Have you ever tried to replace an aircraft part, only to find out that you will have to mortgage your house to pay for it? Federal Aviation Regulations, combined with lawsuits against aircraft manufacturers and limited production, have contributed to the high cost of aircraft parts, regardless of the size, make or model of the aircraft. But fortunately, there are suppliers out there that can help aircraft owners stay in the game.
Certainly aircraft salvage companies are a great source of “used” aircraft parts that sell for as little as 20 percent of what a new part lists for, but there is no substitute for buying “new” parts if they are available.
For both “new” and “used” parts, “Preferred Airparts” in Kidron, Ohio, has gained the notoriety it deserves, selling new parts often for 40% less than list price – up to 85% less – and used parts for even less. Deliveries are prompt and the company pushes to process and ship orders the same day they are placed.
From their founding in 1982, Preferred Airparts has been a family business with a commitment to customer service. Like the parts they sell, they are “genuine” nice people to deal with. The company is owned and operated by the flying Stoltzfus family.
Preferred Airparts is located in Wayne County, Ohio, deep in the heart of Amish country, a deeply religious community that still travels to the local livestock auction by horse and buggy each Thursday. Part of Kidron may be in a bygone era, but Preferred Airparts is very much a company of today and the future.
The company started by buying one damaged, low-time Agusta 109A helicopter to part out. Things looked good for the startup business until a fire wiped out their inventory and left the Stoltzfus family wondering what to do next. But they didn’t give up, and started buying up more salvage, and took the next step and began buying complete inventories of new surplus parts wherever they could.
Today, Preferred Airparts has an inventory of 11 million genuine “surplus” parts that used to just sit on someone’s shelf before the company bought them and created one of the largest aircraft parts distribution systems in the world today for almost every aircraft ever built, from puddle jumper pistons, to cabin-class twins, warbirds, vintage aircraft, homebuilts, jets and rotor wing aircraft.
Preferred Airparts is not a factory-authorized dealer. They buy inventories of new surplus, genuine aircraft parts, and pass them on to the consumer at a great savings! They sell from their own stock, and do not order parts from the factory. Their customers include both individual aircraft owners and aircraft repair stations.
Preferred Airparts employs four full-time employees whose job is to inspect parts as they arrive and rigorous checks are made to ensure their condition as they are added to the inventory and sold. All parts are stored in modern warehousing to preserve their condition and quality.
In addition to their excellent inventory specialists, Preferred Airparts employs expert packers who send out a high volume of shipments every day. If the item needs crating, they will custom build their own crates to ensure that each item arrives at its destination in good condition. The company employs 60 people in all.
To find the part you need, you first have to have the part number. You can then quickly check stock by using their parts computer App, or by searching their inventory online at www.preferredairparts.com. The inventory is updated weekly, so you will have access to the most accurate information available.
You can also contact Preferred Airparts by giving them a call at 877-304-3593 or 330-698-0280, sending them an e-mail at sales2@preferredairparts.com, or a memo via fax at 330-698-3164. With a staff of 11 full-time salesmen, and two of them remaining in the office until 8:00 pm Eastern time Monday thru Friday, ordering parts could not be easier and customer friendly! You will also find Preferred Airparts on Ebay.
Some used parts are not listed on their website, so for used parts, you are encouraged to call to check what’s available.
Whether you need a new inertia reel for your aircraft shoulder harness, a propeller, an engine, or avionics, there is a very good chance that Preferred Airparts has the part you need and at an affordable price.
Preferred Airparts, LLC and Priority Air Charter, LLC are divisions of JILCO Industries, Inc.
