Aircraft Spare Part: Which is the Best Source of Aircraft Parts?

By alleywho • January 18, 2012
Aircraft owners spend thousands of dollars on aircraft repairs and maintenance. The maintenance and the repairs are important because they ensure that the aircraft is airworthy and it flies efficiently. The replacement of old and worn parts is an important part of the aircraft repair and maintenance. The parts could be Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or used. It is important that you ensure that these parts are genuine because counterfeit parts could lead to plane crashes. It is important that you know the best source of aircraft spare parts as this will ensure you get a genuine aircraft spare part and that you get value for money.
You could get your aircraft spare part straight from the manufacturer. This option is advantageous in that you will be sure that you are getting the genuine article. The greatest drawback of this option is that you will get OEM parts only and this will cost you a lot more. You could get your spare part straight from a reputable aircraft salvage yard. This is however only practiced if you are near such a yard, otherwise you will spend a fortune on logistics. Yet another option is getting the part through such professionals as your aeronautical engineer for a fee. Such professionals know where to get the best parts. This option also gives you unparalleled convenience. You could also enlist the services of an aircraft parts broker.
Another option is having custom made aircraft spare parts. This is an expensive option, but it ensures that you get a part that fits perfectly and it is the only option if other parts will not fit. Never force parts into place since this could lead to structural problems. One of the best options is getting the spare parts through a supplier. Suppliers have large catalogues that enable you to choose from parts by different manufacturers, meaning you are more likely to get value for money. The supplier you go for should however be approved by the relevant regulatory bodies and should have such approvals as BSI/ISO approvals and JAR 145 approval if you are to be sure that the parts you are getting are genuine.