What Exactly is a Rotable Aircraft part?
Today, we are talking about rotable parts. Rotable parts are a very important part of the supply chain that does not get the attention they should. In a nutshell, you need to be aware of a few different types of aircraft parts in the aviation industry. Keeping a healthy rotable inventory is a critical part of the process. Aircraft rotables are parts that basically need to be rotated out at specified intervals, even if they are still in serviceable condition.
Let’s look at what a rotable part is, how it affects flight equipment, and how you should keep rotable spare parts in your inventory.
Everything You Need to Know about Rotable Parts
Alright, so let’s dive into this.
We talk a lot about spare parts here because that is one of our primary missions. Providing a secure source and supply of spare parts is paramount. But there are a few different types of parts, and today we are focusing on rotables.
So, what are rotable parts?
A rotable part is a repairable part that can be restored to a serviceable condition. It is removed during specified timetables and then taken into a back shop where it is repaired. If the repair is too extensive for on-base back shops, it has to be up-channeled for depot-level repairs
Why Do You Need To Rotate Parts?
Some particularly critical parts must be removed before an anticipated failure, which is generally identified as having a mean time between failures. Rotables are not unique to the aviation industry, but aerospace is one of the most common because it is one of the safety-critical fields.
What Are Some Examples of Rotable Parts?
A few of the more common examples of rotable parts include:
- Avionics units
- Landing gear components
- Hydraulic pumps
- Hydraulic actuators
- Fuel pumps
- Auxiliary power units
The aircraft's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) creates the timetables for rotable parts when they must be removed from the aircraft, repaired, and returned to the supply chain as serviceable.
How Are Rotables Different From Other Spare Parts?
Spare parts have a specific purpose: the spare part is kept on hand when an item, whether it is rotable or not, fails. These are unplanned and unexpected failures generally outside of the mean time between failures.
Generally speaking, maintenance data and analysis provide a baseline for how often most parts fail. Many of those parts fail across a control (i.e., a fleet), so spare parts are procured and stored accordingly.
Rotable parts are pulled from service and repeatedly rehabilitated to be installed on other like-aircraft. They are removed before an instance happens, which does not tap into the stock of spare parts.
The Best Practices for Using Rotable Parts
This all depends on the airframe in question. The OEM is responsible for delineating what rotable parts must be replaced and when.
Now, here’s the thing: you will need a robust supply chain and reliable sources to ensure that you can procure rotable parts when the components are due to be removed and replaced. This can include an engine, which requires considerable planning on the part of your team.
Once the items are removed, make sure that you have contracted for an overhaul process with a reliable vendor. Once the vendor (often an MRO contracted to repair the rotables in question, although internal MROs do the same work) is done, it is retired to fully serviceable condition.
How Are Rotable Parts Used?
Rotable parts can be repeatedly returned to serviceable condition many times without worrying about retiring the asset. All of these components are equipped with a serial number and a data plate, and the item can be pulled from an aircraft when it is due, repaired, and placed back into supply stock for recirculation. As long as the paperwork is correct, it doesn’t matter which aircraft it is installed on, so long as it is recorded correctly.
It is not unusual for parts to be maintained internally and shared between aircraft. In fact, in some cases, parts will be cannibalized from an operational aircraft and placed on another one that needs a rotable part swapped out. The rotable being pulled that requires repair to be returned to serviceable condition is charged against the cannibalized aircraft of “Cann Bird” until it is repaired.
This practice is extremely common among military airframes that have traditionally struggled with reliability issues and poor supply chains, namely the B-1B and the C-5A.
How Does a Rotable Differ From a Repairable Component?
There is no difference between a rotable and repairable component because a rotable is a repairable component. Rotables are meant to be taken out of service before broken and brought to serviceable condition, where they will be placed back into the rotation. Now, the air carrier can either:
- Keep it in their supply chain in fully serviceable condition for use in their fleet or
- Be sold on the open market to other airlines.
The Greenwood Advantage
Greenwood Aerospace knows the challenges in government aerospace contracting. We give you the advantage through our advanced procurement software, optimized supply and distribution strategies, flexible aircraft leasing options, and dedication to compliance and quality.
Our solutions address the immediate needs of government clients and anticipate future trends and requirements, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of the aerospace industry.
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