The struggle for procuring essential spare parts can sometimes resemble a turbulent flight. Today, we delve into the challenges we faced, in search of a King Air Co-pilot Windshield, an ordeal that highlights the bothersome tricks used on aviation spare parts marketplaces.
The quest begins as usual, with a Captain in urgent need of a critical component for his King Air – the Co-pilot Windshield.
As a recurrent Customer, he was sure we could have been of help sourcing this component in a timely manner, dealing on price and quality and managing the logistic aspects on his behalf.
We honestly believed in some kind of routine task; after the usual confirmation of an eternal LT from both the OEM and Aircraft manufacturer (which is regrettable but so common, you get used to that), we went on PartsBase, ILS and many other spare parts platforms in search of this part; all platforms displayed the Windshield as available from multiple suppliers. The listings seemed promising, indicating that the spare part was in stock and ready for procurement.
However, we soon discovered the illusionary nature of this apparent abundance.
Upon reaching out to the sellers listed on these platforms, we encountered a disheartening trend – a resounding chorus of "No Quote." This seemingly innocuous response concealed a harsh reality – the copilot windshields, which were shown as available, were, in fact, unavailable. It became apparent that what appeared to be a wide spare parts availability was, more often than not, a simulation designed to create a facade of accessibility.
The "no quote" response is a peculiar facet of the aviation spare parts market. It serves as a veiled admission that the item displayed as available is actually not in stock or, perhaps, not even accessible through third-parties. This practice raises ethical concerns and points to a broader issue within the aviation procurement landscape.
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of the "no quote" response. Sellers may use this tactic to attract potential buyers, demonstrating a wide inventory and luring them into engaging with their services. Additionally, the dynamic nature of the aviation industry, with its constant fluctuations in demand and supply, can lead to discrepancies between what is shown on these platforms and what is genuinely available.
The consequences of this deceptive practice are far-reaching. Time is of the essence in aviation maintenance, and false leads on spare parts can lead to delays in crucial repairs or maintenance schedules. The frustration of navigating a marketplace where the line between genuine availability and simulated abundance is blurred adds an additional layer of complexity to an already intricate process.
This apparently simple search shed light on a pervasive issue within the aviation spare parts procurement landscape. The "no quote" phenomenon underscores the need for increased transparency, ethical practices, and accountability within the industry. As aviation professionals continue to navigate the complexities of spare parts acquisition, it is imperative that spare parts platforms strive for accuracy, ensuring that what is displayed as available truly is within reach for those in need.
At Horix Aerospace, we are a step ahead: we do not wait for creation and subsequent application of transparency rules by platforms.
We already invest our money in transparency: our ERP is structured to connect through APIs and share our current listing with all the spare parts platforms where we are present, to ensure that what we show, is what we have in stock, from the smallest of the washers to the most expensive of the engines, on a daily basis.
You can rest easy: it’s shown from Horix, it’s stock, ready to ship.
About Horix Aerospace
Horix Aerospace is an horizontally integrated aerospace company, strongly focused in Spare Parts Management solutions for the Business Aircraft Market. Horix has developed both the Trust Consignment Program and the Trust Dismantling Program to offer clients a unique opportunity becoming the Swiss Trusted Solution for Aerospace Components Management. With over $30M in assets under management, Horix Aerospace has become a disruptive force in the Aerospace Industry with both its Trust Dismantling Program and unique Business Model.
Strongly capitalized and managed by a team of industry veterans, Horix Aerospace is proud to be a Swiss owned and operated company.