How an AS9100D-Certified Aerospace Distributor Uses Hytera HP782 DMR Radios to Coordinate Receiving, Fulfillment, and Shipping

Customer: Associated Aircraft Supply Co. LLC — Grapevine, TX

Industry: Aviation & Aerospace Electromechanical Distribution

Radios Deployed: 4x Hytera HP782 UHF (350–470 MHz) + 4x Hytera HP782 VHF (136–174 MHz)

Facility: 16,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center

Supplier: TwoWayRadio.com (Ion, Inc.) — Stillwater, MN

Founded in 1953, Associated Aircraft Supply Co. LLC has spent more than seven decades earning its reputation as a leading stocking and value-added distributor of electromechanical products for the aviation, aerospace, and defense sectors. Operating from a 16,000-square-foot distribution center in Grapevine, Texas, the company maintains an inventory of over 7,000 parts—ranging from mil-spec switches and relays to connectors, sensors, illuminated indicators, and specialty wire—to serve commercial airlines, military programs, helicopter manufacturers, maintenance-repair-and-overhaul (MRO) shops, and fixed-base operators (FBOs) across the country.

The company holds AS9100D and AS9120B quality-management certifications and has been recognized as a Gold Supplier by Boeing, a Superior Supplier by Bell Helicopter, and a Star Supplier by Lockheed Martin. In an industry where precision, traceability, and speed-to-deliver are non-negotiable, every link in the operational chain—including internal communications—must perform to the same exacting standard.

A 16,000-square-foot warehouse stocked with thousands of small, high-value parts demands precise coordination between receiving, inventory, quality inspection, and order fulfillment teams. In an environment where a single misrouted part number can ripple into a customer-facing compliance issue, staff need to communicate instantly and reliably without leaving their work areas to track down a colleague or wait for a cell phone call to connect.

The facility also serves customers with urgent, time-sensitive requirements—an aircraft on the ground waiting for a certified component cannot wait. The warehouse team’s ability to rapidly locate, verify, and stage parts depends directly on how efficiently personnel can coordinate across the floor, the receiving dock, and the shipping area. Associated Aircraft needed a communications solution that could match the rugged, professional character of the aerospace products it distributes.

Working with TwoWayRadio.com—a specialty two-way radio dealer based in Stillwater, Minnesota—Associated Aircraft selected the Hytera HP782 as its communications platform of choice. The company deployed eight HP782 units in two complementary frequency bands:

UHF frequencies are well suited for dense, metal-rich indoor environments. Inside a warehouse filled with metal shelving, wire spools, and metal-cased components, UHF signals penetrate obstacles more effectively, providing consistent coverage across the entire floor, including storage aisles and the receiving dock.

VHF frequencies travel farther over open ground with less power, making the VHF units particularly effective for communications between the warehouse interior and outdoor areas such as the loading zone and parking apron. Together, the dual-band deployment gives Associated Aircraft a flexible, layered radio network that covers both enclosed and transitional spaces.

The Hytera HP782 is a professional-grade DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) device built to demanding specifications that align naturally with the standards-driven culture at Associated Aircraft:

IP68 Ingress Protection rating means the radio is fully dustproof and submersion-resistant—an important quality in a working warehouse where parts cleaning, humidity, and physical wear are everyday realities.

DMR digital protocol delivers clear, noise-free audio even in loud industrial environments, ensuring critical part numbers, bin locations, and shipping instructions are communicated accurately every time.

1,024-channel capacity provides ample room to organize talk groups by team or function—for example, separating receiving conversations from fulfillment or quality-inspection channels—without purchasing additional hardware.

DTMF signaling enables selective calling and integration with external systems, supporting future expansion of the communications infrastructure.

OLED display provides high-contrast readability under the bright fluorescent lighting typical of a distribution center environment.

When a shipment arrives at the Stone Myers Parkway receiving dock, the receiving team uses the HP782 to immediately notify quality inspection and inventory personnel. In an AS9100D-certified facility, incoming parts must be inspected and documented before they enter the active inventory. Instant radio contact compresses the time between delivery and shelf-ready status, keeping stock levels current and order commitments on schedule.

With more than 7,000 part numbers across a 16,000-square-foot floor, pickers frequently need to consult with supervisors or colleagues about part location, substitute part numbers, or traceability documentation. The HP782’s clear digital audio allows staff to relay part numbers and bin addresses reliably, reducing picking errors and the time spent walking back to a central workstation.

Associated Aircraft ships via UPS Ground using a customer-assigned account number, and time-sensitive aerospace orders may require coordination with carriers on tight pickup windows. The shipping team uses radios to coordinate staged shipments, confirm package weights and labels, and alert the receiving dock when a UPS driver arrives—keeping freight moving without bottlenecks.

In any warehouse environment, quick communication is also a safety asset. The HP782’s robust build and reliable coverage ensure that supervisors can reach any team member within the facility instantly in the event of an incident, spill, or equipment issue, supporting the company’s commitment to a safe and compliant workplace.

By deploying eight Hytera HP782 radios across two frequency bands, Associated Aircraft Supply has established a communications infrastructure that reflects the same professional rigor as the aerospace components it distributes. Key operational benefits include:

Faster order cycle times through immediate coordination between receiving, inspection, picking, and shipping teams.

Reduced picking and documentation errors enabled by clear, noise-free DMR digital audio.

Seamless indoor/outdoor coverage provided by the complementary UHF and VHF frequency split.

Equipment durability aligned with the industrial warehouse environment, supported by the IP68-rated HP782 chassis.

Scalable channel capacity that accommodates future team growth without requiring new hardware investment.

Associated Aircraft Supply Co. LLC is an AS9100D and AS9120B certified stocking distributor of electromechanical products for the aviation, aerospace, defense, and MRO industries. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, the company serves commercial and military aviation customers worldwide. For more information, visit associated-aircraft.com.

TwoWayRadio.com, operated by Ion, Inc., is a specialty retailer and dealer of professional two-way radio communications equipment headquartered in Stillwater, Minnesota. The company provides radios, accessories, and communications solutions to businesses across a wide range of industries. For more information, visit twowayradio.com or call 866-589-6929.

TwoWayRadio.com|Ion, Inc.|6770 Stillwater Blvd N, Ste 205, Stillwater, MN 55082|sales@twowayradio.com|866-589-6929