If you’re the proud owner of a small plane, then you know that transporting it can be a challenge. However, challenging it is, you still need to carefully do it and avoid haphazard decisions involving its transport.
There are a few considerations you should take note of. Is your plane going to be disassembled or partially disassembled during the ground transport? Will it be fitted in a heavy-haul trailer?
Even if your plane is small, it can be extremely powerful, expensive, and sensitive too. You don’t want anything bad happening to them during ground transportation. For that, we’ve listed some of the few considerations when it comes to the ground transport of your small plane:
Check with the manufacturer
Before you even think of transporting your plane, it is always best to check with the manufacturer first. They would know better about the plane and how it should be transported without sustaining any damage.
You don’t want your plane to get damaged just because you made a mistake in how it is transported. If the manufacturer is not available, you can check the owner’s manual for ground transportation instructions.
Clean your plane
Before anything else, you should make sure that your plane is clean. This includes the engine, interior, and exterior of the plane. All these should be free from any dirt or debris that might cause damage during transport.
Check the weather forecast
The last thing you want is for your plane to get damaged because of bad weather. Always check the forecast before transport. If there is a chance of bad weather, it is best to delay the transport until the weather clears up.
This is especially true if the trailer you are going to use doesn’t cover the entire plane. Even a small-sized plane may be too big to fit inside containers so you better not forget to check the weather forecast.
Inspect the plane
You should also inspect your plane thoroughly before transport. This includes checking for any loose parts or damage that might have occurred during storage. It would be best to fix or replace anything that is not in good condition before transport.
Sometimes, you may also need to disassemble some of the parts first. They can be reassembled once again after it is transported.
Remove The Fuel
One of the most important things you need to do is to remove all the fuel from the plane. This is for safety reasons. You don’t want any leaks during transport that might cause an accident.
It is best to drain the fuel completely and then refill it once again after the transport is done. Some states may also require you to have a “purge certificate” that states that the fuel tanks are empty. Aside from the tank is empty, this certificate would also mean that the other parts of the plane are purged of fuel too.
Secure The Plane
Once you have checked everything, it is time to secure the plane for transport. This includes tying down the wings and other parts of the plane. You can use straps or ropes to do this.
Make sure that they are tight enough so that the plane will not move during transport. But not too tight that it might cause damage to the plane.
Cover The Plane
If possible, you should also cover the plane during transport. This will protect it from the elements and anything that might fall on it.
There are different types of covers that you can use. Some are made specifically for small planes while others can be used for any type of vehicle.
Hire A Professional
If you’re not confident in transporting the plane by yourself, then you can always hire a professional to do it for you. There are companies that specialize in this kind of thing.
They would know how to properly transport your plane without causing any damage. They would also have the proper equipment to do it too.
These are just some of the things you need to consider when transporting your small plane. Always remember to be safe and take all the necessary precautions to avoid any accidents.
