing relationship with a reliable parts supplier, a lot of these problems go away.

Here are some benefits of having a long-term relationship with your parts supplier:

You save time. This is probably pretty obvious, but when you have a “go-to” for certified parts, you spend less time doing countless Google searches and making a bunch of phone calls that may or may not end in you getting what you need.

Consistency and reliability. When you already have an established relationship with a distributor, you know what to expect. This reduces downtime and keeps operations running smoothly. 

Reduced costs. You already know time is money. When you have an aircraft that’s grounded for a long time, you’re losing money. When you have a reliable parts supplier, you can avoid taking more time to find the parts you need, because you already know you have someone you can count on.

Questions to Ask a Potential Aircraft Parts Distributor

When you’re looking for a parts distributor, there are some things you can ask to determine who will be a good partner.

Here are some questions you can ask to narrow down your options:

What certifications do you hold?

A reputable repair station will protect you against parts that can damage an aircraft. If you ask a repair station what certifications they have and do anything other than show them to you, that’s a red flag.

Do you hold specialized repairs?

It’s important to find a facility that can do specialized repairs. Depending on the aircraft in your care, different problems may present in different ways and finding a parts distributor who can rise to the occasion is crucial. Get more information about specialized repairs in our blog.

How do you quote aircraft parts exchange and overhaul?

Knowing how a shop quotes their work is important since there are generally a few ways to purchase aircraft parts. AAI does outright purchase, exchange, and allows you to send your part in for service. Read more about how to read parts quotes in our blog.

What are your payment terms?

You get what you pay for, especially with aircraft parts repair and overhaul. When you’re looking for a repair shop, make sure you familiarize yourself with parts quotes and payment terms. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If you get over-inflated prices or a shop that isn’t transparent with lead times, that’s a red flag. Make sure you’re familiar with characteristics of a reputable shop so you can avoid getting scammed, overcharged, or poor quality parts.

AAI is an FAA Certified and EASA Authorized Repair Station in Georgia

At AAI, we know you want certified parts for your aircraft. Cutting corners or sacrificing quality is not an option. You are responsible for the safety of everyone who boards your aircraft. When you work with us, you’re working with a company that is certified and trustworthy.

We don’t focus on “market” price. Instead, we know the margins we need to operate, which allows us to price transparently and pass saving to the customer. Additionally, we prioritize having a rapid response with customers, so they don’t have to wait any longer than needed to get answers. When you call us, you’ll talk to a real person, never a robot.

Detailed, thorough, and expert work is required to get the job done the right way. At AAI, we know your ultimate goal is to get your plane fixed so you can fly. That’s why we go above and beyond to help you avoid extra costs by creating repairs and manufacturing the parts on your aircraft that are prone to corrosion and wear, like landing gear components.

Challenger maintenance and overhaul requires quick turnaround times. You don’t want a hangar full of planes propped up on jacks, creating a traffic jam for everyone trying to maneuver around them. AAI completes landing gear inspections and repairs in-house so that parts get turned around quickly and you can return your aircraft to normal operation.

Do you have questions about AAI’s process or available parts? Contact us for more information and be sure to sign up for our Frequent Flyers Email Newsletter to get our articles, updates about industry events, and links to our favorite online content delivered right to your inbox every month.