Blog

• Understanding Aerospace Supply Chain Issues In 2023
• How Inflation Is Causing More Aerospace Supply Chain Problems
• Why Labor Shortages Have Created More Supply Chain Issues In Aviation
• Russia's Effects on the Aerospace Supply Chain
• How Air Power Inc. Combats Aerospace Supply Chain Problems

The global aviation industry is experiencing a rebound after the pandemic, but it is not without significant concerns. The pandemic has had a considerable ripple effect throughout the aviation industry, with aerospace supply chain problems being one of the most complex challenges. Aviation supply chain management involves working with various tiers of suppliers situated across different regions and countries, making it incredibly challenging for industry players to manage pandemic-related disruptions.

Today, in 2023, aerospace supply chain issues continue to pose daunting challenges to the aviation industry. These challenges range from rising inflation to a depleting workforce — along with delays and disruptions in raw material component deliveries, manufacturing and assembly operations and the transportation of finished products. Thankfully, some companies, such as Air Power Inc., have managed to stay competitive by proactively addressing supply chain issues in aviation, while others continue to struggle.

In this article, we'll examine the impact of aerospace supply chain issues on the global aviation industry, with particular attention to the challenges that industry players face.

Understanding Aerospace Supply Chain Issues In 2023

Effective and efficient aerospace supply chains are critical to aviation organizations functioning successfully. These supply chains are highly intricate, comprising multiple tiers of suppliers, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), prime contractors and integrators, repair and overhaul providers, small parts suppliers and maintenance support teams.

Moreover, aviation supply chain suppliers and customer bases have become increasingly global over the past few decades. With the adoption of digital technologies and the operation of a just-in-time basis, airline industry supply chains have become more complex, making managing them a challenge to navigate even in the best of times.

The disruption of global transportation and logistics networks has emerged as one of the primary factors contributing to aerospace supply chain issues in 2023. The delays in the delivery of raw materials and components to manufacturing sites have made it difficult for airplane part manufacturers to maintain production schedules, leading to reduced output and increased costs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and complexities of the airline industry supply chain. The industry must prioritize effective aviation supply chain management to ensure efficient production schedules and timely product delivery as it continues to recover from the pandemic.

How Inflation Is Causing More Aerospace Supply Chain Problems

Inflation is one of the chief challenges facing the aviation supply chain and global aviation industry. In the USA, inflation has been around 8%, while in Europe, it has been about 10%. As a result, airplane part manufacturers face higher costs for materials and labor, which places significant cash constraints on the supply chain. In addition, some companies may face unpleasant consequences from creative pandemic-era financing arrangements that were implemented to weather the recent aerospace downturn.

During the pandemic, some airplane part manufacturers provided "forward" capital to financially struggling suppliers to stabilize their supply chains. This forward capital was provided through debt purchases or advance-payment arrangements. Additionally, companies received government aid related to the pandemic and borrowed cash at exceptionally low-interest rates. However, government aid has ceased, and interest rates have risen sharply, making these creative forward-capital arrangements less feasible.

Why Labor Shortages Have Created More Supply Chain Issues In Aviation

The shortage of skilled workers to produce airplane parts in the US and Canada poses another significant challenge to the airline industry supply chain. While inflation and logistics issues pose a problem to suppliers, the shortage of skilled labor is widely recognized as the most significant hurdle.

In response to the decline in air travel during the pandemic, many airplane part manufacturers laid off a substantial portion of their workforce, resulting in a severe shortage of skilled employees required to restore the aviation supply chain to pre-pandemic levels. Aircraft manufacturing involves a high degree of craftsmanship, and the learning curve is often several years long.

The issue is even more challenging for sub-tier airplane part manufacturers that may have transferred their labor to other industries with more predictable demand. Consequently, manufacturers are finding it difficult to re-skill their businesses. Although aerospace manufacturers are hiring more employees, the cost of attracting skilled workers is escalating, impacting current staff salaries and further stressing smaller suppliers. The industry is poised for restructuring, with potential takeovers by larger companies or customers.

Russia's Effects on the Aerospace Supply Chain

The inability of many airplane part manufacturers to meet the demand for specific parts is also causing aerospace supply chain problems. Unfortunately, this has only been exacerbated by the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict.

At least some global supply chains depend on sourcing required raw materials from Russia, particularly titanium. Before the sanctions against Russia in 2022, the country supplied half of the titanium used in aircraft. We can link supply chain issues in aviation to the Russian-Ukraine conflict by examining the titanium needs of three major OEMs: Embraer, Airbus and Boeing. 100% of the titanium used in Embraer aircraft, 65% of the titanium used in Airbus aircraft and nearly 35% of the titanium used in Boeing aircraft is sourced from Russia.

As a result of the conflict, lead times for suppliers to source materials or components can now exceed a year, jeopardizing airplane part manufacturers' plans to increase production. An engine comprises approximately 23,000 parts, and a shortage of just a few can hinder delivery.

How Air Power Inc. Combats Aerospace Supply Chain Problems

Air Power Inc. has managed to weather the storm of aerospace supply chain problems during the pandemic. We take great pride in maintaining a competitive edge over our competitors by proactively managing our supply chain.

Air Power Inc. has a large inventory of in-stock engines ready to ship, which has been invaluable for our customers. As other companies in the industry struggle to fulfill orders due to aerospace supply chain problems, Air Power Inc. has provided its customers with fast and reliable access to the engines they need. This unique advantage has also allowed us to maintain our pricing power. While other companies in the industry have been forced to increase prices due to supply chain disruptions, we have been able to keep our prices low while our quality stays high.

Don't Let Aerospace Supply Chain Issues Hold You Back – Shop Air Power Inc. Today

Aerospace supply chain issues and high prices shouldn't prevent you from pursuing your passion. If you're in a time crunch and require a refurbished or factory-new aircraft engine, Air Power Inc. is here to help. Our aircraft engines are always available, in stock and ready to ship. Thanks to our close relationship with Lycoming and Continental®, we provide access to new, used and rebuilt aircraft engines ready for purchase. That way, your aircraft won't stay grounded for months while you wait for your back-ordered items to ship.

Shop our complete catalog of in-stock, ready-to-ship aircraft engines to locate the perfect Lycoming or Continental® engine to match your aircraft's make, model and flying requirements today. If you require additional information or have any questions about our products, don't hesitate to contact us. Our team is always available to help.

• The Piston Engine
• The Turboprop Engine
• The Turbojet Engine
• The Turbofan Engine
• The Turboshaft Engine

1. The Piston Engine

The earliest plane engine types were based on combustion engines, which were then attached to a propeller. For 40 years after the Wright brother's first flight at Kitty Hawk, aircraft exclusively used piston propeller engines to generate thrust. Engine and propeller technology (and power) have improved significantly throughout the years, but today's piston engine types still work much the same way.

Generally speaking, the piston engine functions much like a typical automobile engine. By taking in air from the surrounding environment and mixing it with fuel, these aircraft engine types work by burning the fuel to produce heated gas exhaust to move a piston attached to a crankshaft. But while the automotive drivetrain uses its crankshaft to turn the wheels of a car, a piston propeller engine crankshaft is directly connected to one or more propellers.

Remarkably, most of today's small general aviation and private aircraft are still powered by piston engines from manufacturers like Lycoming and Continental®. These types of aircraft engines are among some of the most efficient at their respective power outputs and are less expensive to purchase and operate. However, the bigger you go, the less efficient they become.

2. The Turboprop Engine

Most of the larger aircraft you'll see with a propeller use a turbine-based engine. The development of these types of engines began during the 1930s, and they were introduced to commercial aviation after World War II in the late 1940s and 1950s.

The turboprop engine is a turbine engine that directly connects to a gearing system to turn a propeller, much like a traditional piston propeller engine. A turboprop engine still works on the principle of combusting fuel with air, but the incoming air is compressed before combustion, resulting in higher temperatures and much more power. These plane engine types also come standard with a gearbox that slows down its spinning prop shaft to drive the propeller properly.

Turboprop engines are highly fuel-efficient and rotate at a mid-range speed, generally ranging between 250 and 400 knots. With this type of aircraft engine, you'll find the most efficiency at mid-range altitudes. However, their gearing systems have been known to break down quickly because of their weight, which also plays into a more limited forward airspeed.

3. The Turbojet Engine

The turbojet engine was the first type of jet engine ever developed. These aircraft engine types were used exclusively for the earliest jets, including the De Havilland Comet and Boeing 707.

A turbojet engine works similarly to a turboprop. It takes air from the engine's rear side to compress and mix it with fuel, producing hot exhaust. The exhaust then drives a turbine (which also powers the compressor) and is discharged at twice the pressure of the atmosphere. Turbojet engine types generate gas streams, which create thrust and propulsion.

Today, the turbojet engine is used in commercial aircraft and private jets. However, compared with the turbofan engine, turbojet engines are considered much less efficient. The relatively simple design of these aircraft engine types takes up very little space and is capable of powering aircraft at very high speeds. However, a big disadvantage is the high fuel consumption a turbojet engine requires.

4. The Turbofan Engine

Turboprop and turbojet engines lead the way for commercial and private jets, but the drive for even greater efficiency in the aviation industry has kept this a constantly evolving area. Turbofan engines combine the best features of turboprops and turbojets to create something better.

A turbofan engine has massive fans used to facilitate even better air intake. All the air produced by these fans enters the intake and flows through a generator to produce hot air. The generator consists of a turbine, combustion chamber and compressor. Only a small percentage of the air that passes through a turbofan engine reaches the combustion chamber. The rest passes through a low-pressure compressor, is mixed with the fuel and injected directly into the engine. The objective of a turbofan engine is to achieve a higher level of thrust and performance while maintaining the same level of fuel consumption.

A turbofan engine can produce large amounts of thrust while remaining relatively quiet, even at lower speeds. For these reasons, this type of aircraft engine powers the vast majority of commercial airliners.

5. The Turboshaft Engine

Most commonly used to power helicopters, a turboshaft engine is very close to a turboprop with a few minor design modifications. Rather than a propeller, turboshaft engines are designed to turn a transmission, which in turn is connected to the helicopter's rotor system.

The turboshaft engine's design allows the helicopter rotor's speed to rotate independently of the gas generator's speed. That means that even as the gas generator's speed declines, the type of aircraft engine can remain constant. A turboshaft engine can also modulate the power that a helicopter produces.

The biggest advantages to these aircraft engine types are their small dimensions, low weight and high static performance, allowing them to climb to extremely high altitudes.

Find the Best General Aviation Aircraft Engines at Air Power Inc.

Piston and gas turbine engines have come a long way over the past 100 years. As with most things in aviation, all the different types of aircraft engines consist of unique attributes that serve to achieve their intended mission.

When it comes to general aviation aircraft, piston engines are still the most reliable and efficient choice for pilots. If you're looking to replace or overhaul your worn-out aircraft engine, look to Air Power Inc. We carry a wide selection of top-rated piston propeller engines perfect for the unique specifications of your make and model. As Lycoming's largest global engine distributor and the preferred provider of Continental® aircraft engines, we're sure to carry what you need for a price you can't beat.

If you have questions about which plane engine type best suits your aircraft, feel free to contact us anytime. We'll be more than happy to help.

• What Is Preventative Maintenance?
• What Is an Aircraft Inspection Checklist?
• Types of Aircraft Maintenance Inspections

What Is Preventive Maintenance?

Aircraft preventive maintenance is any preservation or replacement work that does not involve complex assembly operations. A preventive aircraft maintenance checklist includes replacing, servicing or repairing small standard parts. Aircraft preventive maintenance typically takes place regularly and is crucial for preventing significant problems from occurring during flight. Standard aircraft preventive maintenance tasks generally include:

• Running Tests
• Checking for Wear
• Lubricating and Cleaning Components
• Replacing Acceptable Items
• Adhering to Required Inspections for Aircraft

What Is an Aircraft Inspection Checklist?

An inherent part of aircraft preventive maintenance — and a responsibility of owning a general aviation aircraft required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — is following an aircraft inspection checklist. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations states that "the owner/operator of a civil aircraft is primarily responsible for maintaining that aircraft in an airworthy condition, including compliance with FAA Airworthiness Directives (AD)." By following an aircraft inspection checklist, owners and operators can:

• Prevent Mechanical Failures and Ensure Flight Safety: Mechanical failures account for nearly a quarter of all fatal aircraft accidents. Airplane inspections can help identify hazards early to guarantee the pilot's safety.
• Preserve the Life of the Aircraft: Aircraft are designed to operate within certain cycle limits, determining their lifespan. Through an aviation inspection, owners can keep components working their best to ensure safe flights throughout that lifespan.
• Minimize Aircraft Downtime: In aircraft operations, every second is valuable. By regularly performing required inspections, aircraft will have less downtime and fewer major repairs, which can benefit an owner's bottom line.

Types of Aircraft Maintenance Inspections

Required inspections for aircraft take on two different forms: scheduled and unscheduled. When unscheduled aviation inspections are unforeseen and sudden, scheduled inspections take on a much more rigid structure. Under the category of scheduled airplane inspections, there are several subcategories and types of aircraft maintenance inspections that technicians and pilots must perform.

100-Hour Inspection

A 100-hour airplane inspection is a thorough examination of an aircraft as required by Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). As the name implies, this inspection is to be performed every 100 hours of service. In some cases, 100-hour airplane inspections may also be required after major maintenance tasks, such as installing a new propeller or a complete engine overhaul.

Annual Aircraft Inspections

The FAA also requires every plane to undergo an annual inspection performed by a licensed mechanic with inspection authorization. Pilots can perform informal annual aircraft inspections at any time, but it's essential to obtain an official inspection performed by a licensed mechanic once a year to meet the requirement. If an owner fails to meet this requirement, pilots may not fly the aircraft without authorization.

Progressive Inspections

If an operator's fleet is heavily utilized (e.g., flight school, corporate and fixed-base operator fleets), they may undergo a progressive inspection plan to minimize downtime. These types of aircraft maintenance inspections are complete inspections conducted in separate stages to be completed throughout 12 calendar months. Unlike a 100-hour or annual aircraft inspection, progressive inspections enable more frequent but shorter inspection programs as long as the FAA approves them.

Pre-Flight Inspections

Pre-flight checks are airplane inspections conducted by pilots (or student pilots) before takeoff to verify the aircraft is safe for departure. With the help of a pre-flight aircraft inspection checklist, they can conduct a walk-around to determine whether major components are functioning normally — and note if any defects need immediate repair. A pre-flight aircraft inspection checklist typically focuses on the following areas:

• Exterior: Check for corrosion, damage, dents, dirt and ice. Make sure that all aircraft structural hardware is tight and undamaged.
• Wings and Flaps: Ensure the wings and flaps are free from cracks, dents or bends. Ailerons, actuators and flaps should also be working and adequately lubricated. If your fuel tanks are located in the wings, check for leaks. Finally, ensure the aircraft position lights are in working order.
• Engine: A properly functioning engine is vital for any flight. Carefully inspect the engine parts and engine cylinders for possible corrosion, worn gaskets and leaks. It's also important to make sure the engine is clean and dry.
• Landing Gear: Check whether the tires have any wear or damage. If the tires are worn or damaged, they need to be replaced. Landing gear components should also be checked for damage or cracks, and the lights should have working bulbs.
• Tail: Ensure the rudder and elevator are free from wear, lubricated and working correctly. Inspectors should also check the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
• Propeller: If an aircraft contains one or more propellers, ensure they (and the spinner) are functioning normally and undamaged.
• Cabin and Cockpit: Check the fuel and oil pressure, radio settings, transponder code, navigation instruments, flight control surfaces, database currency and flight plan entry. It's also vital to check airframe hardware, such as seats and safety belts, for any signs of damage and wear. Safety belts should be able to clasp and unclasp. The heat and A/C should also be working correctly.
• Hydraulic System: If your aircraft has a hydraulic system, ensure that the reservoirs have the recommended amount of fluids. Additionally, you should confirm the hydraulic connections and hose connections are secured.
• Doors and Windows: Ensure the doors, windshields and windows are intact, clear and properly attached.

Air Power Inc. Makes Aircraft Preventive Maintenance Easier

Completing standard aircraft preventive maintenance is essential for owning a general aviation aircraft. Without an aircraft inspection checklist to complete your work, you're putting your aircraft (and yourself) at risk of an accident. Remember that aircraft maintenance requirements exist for a reason.

If you run into any issues while completing your aircraft maintenance checklist and need to replace any parts, look to Air Power Inc. We're proud to be the largest supplier of aircraft parts and components in the world, so we're sure to have what you need for your unique make and model at the lowest prices in the industry. Browse our entire selection of parts today. If you have any questions about parts to complete your required inspections for your aircraft, don't hesitate to reach out and contact us. We're here to help.