Buying an aircraft battery used to be straightforward. Historically, there was nickel cadmium for turbines and lead acid for smaller aircraft. That has changed with the advent of lithium batteries.
These days, when it’s time for a replacement (and as our survey proves, it may be sooner for some brands), take some time to determine which battery technology meets your specific needs. Here’s a primer to get you started, but first some tips on upkeep. We’ll focus on batteries for certificated aircraft, where prices have risen sharply in recent years.