Six things to consider when buying aviation parts

Private aircraft are a significant investment and must be maintained meticulously to ensure they are safe and fit to fly. For this reason, aircraft maintainers should choose their aviation parts suppliers with care and only purchase appropriate, high-quality parts when maintaining, repairing or servicing a client’s plane.

When selecting parts, there are six important considerations to bear in mind:

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1. Balancing Costs and Quality

   It can be tempting to opt for bulk buys to gain cost efficiencies. However, maintenance personnel must consider whether the extra parts will be needed and when, as some components’ shelf lives may be insufficient for your needs and replacing brand-new parts unnecessarily is an extravagant expense.

   2. Supply and Demand

   Maintenance forecasting can help you to determine what parts you will need and when. By establishing a relationship with a reputable supplier such as Aerfin aviation parts, you will be able to understand the supply status and lead time of these parts. This will allow you to place orders in a timely manner, minimising downtime and ensuring customer satisfaction.

   3. OEM or Reconditioned

   Many reconditioned aircraft parts are available, and in fact, they may be the only option for older aircraft where new OEM parts are no longer in production, only available as a special order or out of stock. However, complying with air safety regulations tends to push maintainers and aircraft owners towards brand-new OEM parts for their enhanced safety ratings.

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4. Warranties

   You will want to buy fully warrantied parts for peace of mind and safety reasons. Do not be tempted to save money by buying aviation components that are not covered by warranty.

   5. Restocking Fees

   Some suppliers charge restocking fees if the items are returned unused, and these costs can quickly impact your bottom line. So before ordering potentially unnecessary parts, check whether the supplier will bill you for returning them.

   6. Customer Service

   Select an aviation parts supplier that you can easily contact. Build a strong relationship with them and they will be as keen to help you as you are to use and recommend their services.