Aircraft components require careful handling during transportation to ensure that the expensive parts are delivered intact. The sheer size, weight, and intricate engineering of some components present unique challenges to shipping companies and transporters.
Knowing how to transport parts safely requires careful consideration of various factors, including the size and weight of the part. Different requirements must be considered to ensure the parts are delivered safely and securely.
Type of Aircraft Part to Be Shipped
The first thing to consider when shipping an aircraft part is the type. Different types of parts require different handling.
High value or fragile
High-value parts include items such as engines or fragile components like gyroscopes, which require specialised packaging and the use of specific equipment to handle their weight and delicate nature. Transporting such parts may require the use of protective cases to prevent fire and leaks. Custom foam can also be used to protect the fragile parts.
Hazmat
Hazardous materials, or Hazmat, include parts or substances that may pose potential health risks, safety concerns, or property damage. These types of parts must be appropriately classified and packed with labels that identify the type of hazard. These can be flammable, explosive, or poisonous, among other classifications.
When shipping hazardous materials (Hazmat) packages, you may incur additional fees and extra paperwork. The paperwork required for such parts is often lengthy and could easily compromise the efficiency of shipping the aircraft part.
Weight and size
The weight and size of the part will also determine how you ship the parts. Some parts are sizable and heavy, making them more suitable for transportation by sea, while others are better suited for air transport to ensure they are handled delicately.
When considering the size and weight of the part being shipped, there are several key points to note:
- The weight and dimensions of the aircraft part determine which shipping method will best accommodate the part in question.
- Aircraft parts shipments are either classified as “small package” or “freight.”
- Whether the shipment is considered “small package” or “freight” will depend on the shipping service you choose.
- Generally, a “small package” is defined as anything that weighs less than 70 kilograms or does not exceed 108 inches in width and 165 inches in length, respectively.
- Freight shipments must be on pallets or in crates if they measure up to 21 feet in length.
Handling Equipment Used in the Safe Shipment of Aircraft Parts
It’s not just the shipping process that determines the safe delivery of the aircraft parts, but also the equipment and handling materials used in the process. Some of the commonly used equipment in the process of safely shipping aircraft parts include the following:
Industrial pallet boxes
Industrial pallet boxes are one of the handling tools that are used in the transportation of aircraft parts. The pallets are used in the transportation of Hazmat parts and can also be used in transporting high-value and fragile parts.
Depending on the description of the part being shipped, the pallet can be filled with custom foam, equipped with a lid, and closed off with a security seal for added control and security during transit. The pallets have a hardy shell that protects the cargo inside and also keeps dirt and dust outside.
You can find a wide variety of pallet boxes at LKE, which come in different sizes and designs, including those with feet. Most of the available designs also come with forklift pockets, making them ideal for use with other handling machinery, such as forklifts, to facilitate loading and unloading parts more easily, quickly, and safely.
Euro stacking trays
When shipping multiple small, lightweight parts that also require protection during transit, Euro stacking trays can be used. These function like the pallet boxes but have a lower weight limit and don’t have the same robust set of features. Their main advantage is that they can be stacked, making more efficient use of space, which can also help to minimise the cost of shipping.
The Euro stacking trays also come in various sizes, allowing you to select options based on the size of the parts being shipped.
Metal dollies
Metal dollies provide smooth transportation of aircraft parts from assembly lines to packaging and to their final destination, where the part will be installed. Metal dollies can help to reduce the risk associated with transporting the parts by hand. The dollies can be used in conjunction with other handling equipment, such as Euro stacking crates, enabling more efficient movement of the parts.
Scissor lift trolleys
Scissor lift trolleys are helpful when retrieving aircraft parts from warehouses or other storage areas. The trolleys have a high weight limit, making them ideal for lifting and transporting heavy parts safely, and then moving them to the loading area or where the part will be installed.
Using a scissor lift minimises the risk of dropping the high-value aircraft part when retrieving it or putting it in storage within the logistics process. The scissor lifts can also be used in other applications, such as holding the part in place during installation. Because the trolley is movable, it allows you to position the part perfectly for installation with minimal effort.
Heavy-duty trolleys
If you need to move aircraft parts over a significant distance within the facility, a heavy-duty trolley may be a suitable choice. The trolleys can also help move heavy and sizable parts. They are made from durable materials and wheels that can handle different floor finishes.
They also come with various features, such as brake wheels, to ensure safe operation when loading or unloading aircraft parts from the trolley.
Conclusion
When it comes to moving aircraft parts, the greatest concern is the transfer of parts from storage to the shipping dock or loading them into the aeroplane, as well as unloading and transporting them to their final destination. Using reliable and quality equipment can help keep the logistics process smooth and enhance the safety of the delicate parts being transported.
