The Importance of Pre-Flights

Pre-flights typically carry the weight of safety before an aircraft takes flight. This is the last opportunity to identify and correct an issue before going wheels up, so it should rightfully be assigned to the highest level of importance. 

However, while pre-flight inspections receive most of the attention, there is another check that can be equally valuable when it comes to reducing downtime, controlling maintenance costs, and minimizing inconvenience for passengers: the post-flight inspection. 

The Importance of Post-Flights

Although post-flights are considered a best practice for Part 91 operators and are required by many Part 135 maintenance programs, they are often one of the most overlooked procedures. Ironically, they can be the very thing that saves the next flight.

If you spend time at any airport, you'll likely notice a familiar routine after an aircraft arrives. Covers are installed, the aircraft is checked for obvious damage or bird strikes, trash is removed, and the cabin is prepared for the next trip. The process is usually brief, and understandably so. After a long day of flying, everyone is ready to wrap things up. 

The disciplined pilot or maintenance professional understands that a post-flight inspection isn't about closing for the day. It's about preparing for tomorrow's mission. 

A thorough post-flight creates an opportunity to identify discrepancies when there is still time to address them. Instead of discovering an issue five minutes before departure, operators can begin planning repairs, sourcing parts, or coordinating maintenance while the aircraft is already on the ground. 

That proactive mindset is one of the most effective tools available for reducing Aircraft on Ground (AOG) events. 

Mitigating High-Pressure AOG Situations

Everyone is always looking for the secret sauce to prevent AOG events. For operators with demanding flight schedules, AOG situations can feel like a normal part of business. 

The reality is that there is no secret sauce. 

Aircraft are highly sophisticated machines, and mechanical failures will occur. However, a well-structured maintenance program can significantly reduce the frequency and impact of those events. 

One of the best resources available to operators is their maintenance provider. MROs see numerousaircraft of the same make and model pass through their facilities and often find recurring trends long before they become widespread issues. Those insights can help operators recognize potential concerns and take corrective action before a failure occurs. 

The operators who manage AOG situations most effectively share a common characteristic: they are proactive. Rather than waiting on issues to become disruptions, they use inspections, maintenance data, and operational experience to find potential concerns early and take corrective action before they affect operations. 

The same principle applies to operator checklists. The greatest benefit comes when inspections are viewed as tools for preventing downtime rather than simply satisfying a procedural requirement.

If there's one takeaway, it's this: make thorough post-flight inspections a priority. 

The best time to discover a discrepancy is when you have time to address it, not minutes before takeoff or after a failure has already occurred. Proactive maintenance creates time to gather resources, coordinate repairs, and make informed decisions. In turn, this can reduce delayed departures, missed trips, and lost revenue. 

The question shouldn't be how much time is spent being proactive. Instead, consider how much downtime and disruption can be avoided because of it. 

What You Can Do to Speed Up the AOG Process 

Even with the best preparation, AOG events can still happen. When they do, the speed of recovery often depends not only on the maintenance provider, but also on the level of information, communication, and collaboration available throughout the event. 

For operators who may be experiencing an AOG situation for the first time, here are several ways to help move the process forward as efficiently as possible. 

Embrace Collaboration

Approach the event as a partnership.

If you expect the AOG provider to handle everything completely hands-off, important information may be missed. There are often details that only the owner, operator, pilot, or maintenance coordinator knows, and those details can significantly speed up troubleshooting.

Something as simple as knowing whether a Service Bulletin has been completed can alter the troubleshooting path or determine which parts are needed. 

The more information that is shared, the faster the team can work toward returning the aircraft to service.

Communicate Expectations Early

Before an AOG event ever occurs, think about the expectations you would have during one. 

This may include: 

• Your preferred communication method
• Your next scheduled flight
• Operational flexibility
• Key decision-makers

Having those expectations documented ahead of time helps everyone stay aligned from the beginning. 

Remember: Unspoken expectations can become premediated resentments. 

Be Responsive 

During an AOG event, responsiveness matters. 

Technicians in the field often need answers, approvals, or additional information before moving forward. Delays in communication can quickly become delays in returning the aircraft to service. 

It's also important to remember that many AOG technicians are working long hours, often overnight, and in challenging conditions. Treating them as an extension of your team helps create a more productive working relationship and keeps everyone focused on the shared goal of getting the aircraft back in the air. 

Provide Complete Aircraft Information 

Accurate information helps eliminate unnecessary delays.

Whenever possible, provide:

• Previous maintenance history
• Open or recurring squawks
• Aircraft program participation
• Warranty information
• Recent maintenance performed 

The more complete the picture, the faster the team can identify solutions, source parts, and ensure billing is processed correctly. 

Remain Calm and Objective 

AOG situations are stressful, but maintaining a perspective is critical. 

If concerns arise during the event, direct those conversations to the team manager rather than technicians actively working on the aircraft. This allows technicians to remain focused on safely completing the work while operational concerns are addressed through the appropriate channels. 

A calm, collaborative approach helps keep the process moving forward and allows everyone to stay focused on the ultimate goal: returning the aircraft to service safely and efficiently. 

Final Thoughts

In aviation, time is one of the most valuable resources you have. While mechanical issues are inevitable, how you prepare for them can make all the difference.

A disciplined approach to inspections, maintenance, and communication won't eliminate every AOG event, but it can help reduce downtime, improve response times, and keep operations moving when it matters most. 

Brent Wiggins
AOG Director of Operations
[email protected]
24/7 AOG 1-833-4AOG-HELP