EP 84: Meet the Expert: Inside the Engine Shortage| DER Repairs, Lead Times, & Strategy with Rick Tobey

In today’s engine market, access and lead time matter as much as parts. What keeps programs moving is rarely one big move. It’s a series of disciplined decisions. Choosing the right path early. Keeping records clean. And reducing delays before they compound. This episode launches Meet the Experts, a Nose to Tail series featuring the specialists inside Jet Midwest. Host Patrick Kraus (COO & Managing Director, Jet Midwest) sits down with Rick Tobey (Director of Engine Programs, Jet Midwest) to walk through how engine decisions actually get made, and what experienced teams do to keep work moving when timelines tighten. This episode covers: + Why engine shortages continue to impact the market + How lead times are changing the way decisions get made + What DER repairs are and why they matter more than ever + The balance between OEM, PMA, and alternative repair strategies + How relationships with repair shops influence outcomes + What has changed in the engine market since COVID + Where additive manufacturing and new technology may play a role This is a look at the reality behind engine programs. The constraints. The decisions. And the people working through them every day.  If you work in aviation, you know there is no single path to a solution. Get ready for new episodes of our podcast every other Friday.  Learn more about our sponsor, Jet Midwest, at jetmidwest.com. Jet Midwest is a global, multifaceted aircraft service provider. Since 1997, it has specialized in providing exceptional value to the commercial aviation industry through complete nose-to-tail product support solutions for passenger and cargo aircraft.