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Aircraft Engines and Engine Parts Basics

Know aircraft engines and engine parts basics

By Cathy Salustri
You can buy new or used aircraft engines and engine parts, but where can you get them? When should you buy new aircraft and engine parts and when should you buy used aircraft engine parts? Where can you get aircraft parts information? If you have questions like these about aircraft engines and engine parts, don't feel overwhelmed. People--especially people who aren't around aircraft frequently--often feel overwhelmed by what they don't know about aircraft engines and engine parts.

The most important thing to know about aircraft engines and engine parts basics is that there's nothing magic about aircraft and engine parts. If you need aircraft engine parts, then you can go about finding them much the same way you would parts for your car. There are a few main things that you should do when dealing with aircraft and engine parts:

1. Shop for rebuilt or used aircraft engine parts.

2. Price new aircraft engine parts.

3. Allow a certified mechanic make the repairs on aircraft engines.

 

Look for used aircraft engine parts when possible

While there's nothing magic about aircraft engine parts, they are expensive. If you deal with reputable mechanics and companies, then there's nothing wrong with getting rebuilt aircraft engine parts.
Try: Dawson Aircraft sells used parts like aircraft engine heaters, gauges and other used aircraft engine parts online. If you need an entire aircraft engine replacement, look at a company, like Western Skyways, that specializes only in used aircraft engines.

Accept that you may have to purchase new aircraft engine parts

Sometimes you won't be able to locate used aircraft engines or used aircraft engine parts, so occasionally you may have to buy new aircraft engine parts. Whether you want general aircraft engine parts, alternators or jet engine exciters, you'll find a bevy of resources that list prices and allow you to gather aircraft parts information on the web.
Try: Pilotfriend links directly to most aircraft engine producers and manufacturers, so if you need an aircraft engine replacement and need, for whatever reason, to buy a new engine, then you can find your manufacturer there. For new parts, request a quote from a company like Preferred Airparts.

Hire a certified mechanic to install the aircraft engine parts

Once you've found and ordered the aircraft and engine parts you need, don't trust the aircraft repairs or aircraft engine replacement to anyone but a certified aircraft mechanic. You can hire either an A&P (airframe and power plant mechanic) or an AI (authorized inspector), but ultimately you'll need to have an AI check and approve the work.
Try: If you don't have an AI or A&P on staff, then consider hiring one on a part-time or full-time basis. You can register and sort through resumes at Avjobs. If you'd rather hire an aircraft repair company to make the repairs or perform your airplane engine replacement, then you can find FAA-certified companies at Thirty Thousand Feet.

 

  • Remember that an aircraft engine part sale may not be the best deal, and you should compare prices online. When shopping for parts don't forget to ask your mechanic for suggestions.

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