The importance of identifying the right aircraft

Bret and I had the chance to catch up a couple of months ago with a friend we’ve worked with in the past. We know the team, we know the operation, so it was nice to hear what’s been happening on their end.

During the conversation, they mentioned ongoing issues with an aircraft I used to manage. The challenge? The aircraft is used almost exclusively for short trips, and the batteries don’t have enough time to properly recharge. At least once a month, they have to send another aircraft to assist.

It made me smile, but it also felt like a good example to share.

When I first started managing that same aircraft, I noticed something unusual: tires, specifically number 3, were being replaced far more frequently than expected. Since I was managing the aircraft remotely and couldn’t get to the hangar myself, I raised the question with my on-site contact and asked if he could help clarify.

After speaking with the crews, the answer became clear. Due to the runway configuration, they had to perform a very tight turn during line-up for take-off, which was causing the excessive wear.

That single insight made a difference. With that information:

• The aircraft manager identified a recurring issue through data review
• The operator helped validate and investigate the concern
• Flight Operations provided operational context
• Management and maintenance coordinated a mitigation plan

A simple example, but a valuable one.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy aircraft management.

Coming back to the battery issue my friend mentioned, this is an even more interesting case, and one that could likely have been assessed before leasing the aircraft.

Understanding the mission and the operating environment is critical when selecting the right aircraft. Factors such as short sectors, environmental conditions (like salt exposure), availability of components, qualified maintenance personnel, and nearby support infrastructure all play a role.

This becomes even more important in commercial operations, where delays and disruptions quickly translate into increased costs and operational impact.

And it doesn’t stop at selection, the way the aircraft is managed day-to-day matters just as much.

As my friend shared, they now need to send another aircraft each month to support this one. That means additional fuel, personnel, and maintenance costs.

If replacing the aircraft isn’t an option, there are still ways to mitigate the situation. For example, having a maintainer available to replace the battery, or assessing with the Authority whether this task could be performed by trained flight crew, where regulations allow.

Of course, even these solutions come with considerations, such as transporting spare batteries (dangerous goods) or ensuring proper storage and control at outstations.

We’re often asked questions like: “How much do you charge to set up an AOC?” or “What does it cost to manage an aircraft?”

The honest answer is: it depends.

We need to understand the full picture, how many aircraft, what type, how they’ll be used, where they’re based, whether they need to be imported…

It can feel like a lot of questions, but as these examples show, the details matter.

For some, this level of complexity can feel daunting. For me, it’s what makes the work interesting. Aircraft management is a puzzle, every piece matters, from the smallest detail to the bigger operational picture.

Annalisa - Aircraft Management Specialist, Co-Author of "Introduction to Aircraft Management"