Case Study – 3 challenges in transporting aerospace parts for world-class companies
It is a great pride and at the same time an enormous responsibility to provide logistics and cargo transport services to high-tech international companies in the space and defense industries. Through a case study, we present the main challenges involved in providing an impeccable service.
“One of the biggest challenges when moving aerospace cargo is the irregular shape of the pieces, their size, as well as how delicate they can be. It is a puzzle that we have managed to solve by using ratchet bands and specialized tarps.” Says Aldo Medina, Director of Operations at Mexicom Logistics.
Here are the challenges of transporting sections of an aircraft landing gear for the aerospace industry.
1. Selection of cargo transportation equipment
The first step in determining the right equipment is the analysis of the shape, weight and size of the load. In case of irregular, heavy and oversized parts, there is no question about the type of equipment that should be used: the best option is an open deck truck or flatbed since they can be adapted according to the needs of weight, size, and shape of the aerospace parts. In addition, these open deck trucks have the advantage of being able to be loaded by one side of the truck, which is not possible in a closed truck.
In this case, parts of the landing gear of an airplane were transported in a 53-foot flatbed.
Transportation of aerospace parts in a 53′ Flatbed
2. Open deck equipment availability
A world-class company is highly demanding in delivery times; a delay implies the affectation of its operations and, with it, the loss of millions. On the other hand, logistics and supply chain management professionals know that open deck trucks or flatbeds, are not always available, waiting times for collection can take weeks, especially those that belong to the category of Specialized Equipment. Therefore, it is always important to be prepared and have a reliable network of transportation providers to offer the service in an expeditious manner.
Our alliances and our consolidated network of suppliers have been a key factor to be abloe to collect a day after receiving notification from our customers.
3. Cargo safety
The use of flatbeds or open cargo transport implies a great responsibility in two senses: the complexity of the loading and unloading maneuvers and the risk of falls if the goods are not properly secured.
In the case of the aerospace parts trasnportation, the load was held by the force blocking method, in which the load is tied with ratchet strips to the floor, multiplying the weight forces. At the same time that the stability of the pieces was ensured, the team made sure that the pieces were not in direct contact with the floor of the truck to prevent damage.
Regarding the loading and unloading, it must be ensured at all times that the piece is not damaged, in the case of the aerospace parts, a lateral discharge was made.
These are the most common challenges involved in the successful transportation of aerospace parts in open deck trucks or flatbeds. If you need to know the most common dimensions of open deck trucks, please consult our Open deck dimensions and weights guide. The open deck equipment is the most suitable to transport aerospace parts and other types of goods that meet specific characteristics, to know the type of loads that are most commonly transported on flatbeds, take a look at our article on this topic.
