Contributed by Leo Sawatzki, Engine Parts / Engine Sales Manager
All reclaimed aircraft engine parts that are declared viable for operation are tagged with an FAA 8130 dual release tag, accepted by both the FAA and EASA.
In the past, when the economy was strong, aircraft operating budgets were larger and everyone requested new parts be put in their engines during major inspections. As the economy began to slow, operators scrambled to find lower-cost alternatives. Now, although we have experienced some recovery from the downturn, people haven’t forgotten and continue to seek the best value available.
That value can be found in reclaimed aircraft engine parts. Below are four reasons why you should consider reclaimed parts at your next major engine inspection.
1. Same Quality Performance
Reclaimed engine parts provide the same reliable operating service as new parts at a lower cost. They have been inspected, overhauled or repaired and then re-inspected. And finally, the parts that are declared viable for operation are tagged with an FAA 8130 dual release tag, accepted by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and put into inventory.
2. Lower Cost
New aircraft engine parts are made out of rare and exotic metals that are becoming more difficult to find. These metals are a dwindling resource and are becoming more difficult to find; causing the cost of new engine parts to rise significantly. During a major engine inspection, many parts are replaced. Using reclaimed parts will keep inspection costs down without sacrificing quality or safety.
3. Increased Aircraft Life
As an aircraft ages, the cost associated with operation and maintenance of older engines begin to represent a larger portion of the aircraft’s overall cost of operation. Reclaimed parts are a lower-cost alternative that allows aircraft to continue to provide valuable flight services to their operating companies for longer periods of time.
4. Reduced Environmental Impact
The entire aviation industry (commercial, business and general aviation) relies upon rare exotic metal alloys such as titanium, waspaloy, hastelloy and inconel to manufacture new aircraft engine parts because of their ability to withstand high heat and their strength-to-weight ratio that is necessary for flight. Reclaiming good, used engine parts and reintroducing them back into service is recycling at its very best. No more precious metals are taken out of the earth and very little, if any, machining or chemical applications are necessary in order to return these parts to service in another engine.
As an authorized OEM facility, Duncan has been buying, selling and exchanging engines and APUs for more than 20 years and is the only Honeywell-authorized facility to offer this lower-cost alternative. Learn more about using reclaimed engine parts as a low-cost alternative.
Leo Sawatzki is Duncan Aviation’s Engine Parts Sales Manager located in Lincoln, NE. He specializes in locating hard to find aircraft engine parts. His aviation career began in 1968.
