packing rotor blades

[kheine]

I need some info please! Have to transport some rotor blades and need to know what is the best way to do this. What kind of box do I need to build? Have bought a gyro and am not sure of box dimensions to make to haul them home. Any ideas would be of a great help!

[Jon]

I don't know much about gyro rotors and hub bars but I have bought and had shipped 3 different sets of helicopter blades. I can tell you my experience.

If you are using a trucking company to transport the blades I would not use less than 2x10 or 2x12 solid pine boards for the end and sides depending on the chord width of the blades. Use no less than 3/4 plywood for the top and bottom. On two sets of my blades there were forklift holes through the 3/8 plywood. Luckily the blades were not damaged either time. You will pay a weight penalty for making the boxes like that but how much are blades worth?

If the blades are going to be in your posession at all times then you could build boxes out of 1/4 or 3/8 plywood and be fine.

Whatever method you use to transport the blades they will need to be wrapped individually using towels, bubble wrap or something similar.

I know that blades are strong and tough but I think that they should be handled like they are glass. After all your life may depend on it.

I hope this helps

[Doug Riley]

It's helpful to put cleats (short boards attached crossways) on the bottom of the box, creating spaces that the forklifters can use (if you're using a freight company). They ARE apt to spear the box itself if you don't.

Again, if shipping commercially, insure them for their full replacement value, which is typically $2000 and up for blades for homebuilt gyros.