Flight To Success: Buying Aviation Parts...

The Smart Way!

Guest Post by: Rachel Stires

My friend Rachel Stires is pretty awesome, and I love when she sends me guest posts. Today is how to by part the smart way. So, for all you little plane owners... you'll love it. In her real life, Rachel is a media relations specialist for ILS. In her free time she writes, travels, and "absolutely loves to be sky-high, with beautiful views you can only get from flying!"

When you’re a new pilot, jumping into the aviation world can be a little overwhelming. There’s so much to learn, so much to experience, and so many resources available for you. If you own your aircraft, or are thinking about purchasing one, it’s important to know where to find parts in case you want to replace or upgrade parts you have.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Price check:

This one may seem a little obvious, but still something I would recommend. Whatever method you choose to find parts, make sure to check the part you want against other suppliers. For example, if you find a part on eBay, let’s say a digital transponder, it’s a good idea to check prices on other sites. You might want to check the price for that particular model, or for transponders in general so you can get a good idea of what price range you should expect.

New or Like New:

If you’re buying on a budget, checking out used parts might be a good idea. Much like buying used car parts, there’s definitely a viable market out there with plenty of people selling parts they no longer need. There are a number of global marketplaces out there that sell parts, some catering to specific brands or niches, and others blanketing over the entirety of aviation parts. Whichever you choose is up to personal preference. All used parts usually require certification before they can be sold again, so you also don’t have to worry about any faulty parts.

Read Reviews:

Like any product you can’t see until it ships to your house, it’s important to read up on reviews, installation tips, and other advice regarding your parts. There are plenty of aviation forums and websites available for you to check out and review should you feel the need to. You might also be able to pose your own question and get feedback on how a particular part works with your aircraft, or people’s overall experiences with them. Either way, getting feedback from likeminded people might make your decision a bit easier.

Check the Seller’s Reputation:

This applies mostly on global marketplaces like eBay or Amazon, but it’s important to check the seller’s ratings and make sure that you can trust them. A low price might look attractive, but it might also be a scam waiting for some unsuspecting person. Both sites have user profiles you can check, and people usually leave feedback on their experience with the buyer. A good buyer will have multiple strong reviews, or a website or social media platform you can check for more information. I’ve had situations where I was scammed out of some money, so make sure it doesn’t happen to you!

Whether your aircraft needs a tune-up, upgrade, or there’s just a new feature you’d like to incorporate into it, buying parts is a necessary part of owning a plane. Research will help you get the best results for you and your aircraft, so make sure you put in the time that this will require. With time and experience, you’ll find resources that work best for you, and you’ll be flying a better aircraft in no time.

Enjoy the Journey
XO Karlene

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