An AOG (aircraft on ground) event means an aircraft can't fly until a specific part is replaced, so every hour the part spends in transit is an hour of lost revenue and disrupted schedules. For MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) teams, getting the part from the supplier to the hangar is a race against the clock, and the courier is only one link in a chain that also includes sourcing, paperwork, and customs.
If the term is new to you, start with our explainer on what AOG shipping is. This guide focuses on the MRO team's point of view.
From Part Number to Hangar: The Typical Steps
- Identify the part: Confirm the exact part number and quantity required.
- Source it: Locate it with an OEM, a distributor, or a parts pool.
- Confirm the release documentation: Make sure the part ships with the paperwork it needs.
- Pack and prepare: Check packaging, and whether the part counts as dangerous goods.
- Dispatch directly: Have a courier collect it with no intermediate stops.
- Clear customs if needed: Prepare the documents if the part crosses a border.
- Deliver and receive: Hand the part over at the hangar or ramp, with delivery confirmation.
The Paperwork That Travels With a Part
An aircraft part is only useful if it arrives with documentation showing it is airworthy and traceable. Depending on the part and the jurisdiction, that may include an airworthiness release certificate, such as an FAA Form 8130-3, an EASA Form 1, or a Transport Canada authorized release certificate, along with supplier invoices and traceability records. A courier doesn't produce these documents, but it has to keep them with the part, undamaged, and make sure they arrive together. Missing or separated paperwork can leave a perfectly good part unusable until it's resolved.
Dangerous Goods and Special Handling
Some aircraft parts are classed as dangerous goods, including certain batteries, fire extinguishers, and oxygen generators, and they must be packed, labelled, and documented according to transport regulations. Others are fragile, high-value, or temperature-sensitive. Confirm handling requirements before dispatch rather than at the loading dock.
Why Location and Routing Matter
Proximity to a major airport shortens the most time-critical part of the chain. Rush Expedited Courier is headquartered in Dorval, minutes from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, which helps when a part arrives by air cargo and needs to reach a hangar quickly. Many parts also come from the United States. See our guide to cross-border courier shipping between Canada and the US for the customs steps involved.
What MRO Teams Should Expect From a Courier
- Fast, direct dispatch: A clear commitment on pickup time.
- Dispatch reachable outside business hours: AOG events don't follow office hours, so ask before you need it.
- Documents kept with the part: With delivery confirmation at the end.
- Cross-border know-how: When parts come from or go to the United States.
- Updates throughout: So the team can plan the work around the part's arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AOG mean in aviation?
AOG stands for aircraft on ground, meaning an aircraft is grounded and cannot fly until a specific part or repair is completed.
How quickly can an AOG part be delivered?
It depends on where the part is sourced and the distance to the aircraft, but AOG shipments are treated as top priority, often moving direct and same-day with no intermediate stops. Local airport-to-hangar legs can be completed in a matter of hours.
What documents travel with an aircraft part?
Typically an airworthiness release certificate such as an FAA Form 8130-3, EASA Form 1, or Transport Canada authorized release certificate, along with the supplier invoice and traceability records. Requirements depend on the part and the regulatory authority.
Can aircraft parts be shipped by a regular courier?
Some can, but parts that are dangerous goods, high-value, or documentation-critical benefit from a courier experienced with aviation shipments, since packaging, labelling, and paperwork all affect whether the part can be installed.
What happens when an AOG part comes from the United States?
It crosses the Canada-US border and needs customs documentation, such as a commercial invoice and correct tariff classification, in addition to the airworthiness paperwork. Preparing this in advance prevents delays at the border.
Conclusion
Delivering an AOG part is a matter of coordinating time, paperwork, and handling all at once. MRO teams that know in advance what they expect from their courier, including direct dispatch, preserved documentation, and border know-how, lose less time when an aircraft is grounded.
For urgent parts shipments, explore our aircraft parts courier service or request a quote.
See also: aircraft rotables and exchange logistics, business-jet AOG parts delivery, air cargo pickup at Montréal-Trudeau, shipping dangerous goods by courier in Canada, What Is an Onboard Courier?, how to choose an AOG parts courier and Montréal's aerospace cluster and parts logistics.