AOG 101: What Happens When Your Jet is Grounded?
Call 843-227-4287 for 24/7 emergency jet maintenance service
The benefits of preventative maintenance for aircraft can not be overstated. It’s how you maximize the jet’s value, safety, and reliability. You’ll find engine insurance programs are an essential component for developing your maintenance schedule.
You can plan for a lot of things as a jet owner. Still, unexpected events can happen with no notice and leave your craft grounded. So as you consider your jet’s lifecycle plan, it’s important to be prepared for when your jet is AOG.
Global MX expert mechanics are standing by 24/7 to assist in case of maintenance emergencies. Save our toll-free number, 843-227-4287, and call us immediately when your plane has been grounded so we can put a plan in action.
Here’s what you need to know about AOG events. Contact us anytime to learn more about our emergency jet maintenance services.
What is AOG? What Causes It?
AOG (aircraft on ground) is a term used for aircraft that are unable to fly due to a serious maintenance issue. AOG status requires immediate action to repair the issue before the jet can return to service. Prolonged AOG can disrupt flight schedules and lead to significant losses for airframe owners.
Numerous events can cause a jet to be AOG. It might be an unexpected mechanical failure — the engines, hydraulic systems, landing gear, and flight controls are common culprits. Jets can also sustain structural damage from bird and lightning strikes or accidents with airport equipment on the ground.
Avionics failures also cause AOG. Communication and navigation systems can malfunction, and flight instruments can fail. AOG might also be forced on your craft by an airworthiness directive (AD) issued by the FAA. These require operators of a certain airframe model to immediately address a known safety issue.
What To Do When Your Jet Is AOG
The short answer is, call us!
“The most important thing to know is that if it breaks, we’ll come fix it,” says Ray Clapp, Global MX Chief Inspector. “These things happen at the worst possible time, so we have a 24/7 hotline for AOG service. We can fly out to the aircraft, or we’ve also had aircraft land here in Allentown or Hazleton for service. If you blow a tire, or an Engine Indicating and Crew Alert System (EICAS) is triggered, you might not get someone to even look at the issue until Monday morning without AOG services.”
What Does The Repair Process Look Like?
“In this day and age, AOG services are faster than ever,” Clapp continues. “Communication is very important to resolve AOG issues and smart phones make it much easier. Clients can send pictures of the problem and we can walk them through some diagnostics over the 
phone. This will help us to know what tools or parts to bring to the AOG to get the repair done.”
Even though technology has improved the timeline, emergency repairs are still unpredictable. You might think it’s just a flat tire, only for mechanics to arrive and see that the incident also damaged the landing gear, for example.
Our best advice is to keep our phone number in your aircraft. If you land at an airport that isn’t open 24/7, you won’t be caught unaware if the worst case happens.
After dispatching AOG teams and diagnosing the extent of the problem, we coordinate with the original equipment manufacturer to source replacement parts. Our goal is to help expedite the process as much as possible while still making the safety and reliability of the craft our top priority.
Is AOG Expensive?
Typically, AOG services are an out-of-pocket expense for jet owners. Because it involves after-hours travel and expedited shipping, AOG fees are more expensive than the same repair done during scheduled maintenance. Having funds set aside for possible AOG repairs should be a part of the financial planning for your asset’s life cycle.
AOG? Make Us Your First Call
Global MX is standing by 24/7 to help resolve your AOG, minimize your flight disruptions and ensure the safety of your craft.
Call (843) 227-4287 for AOG repairs!