General Aviation Maintenance Stalls as Parts Shortages Mount

The survey reveals that time—not cost—is the primary obstacle for maintenance shops. While 72% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with current pricing, the operational drag stems from the exhaustive search for part numbers, inventory verification, and the evaluation of alternative components. With the average certified GA piston aircraft reaching 53 years of age, the difficulty of sourcing legacy parts has become a systemic burden.

Mechanics and shop owners identified improved access to illustrated parts catalogs and technical documentation as the single most effective change for the industry. This lack of data transparency forces small operations to scramble between OEM, PMA, and salvage sources, while larger shops remain tethered to increasingly strained OEM supply chains. McLaughlin noted that the industry must prioritize digitizing technical data and expanding part options to keep an aging fleet airworthy. The report, titled The Great Parts Squeeze, underscores that without streamlined information access, the friction within maintenance operations will continue to jeopardize the viability of legacy aircraft support.