Ground an Aircraft

When an aircraft can't fly, take it off the schedule so nobody books it. Logging a grounding squawk alone doesn't do that: it marks the aircraft and puts a hold on its preflight check, but bookings still go through. Use one of the options below.

Option 1: set the aircraft Unavailable

Use this when you don't know how long it'll be down.

1. Open Aircraft and click Status.
2. Pick the aircraft.
3. In Scheduling Status, set Status to Unavailable.
4. Click Save.

Unavailable hides the aircraft from the schedule and from the aircraft list on new reservations until you set it back to Available.

You can also open the aircraft with Manage Aircraft, click Edit Aircraft, and choose Set Status.

Option 2: block it for a maintenance window

Use this when you know when it goes in and comes out, like a three-day annual.

1. Open Aircraft > Status and pick the aircraft.
2. Set Status to In maintenance (schedule block) and click Save.
3. Pick the start and end dates and times.
4. Click Schedule Maintenance.

A maintenance block appears on the aircraft's row for that window. New bookings over it show a conflict.

Option 3: block it from a work order

If you're tracking the repair in a work order, fill in Block the schedule (optional) on the work order. Completing the work order removes the block and sets the aircraft back to Available, unless another open work order or grounding squawk still keeps it down. See Create and Complete a Work Order.

Before you ground it

Check for flights already booked on the aircraft. Open Reservations, look at Today and Future, and move those reservations to another aircraft or cancel them so customers aren't surprised.

Put the aircraft back in service

• Unavailable: open Aircraft > Status, pick the aircraft, set it to Available, and click Save.
• Maintenance block: open the block on the Schedule and click Complete Maintenance. You can enter Hobbs and Tach in and attach a receipt. Completing it sets the aircraft back to Available. If the block is no longer needed at all, an admin can void it instead.
• Work order: click Mark Complete on the work order.

Tips

• An open grounding squawk shows a red marker next to the tail number on the day schedule. It goes away when the squawk is resolved or picked up by a work order.
• Overdue inspections can block bookings automatically with Block overdue aircraft in Settings > Scheduling. See Track Aircraft Inspections and Due Dates.

Troubleshooting

• "Only admins and instructors can change an aircraft's scheduling status." Ask an admin, or an instructor with Can Manage Aircraft.
• The aircraft didn't go back to Available after a work order. Another work order or grounding squawk is still open on it. Check Maintenance > Work Orders and Squawks.
• "Time Slot Unavailable" when scheduling maintenance. A reservation overlaps the window. Move it first.