Open your phone’s newsfeed, watch the TV news or browse the newspaper (for those of us that still enjoy the smell of ink) and undoubtedly you will find some story about pandemic related supply chain disruptions. Over the past year, these supply chain problems have been reported in most industries and likely impacted all of us in some way.
One of the airplane projects I have been enjoying is the engine change on the Skyotë, a small Experimental Amateur Built open cockpit biplane. It is a fun project, progress is being made and parts are regularly ordered when needed using well-known distributors of general aviation parts for both Standard Type Certificate and Experimental aircraft.
Late last year, a popular aftermarket starter for the Continental O-200 engine was ordered. A notice of backorder was received stating a short delay in shipping was expected, but hey, no problem, it will not be needed for a while. Well…after five months and numerous emails and phone calls to both the distributor and the manufacturer, the starter finally arrived. The reason for the delay was as expected, disruptions to the supply chain. REALLY? Five months? This was not the only case we experienced with what I will call common airplane components.
Last month, I bought a few items at a local (and well known) business that provides avionics sales and installations for GA airplanes. I asked one of the managers how business happened to be and his response was very busy and like most other shops they were also in a hiring mode. When the discussion got around to the supply chain for their business the response was “it is kind of a mess."
I began hearing how the pandemic created time for the recreationalists involved in building and restoration to stay busy on their projects. Has an increase in building and restoration of aircraft impacted supply issues? It could have an impact. Another interesting and understandable comment I heard was orders for aircraft fabric and related materials were up these days, another indication of an increase in amateur building and restoration projects.
It seems we may have the good and the bad. Good news is owners had or have some unplanned time to work on projects or schedule work on their aircraft. The bad would be, are shops and the current supply chain model able to keep up with new demand? I cannot help but wonder how the general aviation maintenance shops working on a customer airplane are managing through their own supply chain issues.
How about you? What if any pandemic related supply chain issues have you experienced? AMT is planning a feature article on the topic later this year and would like to hear from readers, distributors and manufacturers.
Send your comments to [email protected].
Keep ‘em flying safely, Ron
