New industry research finds time, availability and access to technical data among the biggest parts challenges facing GA maintenance shops
DOVER, Del., Aug. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Parts and supply chain challenges continue to put pressure on general aviation maintenance shops, with 66% of industry professionals surveyed expecting the parts supply environment to worsen in the near future, according to new research from TBX.
The 2026 General Aviation Parts Survey, conducted by TBX and led by CEO Jon McLaughlin, gathered feedback from mechanics, shop owners, Directors of Maintenance and other aviation maintenance professionals to better understand the challenges they face sourcing, purchasing and managing aircraft parts.
One of the survey's biggest findings: time, not price, is a major pressure. Maintenance professionals reported spending significant time researching part numbers, locating inventory, identifying alternatives and working with aircraft owners to evaluate options.
Among the findings:
66% expect the aviation parts supply environment to worsen in the near future.
72% reported dissatisfaction with parts pricing, while 59% reported dissatisfaction with lead times.
Access to IPCs, part numbers and technical data was identified as the single change that could have the greatest positive impact on maintenance operations.
"Maintenance shops are spending too much time searching for parts, finding part numbers, waiting on backorders, and sourcing alternatives—not to mention the time spent explaining those options, or lack thereof, to customers," McLaughlin said. "As the GA fleet continues to age, improving parts availability, expanding access to technical data, and giving maintainers more options—whether OEM, PMA, or serviceable parts—will be critical to keeping these aircraft flying."
The findings take on added significance as the general aviation fleet ages. The average certified GA piston aircraft is now 53 years old, making legacy aircraft increasingly challenging to support as production runs disappear, suppliers consolidate and original parts become more difficult to source.
The survey also found that shops navigate these challenges differently. Smaller operations tend to rely on a broader mix of OEM, PMA, salvage and owner-produced parts, while larger and turbine-focused shops remain more dependent on OEM sources.
One of the clearest opportunities identified by respondents was also one of the most actionable: better access to parts information. Easier access to illustrated parts catalogs, part numbers and technical data topped the list of changes respondents believe could improve the industry.
"This isn't a problem any one part of the industry can solve alone," McLaughlin said. "But the people maintaining these aircraft every day are telling us very clearly where the friction is. Our goal with this survey was to put data behind those experiences and give manufacturers, suppliers and the broader GA community something concrete to work from."
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