SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)       SEPTEMBER 30, 1997


                             AVIATION SALES COMPANY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)


DELAWARE                                  1-11775               65-0665658
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION            (COMMISSION           (IRS EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION)                       FILE NUMBER)         IDENTIFICATION NO.)



                      6905 NW 25TH STREET, MIAMI, FL 33122
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)


REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE      (305) 592-4055


                                       N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          (FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS; IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)


<PAGE>



ITEM 2.           ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

         On September 30, 1997, Aviation Sales Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") entered into and closed a definitive merger
agreement with Aerocell Structures, Inc., an Arkansas corporation ("Aerocell"),
pursuant to which Aerocell became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the
"Merger"). Aerocell located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, specializes in the
maintenance, repair and overhaul of airframe components and is a Federal
Aviation Authority licensed aircraft parts overhaul and repair facility.

         In connection with the consummation of the Merger, which was accounted
for under the pooling of interest business combination method of accounting, the
Company issued 620,970 unregistered shares of its Common Stock in exchange for
all of the outstanding stock of Aerocell. The Company agreed to file after the
Merger a registration statement covering the Company common stock issued in
connection with the Merger. The transaction is valued at approximately $18
million dollars. The aggregate purchase price was determined in arms-length
negotiations between the Company and shareholders of Aerocell.


         In addition, Mr. James Y. Johnson, II and Mr. Kenneth D. Loomer signed
three-year employment agreements with Aerocell to serve as Vice President of
Sales and Marketing and Vice President of Operations, respectively, of Aerocell.

ITEM 5.           OTHER EVENTS

         On October 7, 1997, the Company entered into a definitive asset
purchase agreement to acquire the assets of Kratz-Wilde Machine Company
("Kratz-Wilde") for approximately $42.5 million, payable in cash. The
acquisition is to be financed from existing bank lines of credit and is subject
to certain conditions, including governmental approvals. Kratz-Wilde is a
Cincinnati-based company that specializes in the manufacture of machined
components primarily for jet engines, but also produces some automotive and
faucet components.

        Under the definitive agreement, key members of Kratz-Wilde's management
group will sign employment agreements with the Company and assume on-going
management of Kratz-Wilde.

ITEM 7.           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND 
                  EXHIBITS.

         (A)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED.

                  Not applicable.

         (B)      PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

                  Not applicable since Aerocell is not considered to be a
                  "significant subsidiary" of the Company as that term is
                  defined in Section 210.1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.

         (c)      Exhibits.


                                        2

<PAGE>


                                                                               
     EXHIBIT NO.                       DESCRIPTION       
     ----------                        -----------
                            
         2.1           Merger Agreement by and between Aviation Sales
                       Company, AVS/ASI Merger Corp., Aerocell Structures,
                       Inc., and the shareholders of Aerocell Structures, dated 
                       as of September 30, 1997.

        99.1           Press Release dated September 30, 1997 announcing the
                       consummation of the Merger.



                                        3

<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


October 15, 1997                  AVIATION SALES COMPANY



                                  By:  /S/ DALE S. BAKER
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Dale S. Baker
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer



                                        4

<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



     EXHIBIT NO.                       DESCRIPTION       
     ----------                        -----------
                            
         2.1           Merger Agreement by and between Aviation Sales
                       Company, AVS/ASI Merger Corp., Aerocell Structures,
                       Inc., and the shareholders of Aerocell Structures, dated 
                       as of September 30, 1997.

        99.1           Press Release dated September 30, 1997 announcing the
                       consummation of the Merger.
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "secsgml_size_bytes": 6069}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AVIATION SALES CO", "cik": "0001012159", "assigned-sic": "5084", "irs-number": "650665658", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-11775", "film-number": "97696028"}, "business-address": {"street1": "6905 NW 25TH ST", "city": "MIAMI", "state": "FL", "zip": "33122", "phone": "3055924055"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "6905 NW 25TH ST", "street2": "6905 N W 25TH STREET", "city": "MIAMI", "state": "FL", "zip": "33122"}}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED)       SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

                             AVIATION SALES COMPANY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

DELAWARE                                  1-11775               65-0665658
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION            (COMMISSION           (IRS EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION)                       FILE NUMBER)         IDENTIFICATION NO.)

                      6905 NW 25TH STREET, MIAMI, FL 33122
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE      (305) 592-4055

                                       N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          (FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS; IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)
ITEM 2.           ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

         On September 30, 1997, Aviation Sales Company, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") entered into and closed a definitive merger
agreement with Aerocell Structures, Inc., an Arkansas corporation ("Aerocell"),
pursuant to which Aerocell became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the
"Merger"). Aerocell located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, specializes in the
maintenance, repair and overhaul of airframe components and is a Federal
Aviation Authority licensed aircraft parts overhaul and repair facility.

         In connection with the consummation of the Merger, which was accounted
for under the pooling of interest business combination method of accounting, the
Company issued 620,970 unregistered shares of its Common Stock in exchange for
all of the outstanding stock of Aerocell. The Company agreed to file after the
Merger a registration statement covering the Company common stock issued in
connection with the Merger. The transaction is valued at approximately $18
million dollars. The aggregate purchase price was determined in arms-length
negotiations between the Company and shareholders of Aerocell.

         In addition, Mr. James Y. Johnson, II and Mr. Kenneth D. Loomer signed
three-year employment agreements with Aerocell to serve as Vice President of
Sales and Marketing and Vice President of Operations, respectively, of Aerocell.

ITEM 5.           OTHER EVENTS

         On October 7, 1997, the Company entered into a definitive asset
purchase agreement to acquire the assets of Kratz-Wilde Machine Company
("Kratz-Wilde") for approximately $42.5 million, payable in cash. The
acquisition is to be financed from existing bank lines of credit and is subject
to certain conditions, including governmental approvals. Kratz-Wilde is a
Cincinnati-based company that specializes in the manufacture of machined
components primarily for jet engines, but also produces some automotive and
faucet components.

        Under the definitive agreement, key members of Kratz-Wilde's management
group will sign employment agreements with the Company and assume on-going
management of Kratz-Wilde.

ITEM 7.           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND 
                  EXHIBITS.

         (A)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED.

                  Not applicable.

         (B)      PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

                  Not applicable since Aerocell is not considered to be a
                  "significant subsidiary" of the Company as that term is
                  defined in Section 210.1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.

         (c)      Exhibits.

                                        2
EXHIBIT NO.                       DESCRIPTION       
     ----------                        -----------
                            
         2.1           Merger Agreement by and between Aviation Sales
                       Company, AVS/ASI Merger Corp., Aerocell Structures,
                       Inc., and the shareholders of Aerocell Structures, dated 
                       as of September 30, 1997.

        99.1           Press Release dated September 30, 1997 announcing the
                       consummation of the Merger.

                                        3
SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

October 15, 1997                  AVIATION SALES COMPANY

                                  By:  /S/ DALE S. BAKER
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Dale S. Baker
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer

                                        4
EXHIBIT INDEX

     EXHIBIT NO.                       DESCRIPTION       
     ----------                        -----------
                            
         2.1           Merger Agreement by and between Aviation Sales
                       Company, AVS/ASI Merger Corp., Aerocell Structures,
                       Inc., and the shareholders of Aerocell Structures, dated 
                       as of September 30, 1997.

        99.1           Press Release dated September 30, 1997 announcing the
                       consummation of the Merger.