Preferred Airparts

What Preferred Airparts does

Preferred Airparts, LLC is an Ohio-based specialty distributor of aircraft components operating as a division of JILCO Industries, Inc. The company supplies new surplus, used, and overhauled parts across avionics, deice boots, engine components, propellers, aircraft seats, and airframe hardware, with deep specialization in Continental and Lycoming piston engines and in Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, and Douglas DC-3 platforms. Inventory depth is a defining feature: over 10,000 part numbers, 3,500+ avionics SKUs, 150+ propellers, and 325+ parted-out Cessna twin aircraft feed a 95% same-day shipment operation from a single Apple Creek warehouse.

The company also runs a Fabric Division, operating as a factory authorized distributor for Poly-Fiber (Stits), Ceconite, and Randolph covering systems. This division serves experimental homebuilders and vintage aircraft restorers with pre-sewn fabric envelopes, coating materials, paints, and technical support including a 135-page instruction manual and a dedicated hotline. Exclusive distribution rights for Preferred Improvements LLC add Cessna Caravan, Twin Cessna, Pilatus PC-12, and DC-3/C-47 components and ground support equipment.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time unit sales via three channels: a direct e-commerce storefront with RFQ and inventory search, a toll-free phone sales operation, and an eBay marketplace presence. Pricing is per-unit with significant dispersion (apparel at $10-$65, propeller hubs up to $17,950, seats at $1,795-$4,950), and the company advertises 50% discounts on most new surplus parts. Customers are a fragmented long tail of general aviation operators, maintenance shops, homebuilders, and restorers, primarily in North America with international purchasing and shipping reach. The business carries no disclosed funding, no AI/technology capabilities, no patents, and no senior management team profile in the source data.

Name

Preferred Airparts

Legal name

Preferred Airparts, LLC

Website

https://www.preferredairparts.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Preferred Airparts is an Ohio-based specialty distributor of new surplus and used aircraft parts — avionics, engines, propellers, seats, deice boots, and airframe components — primarily serving general aviation operators, homebuilders, and vintage aircraft restorers through e-commerce, phone sales, and an eBay storefront, with a Fabric Division distributing Poly-Fiber, Ceconite, and Randolph covering systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Aviation Aircraft Parts Distribution

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace Interior Materials & Components (Cabin) (IMABANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)

Keywords

• Aircraft parts distribution
• General aviation supplies
• Engine parts sales
• Avionics distribution
• Fabric covering systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Apple Creek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Parts Sales: One-time sales of new surplus, used, and overhauled aircraft parts including avionics, engine components, propellers, seats, and airframe parts. Parts range from small components to complete engines.
2. Fabric Covering Products: Sales of aircraft fabric covering materials including Poly-Fiber and Ceconite fabrics, tapes, dopes, paints (Poly-Tone, Aero-Thane), and pre-sewn envelopes. Technical support included with product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Preferred Airparts sells new surplus, used, and overhauled aircraft parts — including avionics, engine parts (Continental, Lycoming, Williams, radial), propellers, deice boots, aircraft seats, and airframe parts — for general aviation aircraft such as Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, and DC-3/C-47. Through its Fabric Division, it distributes Poly-Fiber and Ceconite aircraft covering systems, pre-sewn fabric envelopes, and Randolph paints, supported by toll-free technical assistance and instructional materials. The company operates a direct e-commerce storefront, eBay store, phone sales, and an RFQ system serving aircraft owners, mechanics, and homebuilders.

Product overview

Preferred Airparts is an aircraft parts supplier offering a comprehensive e-commerce platform for new, surplus, and used parts across multiple categories. The product portfolio centers on avionics sales and services, engine parts (specializing in Continental and Lycoming), propeller systems (McCauley, Hartzell, Hamilton Standard), aircraft seats, and a Fabric Division offering the complete Poly-Fiber and Ceconite covering systems with pre-sewn envelopes and paints. Additional offerings include Preferred Improvements products for Cessna Caravan, Cessna Twin, Pilatus PC-12, and DC-3 aircraft, plus a Bargain Hangar for discounted parts. The platform functions as a traditional e-commerce site with inventory search, RFQ cart, and user registration—without any API, AI capabilities, or modern technology integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Preferred Airparts Fabric Division: Fabric covering products and supplies, including Poly-Fiber and Ceconite materials for aircraft recovery and refinishing. Formerly known as Aircraft Technical Support.

Products and services

• Avionics Sales New and used aircraft avionics components including radios, transponders, GPS systems, autopilots, and related parts from manufacturers such as ARC, King, Bendix, Collins, Narco, and Garmin. Sold to aircraft owners, mechanics, and FBOs maintaining general aviation avionics.
• Avionics Services Repair and service offerings for aircraft avionics equipment.
• Deice Boots Aircraft anti-ice and de-ice boots including surface boots and prop boots, primarily Goodrich products, offered with discounts on older cure-date stock for general aviation operators.
• Engine Parts Parts for piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft engines specializing in Lycoming and Continental platforms. Over 10,000 part numbers of new, used, and overhauled engine components with 50% discount on most new stock.
• Continental Engines Continental aircraft engines including models A-65, O-200, IO-360, IO-470, and TSIO-520, sold as cores, low-time, or mid-time units for aircraft operators and rebuilders.
• Continental Crankshafts Continental engine crankshafts for models C-125, GO-300, GTSIO-520, and IO-470, available in used, R&M, or repaired conditions.
• Continental Crankcases Continental engine crankcases for models O-200, O-300, IO-360, O-470, and IO/TSIO-520.
• Lycoming Engines Lycoming aircraft engines including IO-320 and O-360 models, offered as cores or used units for general aviation operators.
• Lycoming Crankshafts Lycoming engine crankshafts for models O-145, O-360, VO/TVO-435, IGSO-480, IGSO-540, TIO-540, and TIO-541.
• Lycoming Crankcases Lycoming engine crankcases for models O-320, LO-360, O-360, TVO-435, VO-435, O-540, IGSO-540, IO-540, and IO-720.
• Williams Engines Williams FJ-44 jet engines sold as cores for aircraft operators and engine rebuilders.
• DC-3 Engines R1820 and R1830 radial engines for DC-3 aircraft, available across various serial numbers for vintage fleet operators.
• Propellers & Parts McCauley, Hartzell, and Hamilton Standard propellers, blades, hubs, governors, and de-ice components — over 150 propellers in stock for general aviation propellers.
• Seats for Aircraft Aircraft seats for Cessna (single, twin, Caravan, Citation), Beechcraft, Piper, Pilatus PC-12, and DC-3 models.
• Fabric Division Factory authorized distributor for Poly-Fiber and Ceconite fabric covering systems, pre-sewn fabric envelopes, and aircraft coatings with technical support and instructional materials. For experimental aircraft builders and vintage aircraft restorers.
• Poly-Fiber System Complete all-vinyl Poly-Fiber fabric covering system including Poly-Tak cement, Poly-Brush sealer, Poly-Spray UV blocker, and Poly-Tone or Aero-Thane top coat paints. Includes 135-page manual and instructional video.
• Ceconite Products Polyester fabric covering products including Ceconite 101 (3.7 oz heavy duty), Ceconite 102 (2.7 oz standard), and Ceconite Light (1.7 oz ultralight), with associated tapes and coatings. Includes FAA-approved STC documentation.
• Pre-Sewn Fabric Envelopes Custom pre-sewn fabric envelopes for aircraft models including Aeronca, Beech, Cessna, Piper, Stinson, Stearman, Taylorcraft, WACO, and DC-3.
• Fabric Division Covering Paint Choices Aircraft fabric covering paints including Poly-Tone (satin finish), Aero-Thane (high-gloss polyurethane), and Poly-Fiber Enamel, available in over 50 colors.
• Preferred Improvements Products Products from Preferred Improvements LLC including ground support equipment, Cessna Caravan parts, Cessna Twin parts, Douglas DC-3 parts, and Pilatus PC-12 parts.
• Bargain Hangar Discounted aircraft parts across engines, propellers, DC-3 parts, fabric and paint, lighting, avionics, instruments, engine parts, airframe parts, wheels, brakes, tires, and shop supplies.
• Preferred Apparel Branded merchandise including backpacks, beanies, shirts, hoodies, and caps.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% same-day shipment capability
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Poly-Fiber (Stits)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFactory authorized distributor of Stits Poly-Fiber aircraft fabric covering system. Provides complete covering kits, technical support, and instructional materials. The Poly-Fiber system is an all-vinyl coating system with 30+ years of market history.
• CeconitecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFactory authorized distributor of Ceconite aircraft fabric covering products including 101, 102, and Light polyester fabrics, tapes, and associated products. Includes FAA-approved STC documentation.
• RandolphcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFactory authorized distributor of Randolph aviation paints and dopes for aircraft fabric covering. Products include Poly-Tone, Aero-Thane, and Randolph color line with over 50 color options.
• Preferred Improvements, LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor of Preferred Improvements products including Cessna Caravan, Twin Cessna, Pilatus PC-12, and Douglas DC-3/C-47 components and ground support equipment.
• JILCO Industries, Inc.coreOthersParent company structure. Preferred Airparts operates as a division of JILCO Industries, Inc.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. Largest catalog retailer of GA aircraft parts, pilot supplies, and building materials. Directly comparable product breadth (engines, avionics, hardware), same customer base (Cessna/Piper owners and homebuilders), and similar mix of new surplus and OEM-brand distribution.
• SkyGeek (Aircraft Tool Supply): Online aviation parts and tool retailer serving mechanics and GA operators. Competes head-to-head with Preferred Airparts on e-commerce distribution of consumables, hardware, and shop supplies, with a similar digital-first GTM motion.
• Wag-Aero: Distributor of aircraft parts, kits, and supplies for Cessna, Piper, and Aeronca owners, including a fabric division with Poly-Fiber covering products. Highly comparable given the overlap in airframe specialization and fabric recovery offerings.
• Chief Aircraft: Independent aircraft parts retailer carrying avionics, instruments, engine accessories, and airframe components for GA aircraft. Overlaps directly with Preferred Airparts on Cessna/Piper parts and avionics category.
• Marv Golden Auto Sales / Avionics: Long-standing avionics reseller specializing in used and overhauled GA avionics from King, Collins, Narco, Garmin. Direct competitor in the avionics category with comparable refurbished/surplus model and same customer base.
• Gulf Coast Avionics: Avionics sales, installation, and repair shop with parts distribution. Competes directly with Preferred's Avionics Sales and Services category, serving similar GA operators and experimental builders.
• Pacific Coast Avionics: Avionics retailer and installer carrying major brands (Garmin, Avidyne, Aspen) along with used and overhauled units. Direct overlap with Preferred's avionics lines and similar GA operator customer base.
• Univair Aircraft Corporation: Type certificate holder and parts manufacturer for legacy Cessna, Piper, and Aeronca aircraft. Comparable in its focus on discontinued/legacy airframe parts, although Univair holds STCs and PMA authority that Preferred does not.

Broad incumbents

• Cessna Parts (Textron Aviation Service Parts): OEM-direct parts channel for Cessna platforms. Competes with Preferred Airparts for Cessna operators but operates from a position of vertical integration, authorized service center network, and proprietary documentation that Preferred cannot match.

Others

• Poly-Fiber / Stits (partnership): Manufacturer of the Poly-Fiber covering system that Preferred Airparts distributes. Listed here as an enabling relationship — Preferred's fabric franchise is built on this brand, but Poly-Fiber itself is not a peer so much as a principal supplier.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PAPParts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Preferred Airparts