Use Qualified Professionals When Transporting Airplanes

Towing airplanes is a delicate, sensitive job. It might seem like an oxymoron, given the power of the engine and the size of the aircraft itself, but airplane engines require careful handling, or highly expensive repairs can result. It is not ideal to trust your private aircraft to a transport company without the necessary skills and training. Following is what you should look for in a towing company that promises to deliver your airplane safely and securely.

Proper Equipment

One of the main concerns aircraft owners have about transport is the possible damage from flying road debris. Airplanes are safest when transported in a hangar-like trailer, which offers strong protection from precipitation, wind and harmful airborne objects. A puncture in the airplane’s exterior can be extremely dangerous to the aircraft passengers and crew on the next flight. If the company does not have this equipment, they should have specially fitted tarps designed to cover the aircraft’s integral parts for protection. After the components have been covered, rubber straps with no metal attached should be used to secure the equipment to the truck or trailer.

Careful Engine Treatment

The aircraft’s engine must be handled with extreme care. The trailer should be outfitted with mounted cradle-like stands to hold the engine. As the trailer hits bumps in the road, the shock is absorbed by the stand and minimizes damage to the engine. It is of utmost importance to use properly installed cradle stands for engine transport, otherwise, the engine’s intricate parts can suffer serious damage.

Thorough Security

Transporting an airplane also necessitates a high level of security. The company should only employ licensed, contracted tow professionals with airplane towing experience to safeguard the aircraft from the pickup location to the destination. No tampering or unplanned stops should occur to ensure the airplane remains untouched by any third party.

Emergency Aircraft Recovery Service

An important aspect of towing airplanes involves the ability to locate and recover stranded aircraft after a collision, crash or engine failure. A key part of successful airplane recovery is the capability of extracting the airplane safely, without causing further damage to the body, wings and engine parts. This means the towing company must be informed about airplane design and function, and also the locations and risks of fuel spills. The professionals must be aware of how to disassemble the airplane correctly while minimizing the cost of future repairs.

Additionally, aircraft recovery requires the towing company to be able to work within a system of responders. They must interpret and follow directions from law enforcement and incident management professionals when removing, transporting and executing site cleanup after the accident.

For professional aircraft recovery and knowledgeable airplane towing, talk to the team at Stauffer’s Towing.