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Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/12/2008 8:08:30 PM   
Bosch232


 

Posts: 455
Joined: 1/11/2005
From: Lincoln, NE, USA
Status: offline 		I have someone interested in a Pitts of mine, but the prices for shipping and packing are just off the charts.
I know there's a good collective knowledge pool here.
What's the consensus on shipping a big plane to a potential buyer?

It's a 33% GP Pitts.


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RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/12/2008 11:29:57 PM   
Hill202



Posts: 807
Joined: 1/21/2004
From: Peachtree City, GA, USA
Status: offline 		I can't help you with packing, however as far as shipping, I've received planes via Greyhound bus lines and they arrived in good condition. I'm not sure about thier pricing. I'm sure it has increased with the cost of fuel skyrocketing

< Message edited by Hill202 -- 6/12/2008 11:47:02 PM >

(in reply to Bosch232)
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RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/13/2008 12:57:36 AM   
Bosch232


 

Posts: 455
Joined: 1/11/2005
From: Lincoln, NE, USA
Status: offline 		The packing company also suggested greyhound.
But I was quoted a price of $130.00 just to build a box for this thing..

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RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/13/2008 4:51:15 AM   
Chad Veich



Posts: 2746
Joined: 12/13/2001
From: Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		If you try and build a box yourself I think you will find that $130 is not a bad price at all once you factor in your time and materials.

(in reply to Bosch232)
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RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/13/2008 7:26:09 AM   
dbarrym



Posts: 1186
Joined: 10/21/2003
From: Carlsbad, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I've shipped many big planes, from a GP 33% Pitts to a 10' long F-18 and 40% Extra 330. Just did a couple a few weeks ago and will post some pics.

This method works well for Greyhound - keep in mind the max allowable length is 80". If stabs, rudder, etc are removable you can sometimes use a couple of wardrobe boxes nested and taped together securely. They are available in up to 25" widths and 32" lengths from moving supply and box stores at reasonable cost. I put the fuse in large Hefty bags or bubble wrap (to keep the peanuts out), taped tightly around the fuse contours. Add a 3-4" layer of foam sheeting or packing peanuts in the bottom of the box, place fuse, wings, stabs, etc. in the box, and fill the gaps with more packing peanuts...any large open areas can be filled with empty boxes. I usually remove the engine and cowl, pack it in a separate box, and glue it to two or three corners of the box - it keeps the fuse from moving around due to the large concentration of weight up front.

Larger, heavier, or planes with fixed tails will need a crate, and shipment by a ground freight carrier (I always use Forward Air, have had bad luck w/ yellow and others). Remove fixed landing gear, and possibly the engine if the mount is weak or the engine very heavy. I build my crates from 1x2's and either 1/8" Luan or 1/4" general construction ply, depending on the size/weight. $130 for a wood crate is a GREAT deal!

I usually make foam cradles in the bottom of the crate and strap the fuselage to these with bungee cords, wrapping the fuse with foam strips to prevent scratching. The wings get bagged with more foam and strapped or stapled to the sides. bottom, etc.. Use deck screws to put the crates's sides and top on, and clearly identify where the screws to open the crate up are (I circle them with a Sharpie). If possible, it really helps if you can install several upright "columns" made from 2x2's or the like to keep the box from crushing in the center if it gets stacked.

Last, make sure you mark it clearly with "Fragile" and "Top Load Only", and add some 2x4 skids so that a forklift can get under the crate to lift it.

Good luck -

Barry

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< Message edited by dbarrym -- 6/13/2008 7:28:01 AM >

(in reply to Chad Veich)
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RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/14/2008 2:41:51 AM   
Hill202



Posts: 807
Joined: 1/21/2004
From: Peachtree City, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Wow! Great job of packing. After seeing that I agree $130.00 does not sound that bad for a box.

(in reply to dbarrym)
       Post #: 6

RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/14/2008 3:51:01 AM   
Jake Ruddy



Posts: 3012
Joined: 5/22/2005
From: Newark, DE, USA
Status: offline 		The nice thing about Greyhound is that nothing will be able to sit on top of it

I have used them twice and had not bad luck. Just make sure there is packing around all 4 sides just incase!

(in reply to Hill202)
       Post #: 7

RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/15/2008 8:09:16 AM   
dbarrym



Posts: 1186
Joined: 10/21/2003
From: Carlsbad, CA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Hill202

I can't help you with packing, however as far as shipping, I've received planes via Greyhound bus lines and they arrived in good condition. I'm not sure about thier pricing. I'm sure it has increased with the cost of fuel skyrocketing


Just checked my invoices for shipping...the large (78"x26"x26" box went Greyhound from San Diego to Flower Mound, TX for $65, the large wooden crate from SD to Addison, TX for $135. This was within the last two months so cost would not go up that much.

Only risk with Greyhound is that it MIGHT sit at a transfer terminal for a couple days, as GPX freight goes "space available".... with Forward the disadvanatge is that is is not door to door, you need to drop off and pick up at the nearest Forward Air depot. You can get delivery to your door for ~$250 more, depending on how far you are from the depot (usually cheaper to just rent a pickup truck).

Again, I've shipped probably 20-25 planes this way, no worries, just takes a bit more effort (but worth it if you don't have local buyers). Buy the insurance if available....only had 1 damage claim in 15 years or so (with Yellow "Gorilla Handlers" Freight).

Barry

< Message edited by dbarrym -- 6/15/2008 8:10:22 AM >

(in reply to Hill202)
       Post #: 8

RE: Best Way to Ship a Big Airplane...? - 6/16/2008 2:47:52 AM   
Bosch232


 

Posts: 455
Joined: 1/11/2005
From: Lincoln, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Well the 130.00 isn't for a wood crate. It's for a custom built cardboard box. The wardrobe box may be a good idea, I'll have to check into that. Thank you for the input.

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       Post #: 9

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