Anti-AOG Checklist: the supplies your hangar can't run out of

In aviation, the three letters no operations manager wants to hear are AOG: Aircraft On Ground. Every hour an aircraft stays grounded costs money and the cause, more often than people think, isn't a major failure: it's a consumable that wasn't available when it was needed.

An oil, a filter, a grease with the right certification. Small items, low unit cost, that can nonetheless halt an entire operation. The good news: this kind of AOG is prevented with planning. Below, a checklist of the supplies worth always keeping in stock.

What an AOG means and why it costs so much

An AOG is any situation in which an aircraft cannot fly until a problem is solved. The cost isn't only the repair: it's the cancelled flight, the idle crew, the relocated client and the operation's reputation. That's why, in maintenance, anticipating is always cheaper than reacting.

“The difference between sourcing a supply and already having it can be one day of operation. Or several.”

The checklist: supplies that can't be missing

1. Engine lubricants and oils

Each engine requires a precise grade and viscosity specification. Keep stock of the oil your aircraft use, verified against the applicable MIL-PRF and SAE standards.

2. Filters

Oil, fuel and air filters are scheduled-replacement consumables. Running out of the right filter mid-inspection is one of the easiest AOG causes to avoid.

3. Greases and special lubricants

Greases for landing gear, controls and bearings. These are specific products that aren't always quick to source locally all the more reason to keep them on hand.

4. LPS lines and corrosion protection

Cleaners, penetrants and corrosion-protection products. Frequently used supplies in any hangar that tend to run out without anyone noticing until they're gone.

How to build your own Anti-AOG checklist

Not every hangar needs the same things. The key is to build a list tailored to your operation. Four steps to do it:

• Review your aircraft's maintenance manuals and identify the scheduled-replacement consumables.
• Cross that list with the upcoming inspections on your maintenance calendar.
• Set a minimum stock per supply and a reorder point so you never hit zero.
• Choose a supplier with real stock, certification and traceability so reordering is reliable.

A well-built Anti-AOG checklist turns supply from a recurring emergency into a predictable routine. And predictable, in aviation, is exactly what you want.