What Is an AOG Event?

AOG — Aircraft on Ground — is the aviation industry's highest-priority designation for a situation where an aircraft is unable to fly due to a mechanical discrepancy, parts shortage, or other technical issue. An AOG event means your aircraft is grounded at its current location, unable to complete its mission or reposition until the issue is resolved.

AOG events can occur for many reasons: an in-flight discrepancy that prevents further flight, a ground-identified issue during pre-flight inspection, a failed component that must be replaced before dispatch, or even a regulatory hold pending documentation resolution. Whatever the cause, an AOG event creates immediate operational and logistical challenges — passengers stranded, schedules disrupted, and the clock ticking on resolution.

For aircraft owners who rely on their jets for critical travel — business meetings, medical appointments, family commitments — an AOG event is more than an inconvenience. It is a genuine emergency that requires professional, rapid, and resourceful response. This is exactly what Plane Selection's AOG support team delivers.

Our AOG Response Process

Immediate Assessment (0-30 Minutes)

The moment an AOG event is reported — by your crew, an FBO, or our maintenance tracking systems — our response protocol activates:

• Technical diagnosis: Our maintenance controllers work with the on-site crew and maintenance providers to identify the exact nature of the discrepancy and determine the repair requirements
• Severity classification: We assess whether the issue is a true AOG (aircraft cannot safely fly) or whether MEL/CDL provisions allow safe dispatch with deferred maintenance
• Impact assessment: We evaluate the impact on your travel plans and determine whether alternative arrangements are needed
• Initial communication: You receive a clear, concise update on the situation, the likely timeline for resolution, and our recommended course of action

Rapid Resolution (30 Minutes - 4 Hours)

Once the issue is identified, our team executes a coordinated resolution strategy:

• Parts sourcing: Our parts procurement team begins immediately sourcing the required parts through our global network of OEM distributors, exchange companies, and salvage operators. For common AOG parts, we can often arrange same-day or next-day delivery via AOG shipping
• Maintenance dispatch: If on-site maintenance capability is insufficient, we dispatch qualified technicians from the nearest available location. Our MRO network includes mobile repair teams strategically positioned across major aviation markets
• Local coordination: We coordinate with the local FBO, airport authority, and ground services to ensure the aircraft has hangar access, ground power, and any other support needed for the repair
• Alternative lift: If the repair timeline exceeds your schedule requirements, our charter team begins identifying alternative aircraft to keep you on schedule. We prioritize aircraft of similar capability and cabin class to minimize disruption to your travel experience

Repair and Return to Service (Variable Timeline)

Once parts arrive and maintenance personnel are in position:

• Repair work is performed under appropriate regulatory supervision
• Quality inspections verify the repair meets all applicable standards
• Required documentation (logbook entries, work orders, return-to-service statements) is completed
• Post-maintenance operational checks verify system functionality
• Aircraft is returned to service with full maintenance controller sign-off

Post-Event Review

After every AOG event, we conduct a thorough review to identify root causes and prevent recurrence:

• Root cause analysis of the failure or discrepancy
• Review of maintenance program adequacy — should different inspection intervals or procedures be adopted?
• Assessment of response effectiveness — what went well, what could be improved?
• Warranty or manufacturer claim evaluation
• Update to maintenance tracking and monitoring protocols as needed

Response Time Commitment

Time is the critical factor in AOG events. Plane Selection commits to the following response timelines:

• Initial acknowledgment: Within 15 minutes of AOG report, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Technical assessment: Within 1 hour, including preliminary diagnosis and estimated resolution timeline
• Parts sourcing initiation: Within 1 hour of part identification, with expedited shipping options activated immediately
• Alternative lift proposal: Within 2 hours if repair timeline exceeds your schedule requirements
• Regular status updates: Every 2 hours during active AOG resolution, or more frequently during critical phases

These commitments are backed by our 24/7 operations center, which is staffed around the clock by experienced dispatchers and operations specialists. There is no voicemail, no waiting for business hours, and no hand-offs to unfamiliar personnel. When you call with an AOG, you reach a knowledgeable professional who can immediately begin resolving the situation.

Global Maintenance Network

Effective AOG response requires maintenance capability wherever your aircraft might be grounded. Plane Selection maintains a global network of maintenance partners positioned to respond to AOG events at airports worldwide:

• North America: Authorized service centers and independent MROs at all major and most secondary airports, with mobile repair capability covering the entire continent
• Europe: Comprehensive coverage across Western and Eastern Europe, including OEM service centers for Dassault, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and other major types
• Middle East: Major maintenance partners in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, and Riyadh, with capability for most business jet types
• Asia-Pacific: Growing network of qualified maintenance providers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and other key business aviation markets
• Africa: Established partnerships in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco for aircraft operating on the continent

At each network location, we maintain pre-negotiated response agreements that guarantee priority attention and competitive pricing for our managed aircraft. This means faster response times and lower costs than an unmanaged aircraft owner would typically experience.

Parts Sourcing Capability

The ability to locate and deliver the right part quickly is often the determining factor in AOG resolution time. Our parts procurement capability includes:

• OEM direct relationships: Priority access to OEM parts inventories at Bombardier, Dassault, Gulfstream, Textron Aviation, Embraer, and other manufacturers
• Exchange networks: Partnerships with major component exchange companies (HEICO, Aviall, Satair, etc.) that maintain extensive inventories of serviceable exchange units
• AOG desks: Direct lines to AOG desks at major parts distributors who maintain dedicated inventory for emergency situations
• Global logistics: Relationships with aviation-specialized freight companies that provide same-day and next-day delivery of AOG parts worldwide, including customs clearance coordination for international shipments
• Loan and loaner programs: Access to manufacturer and distributor loaner programs that provide temporary replacement components while permanent parts are sourced or repaired

Mobile Repair Teams

When an aircraft is grounded at a location without adequate maintenance facilities — a small regional airport, an international destination with limited business aviation infrastructure, or a remote airfield — mobile repair capability becomes essential. Plane Selection can deploy mobile repair teams equipped to perform a wide range of maintenance tasks on-site:

• Component replacement (avionics, actuators, pumps, valves, etc.)
• Engine troubleshooting and minor repairs
• Tire and brake changes
• APU troubleshooting and repair
• Electrical system diagnosis and repair
• Landing gear servicing
• Emergency sheet metal repairs

Our mobile teams travel with the tools, test equipment, and consumables needed for the most common AOG scenarios. For more specialized repairs, we can arrange supplemental tooling and equipment to be shipped alongside the repair team.

Communication Protocols

Clear, consistent communication is critical during AOG events, when stress levels are high and decisions need to be made quickly. Our communication protocols ensure you are always informed:

• Single point of contact: One dedicated coordinator manages all aspects of the AOG response and serves as your primary contact for updates and decisions
• Multi-channel communication: Updates via your preferred method — phone, text/SMS, email, or owner portal. All channels are active 24/7
• Stakeholder management: If you authorize it, we communicate directly with your assistant, flight department manager, or other designated contacts to keep everyone informed
• Decision support: When decisions are needed — repair vs. replace, wait for parts vs. fly alternative aircraft — we present clear options with honest assessments of timelines, costs, and risks
• Post-resolution report: A written summary of the event, actions taken, costs incurred, and recommendations for prevention is provided after every AOG event

AOG Events: Case Illustrations

The following anonymized examples illustrate our AOG response capabilities in action:

Avionics Failure — Remote European Airport

A managed Global 6500 experienced a flight management system anomaly during a stop in a small European city with no business aviation maintenance capability. Our AOG team diagnosed the issue remotely within 45 minutes, sourced a replacement LRU from the OEM's European parts hub, and dispatched a mobile technician from our nearest network partner. The part was delivered and installed within 18 hours, and the aircraft was returned to service with minimal schedule disruption. Meanwhile, our operations team arranged a charter aircraft to transport the owner to their next meeting on time.

Engine Exceedance — Middle Eastern Hub

A managed Falcon 7X experienced an engine exceedance event during startup at a Middle Eastern airport. Our maintenance controllers coordinated with Pratt & Whitney's AOG desk and determined that a borescope inspection was required before the engine could be returned to service. We dispatched an engine specialist from our European network who arrived within 12 hours, performed the borescope inspection, and cleared the engine for continued operation. Total downtime: 16 hours.

Hydraulic Leak — US Domestic Flight

During pre-flight inspection at a secondary US airport, the crew of a managed Challenger 350 identified a hydraulic leak requiring component replacement. Our parts team located a serviceable exchange unit within 30 minutes and arranged same-day air freight delivery. A local A&P mechanic from our MRO network performed the replacement that evening. The aircraft was returned to service the following morning, less than 20 hours after the discrepancy was identified.