Technical guides, procurement insights, and aviation industry references for parts buyers, MROs, and operators.
Austin Stout of Airplane Parts Direct will attend MRO Asia-Pacific 2026 at Singapore EXPO. The event runs September 22 to 24, 2026. APD is attending to strengthen direct supplier relationships, meet aviation buyers and discuss how better RF...
Company Updates · 8 min read ·
Aircraft parts are sold in several condition codes — New (NE), Factory New (FN), Overhauled (OH), Serviceable (SV), As-Removed (AR), and Prototype New (PN) — each with different price points, certification requirements, and appropriate use ...
Buying Guides · 8 min read ·
The FAA 8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tag is the primary document certifying that an aircraft part meets FAA airworthiness standards and is approved for installation. Verifying the authenticity and accuracy of 8130-3 tags is essential for p...
Compliance & Certification · 10 min read ·
AOG (Aircraft on Ground) is the aviation industry's highest-priority status, indicating an aircraft is grounded and unable to fly until a specific part is sourced and installed. AOG parts sourcing typically involves premium pricing (25-100%...
Sourcing & Procurement · 7 min read ·
Aircraft parts trace documentation is the collection of records that establishes a component's complete history from manufacture to its current state — including manufacturing origin, maintenance history, modifications, and chain of custody...
Compliance & Certification · 9 min read ·
Aircraft parts sourcing is the process of locating, evaluating, and procuring certified aviation components from OEMs, authorized distributors, MROs, and aftermarket suppliers. Effective sourcing requires balancing cost, lead time, document...
Sourcing & Procurement · 12 min read ·
Aircraft parts condition codes are standardized abbreviations defined by ATA Spec 2000 that describe the maintenance status and airworthiness of aviation components at the time of sale. The primary codes are NE (New), FN (Factory New), OH (...
Buying Guides · 6 min read ·
A ram air turbine (RAT) is a small wind-driven turbine that deploys into the airflow to generate emergency electrical and/or hydraulic power when an aircraft loses its main engine-driven and auxiliary power sources. Driven only by the aircr...
Technical Guides · 11 min read ·
Aircraft landing gear is the retractable structural system that supports an aircraft on the ground and absorbs landing loads — comprising the struts (oleo/shock absorbers), wheels, brakes, actuators, uplocks/downlocks, and the hydraulic and...
Technical Guides · 10 min read ·