The difference in our shop's static wick replacement rate after switching to a new supplier.

We used to replace about 20 static wicks a month on our regional jet fleet, mostly due to cracking at the base. That was with the standard brand we'd used for years. In January, our parts manager switched to a different supplier on a trial basis. Over the last three months, our replacement rate has dropped to maybe five a month total. The new wicks seem to have a more flexible collar that doesn't stress as much during thermal cycles. Has anyone else seen a big drop in failures after changing wick brands, or did we just get a lucky batch?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_elliot1mo ago

That drop from 20 to 5 is the kind of math I like to see. Sounds like your parts manager deserves a free lunch for that trial run. Maybe the old supplier was just selling you fancy, overpriced toothpicks this whole time. Did anyone check if the old wicks were actually made of dried spaghetti?

stella_rodriguez1mo agoMost Upvoted

Wait, did jason524 say they were cotton swabs?

jason5241mo ago

Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if the old wicks were just painted cotton swabs. The way that price fell apart, they were probably buying them from a craft store and marking them up 500%. Tbh, the new guy probably just went to the hardware store and got the real thing for a buck. That's how these suppliers get you, they just repackage cheap junk.