Like any other vehicle, an aircraft will have a lot of consumable parts that will need to be replaced regularly. Tires, for instance, should be periodically inspected and swapped out as needed, especially on planes that see heavy use.
In the interest of safety, an aircraft that shows signs of a problem should be inspected right away. Putting off such issues is never a good idea as they can suddenly crop up and turn an uneventful flight into a very serious incident.
If you’re planning on acquiring aviation tools for your workshop, it would be a good idea to buy them in sets. This is particularly true if you’re starting from scratch as many of these kits will have a comprehensive selection of tools included.
“There’s a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician, the other is an artist in love with flight.” — Elrey B. Jeppesen, founder of the Jeppesen Air Navigation
Your plane's instrumentation should not show a tilt angle deviating from vertical while in level flight. If it does, it indicates a problem that needs to be repaired or replaced.
If your plane's engine lacks power or is running unevenly, it could mean several things, including old spark plugs, a defective ignition wire, or the magneto breaker points are not working properly.
One of the benefits of the internet is that you no longer have to physically visit an aircraft supply store to get the parts you need. As long as the store is equipped with an e-commerce portal, you can make a purchase online and have the goods shipped to you in as little as a few hours.
Aircraft fuselages, wings, and control surfaces are typically made with thin aluminum sheets so anyone repairing them needs to be very skilled. Not only that, these techs will also need the correct sheet metal tools to ensure that the job is done correctly and efficiently.
If you’re flying a plane in particularly bad weather, you may need to fly using IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). As such, you’re going to want to make sure that all your gauges are functional as these are what you will rely on to get to your destination.
If you’re planning on updating your older plane’s navigation equipment, you may want to look closely into what will work best. One way to do this would be to visit an aircraft supply store and ask a qualified staffer to suggest something that’s compatible with your aircraft.
If you need an adequate cover for your light aircraft, one place you might look would be an aircraft supply store. Such establishments typically carry an assortment of protective coverings so there will probably be something available for your aircraft.
If you’re planning to store your plane for some time, it’s important to prepare it adequately. This means performing all the required storage procedures and procuring the needed engine and fuselage covers to ensure that the aircraft stays well protected.
If you’re updating an older aircraft, one of the best things you can install in it would be a glass cockpit. This upgrade not only looks good, but it also improves the functionality of the plane and should enhance its value should you ever decide to sell.
While you may be able to do a lot of work on a car with hardware store tools, you’re going to need more specialized implements to work on an aircraft. For these tools, however, you need to visit an aircraft supply store as you’re not likely to find them anywhere else.
If you have an older aircraft, one way to reduce the electrical power it consumes is to replace all incandescent light fixtures with LEDs. These components are ideal since they draw far less power and do not generate a lot of heat.
If you plan on rebuilding or restoring a general aviation aircraft, you’re going to want to source your parts from a reputable supplier. As such, it would be advisable to work with an established aircraft supply store to make getting the things you need much easier.
If you’re putting up a workshop for general aviation aircraft, you’re going to want to have a lot of specialty tools and equipment on hand. As such, it would be a good idea to ask an aircraft supply store to acquire them for you so you can focus on the other aspects of your business.
One of the most important instruments onboard an aircraft is the artificial horizon. This gauge is so critical to flying a plane that even ultra-modern commercial aircraft that are equipped with digital instrumentation still use it as a backup.
A glass cockpit is a set of integrated digital instruments designed to replace the analog gauges on an aircraft. These systems typically feature large LED screens that are placed where the gauges would normally be, thus giving the pilot easy access to data.
While a plane can have a lot of advanced digital instrumentation, there will always be analog gauges installed in case something fails. These instruments may include an altimeter, an airspeed indicator, an artificial horizon, a turn and bank indicator, and a heading indicator.
While you’ll certainly have use for screwdrivers and a pair of pliers when working on an aircraft, you will also need special tools for certain jobs. Dedicated avionics tools, for instance, are required for working on avionics systems, as these perform functions that are very specific.
If your light aircraft needs replacement gauges, you may want to drop by an aircraft supply store to see if they have them in stock. More often than not, such an establishment will have a wide selection available, so chances are you’ll find something that will work.
One of the simplest, yet most important things you can acquire for your plane is a good set of wheel chocks. These triangular-shaped blocks of wood prevent your aircraft from moving unintentionally while parked, thus reducing the risk of an accident taking place.
If you’re looking to upgrade your general aviation aircraft, one place you can visit would be an aircraft supply store. Chances are, the upgrades you want will be on hand, or if not, you’ll most likely be able to ask the company to order them for you.