What Do Aircraft Part Condition Codes Like NS, OH, IN, and SV Mean

Aircraft part condition codes play a central role in how procurement specialists evaluate sourcing risk when purchasing components outside direct OEM or factory-new distribution channels, communicating the physical condition of a part and its associated certification status. The information offered through this standardized system is often essential, as it allows operators to determine whether a particular part is suitable for a specific installation or maintenance activity. In this blog, we will explain what aircraft part condition codes like NS, OH, IN, and SV mean, as well as outline factors buyers should consider when reviewing inventory listed under each designation.

What Are New Surplus Aircraft Parts?

New Surplus (NS) aircraft parts are unused components that were manufactured by the original manufacturer but never installed, most often originating from canceled production orders, fleet transitions, or excess OEM inventory that has entered the secondary market.

Important Considerations for NS Parts

• Certification Status: Although NS parts often retain original OEM or authorized release documentation, buyers should still verify that all certifications are complete, current, and clearly traceable to approved manufacturing or distribution sources.
• Storage History: As NS parts may remain in storage for extended periods, buyers should review storage records, packaging condition, and environmental controls before purchase to confirm that preservation requirements were consistently maintained.
• Pricing Benefits: NS inventory is typically offered at lower price points than factory-new parts, allowing procurement teams to realize cost savings while still sourcing components that have never been installed.
• Application Suitability: Buyers should confirm that NS parts of interest align with applicable regulatory acceptance criteria, aircraft configuration requirements, or anticipated service life expectations for the intended platform.

What Are Overhauled Aircraft Parts?

Overhauled (OH) aircraft parts are components that have undergone a regulated maintenance process intended to return them to an approved, serviceable condition that is in accordance with established technical data.

Important Considerations for OH Parts

• Approval Authority: As overhauled parts are typically released by repair stations, procurement specialists should confirm that the issuing facility is authorized to perform the specific overhaul tasks recorded for that part.
• Life Reset Implications: Some OH parts may have time-since-overhaul or cycle limits reset when they undergo initial servicing, which directly affects remaining service life and maintenance planning.
• Documentation Detail: Buyers should review overhaul records to confirm that work performed aligns with applicable maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and airworthiness directives associated with the part number in question.
• Operational Fit: Overhauled inventory is often selected for applications where traceability, regulatory compliance, and functional reliability are required, but sourcing factory-new components proves to not be cost-effective.

What Are Serviceable Aircraft Parts?

Serviceable (SV) aircraft parts are components that were considered operationally usable at the time of removal or evaluation, though the specific meaning of this designation can vary widely depending on a seller’s internal standards and the documentation that accompanies the part.

Important Considerations for SV Parts

• Removal Context: Buyers should keep in mind that many SV parts are removed during scheduled maintenance events, system upgrades, or aircraft teardown activities, rather than as a result of confirmed component failure or malfunction.
• Documentation Dependence: The confidence buyers can place in SV inventory is closely tied to the completeness of supporting records, including removal tags, logbook references, or maintenance release statements.
• Condition Uncertainty: SV components generally have not undergone recent formal inspection, disassembly, or functional testing beyond a basic operational assessment performed at removal, making their exact condition not always clear.
• Buyer Verification: Procurement specialists should apply due diligence when evaluating SV parts to confirm alignment with applicable airworthiness directives, regulatory requirements, and internal operational standards.

What Are Inspected and Tested Aircraft Parts?

Inspected and Tested (IN) aircraft parts are components that have undergone defined inspection or functional testing procedures to verify their current condition and basic operability, without any repair work being performed.

Important Considerations for IN Parts

• Life Status: IN parts retain all previously accumulated time, cycles, or usage history when given their designation, as inspection or testing activities do not reset any portion of a component’s service life.
• Testing Standards: The reliability of IN inventory is closely tied to whether inspections or tests were performed in accordance with OEM maintenance data, approved technical manuals, or recognized industry standards.
• Documentation Limits: Documentation accompanying IN parts confirms test results only, commonly forcing buyers to distinguish between what was verified and what remains unaddressed.
• Use Case Alignment: IN parts are commonly selected for applications where verifying basic functionality suffices and a full overhaul is neither operationally necessary nor economically viable.

Explore Our Extensive Selection of Aircraft Parts

ASAP Semiconductor is a procurement platform where you can find competitive options on new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find aircraft parts that are sourced from a network of reputable entities. While other channels may make you decide between quality, pricing, and timely delivery when securing parts with varied conditions, we leverage our industry connections and purchasing power to present balanced solutions that cater to the unique specifications of each customer. Keeping our commitments in mind, begin perusing our catalog today or get in contact with a team member by phone or email to see why a myriad of professionals consistently choose us for their part needs.