Aircraft Parts Basics

The sky's the limit with aircraft parts

By Mike Tracy

From single engine prop planes to jumbo jets, airplanes are complex machines made up of thousands of aircraft parts. Learning aircraft parts basics should be the first step for your company's entry into the business. Existing parts are replaced with new and used aircraft parts at scheduled maintenance checks. These aircraft engine parts, wing assemblies, avionics and wheel parts are critical to keeping America's airliners and private fleets flying smoothly. The best sources of business intelligence on the aircraft parts business are the aircraft parts suppliers themselves.

Certain aircraft systems resemble similar systems in land vehicles, such as brakes and seats. However, some aircraft systems such as avionics and radar are fairly unique to air transport and require technical expertise. All of that specialized knowledge is available. To learn more about the aircraft parts industry, do the following things:

1. Use the Internet to identify potential aircraft parts supplies.

2. Identify suppliers of new and used commercial aircraft parts.

3. Locate companies that stock aircraft engine parts for either jets or prop planes.

4. Study the inventory of used aircraft parts for small-plane fleets.

Locate an aircraft part manufacturer online

Your business can find a great deal of information about aircraft aviation parts on the Internet. The industry as a whole maintains several search engines and databases, and most manufacturers and dealers have websites. Conduct an online search for preliminary information to start your firm's journey into the aircraft parts market.
Try: Start you search for information about aircraft parts supplies at Inventory Locator Service. It manages a database of aviation parts and suppliers. You can get a real sense of the scope of the market. Visit several company websites for specifics. Aerospacesuppliers.com is another source of suppliers. Note the information on Aerospace Quality System certification.

Identify key aircraft parts suppliers

Most dealers specialize in a specific type of plane or aircraft part, such as Piper aircraft parts or commercial aircraft parts. An aircraft parts distributor also might have large inventories of airplane spare parts. Instruct your firm to collect business information to learn about different segments of the industry.
Try: Leading aircraft parts distributor International Air Parts provides information about all aspects of the parts business. Encourage staff to visit the company website. Honeywell provides abundant information about many internal and external systems on airplanes.

Tap the jet spare parts sector

Jet engines and avionics differ significantly from those systems on propeller-driven planes. Learn about the sector from an aircraft part manufacturer or supplier that specializes in jet parts.
Try: Touching base with Jet Aviation will link your firm to information about all things related to jets. Scan its huge inventory of parts for clues about the jet spare parts industry. Ocean Air also carries parts from most jets in its large inventory. Add company information to your business intelligence.

Add knowledge about an aircraft parts distributor for smaller planes

There are more than 500,000 small plane pilots registered in the United States. Supplying parts for their planes is a major segment of the aircraft parts business. You'll note that many dealers carry reconditioned, certified used aircraft parts as cost-effective options.
Try: Don't let your company overlook businesses that supply parts for small planes. Go directly to Piper, the source for Piper aircraft parts, for information about its business. L&M Aircraft Parts carries Beechcraft, Piper and Learjet spare parts. It can provide information about the importance of certification and traceability for used aircraft parts.

The FAA and aerospace industry certify parts. Research their standards as part of your education about aircraft spare parts.