The Logistics of Oversized Cargo: How Private Aviation Makes It Possible

Transporting heavy and outsize cargo is naturally more challenging than transporting standard-sized cargo. Given the size of the cargo, the options for transportation are often more limited and complicated. Transportation is even more complex if an essential piece of equipment is needed urgently in a remote location.

Air Charter Service (ACS) offers cargo flights for heavy and outsize cargo. Our specialist knowledge and access to a range of cargo aircraft allow us to arrange the best solutions for each request. 

Let’s delve into some of the challenges of transporting oversized cargo and how private air cargo transport makes it possible. 

What is heavy and outsize cargo?

Heavy and outsize items exceed the standard measurements of cargo carried by certain transportation. Typically, they will exceed the weight, height, width or length stipulated in the regulations for scheduled cargo charters, making transportation challenging. 

Some examples of heavy and outsize cargo we regularly transport at ACS include aircraft engines, transformers, offshore oil equipment like aftercoolers, cube containers that don’t meet size specifications, stage sets and vehicles.

The challenges of transporting heavy and outsize cargo

Companies face several challenges when it comes to transporting outsized and heavy cargo. These include:

• Transportation options : The biggest factor that causes issues is simply the size and weight of the cargo. This severely limits the transport options available. Commercial cargo aircraft are subject to strict regulations and may not be cleared to carry equipment of a certain size. That leaves shipping, which takes a long time, and private cargo charters.

• Timeliness : Many heavy and oversized cargo items are pieces of essential equipment that are needed on-site as soon as possible. This means that time is of the essence when it comes to transportation. Commercial cargo flights are bound to a specific schedule, rules and regulations, which impacts how quickly items will reach their destination.

• Remote destinations : A fair share of this kind of equipment is needed in hard-to-reach places like oil rigs or remote destinations. This adds another layer of complexity to transportation, as commercial cargo airlines can only land at specified airports, which could be thousands of miles from the destination.

• Unique specifications : Very few shipments will have similar requirements. This means that specialised technical expertise is essential for the seamless transportation of this kind of cargo. This isn’t always available with commercial cargo transportation. 

How does private cargo charter solve these challenges?

Private air cargo services offer various charter solutions for transporting items that can’t be loaded onto scheduled cargo services. These are some of the most notable ways cargo aircraft charter solutions can solve the challenges of transporting heavy and outsize items.

Transportation options: A range of cargo transport aircraft

One of the main challenges of outsize cargo is that it cannot be loaded into a scheduled cargo aircraft. The size and shape of the item mean that it doesn’t fit into the traditional loading area of the aircraft. 

A specialised cargo charter company like ACS has access to a range of cargo transport aircraft. We can source the right aircraft to ensure that the item will fit without problems. We have access to the following cargo aircraft for heavy and outsize cargo:

• Nose-loading freighters

• Rear-loading freighters

• Ramp-loading aircraft 

• Aircraft with onboard cranes.

Timeliness: Fast, effective solutions

Essential equipment for oil and gas companies, aircraft parts, and various other equipment are needed as soon as possible. Without them, companies cannot function at full capacity and stand to lose money during downtime. 

Private cargo charters are not hindered by the same strict scheduling as standard cargo transport. This means we can source the right aircraft in minutes, load the equipment and have it on-site as quickly as possible. Moreover, a private cargo charter allows our experts to deal with the red tape and regulations around a single piece of equipment, which is much quicker than getting approval for hundreds of items that fly via scheduled cargo aircraft.

Remote destinations: Improved access

Sometimes, equipment breaks down in places that are not easily accessible, whether that’s an oil rig in the ocean, desert locations or inhospitable terrain such as mountains or heavy snow. Private charter aircraft can access smaller, more remote areas than commercial airlines, which are only cleared to land at certain destinations. 

A great example is when ACS helped deliver a B777 engine in an Arctic climate. An aircraft had to make an emergency landing in the town of Iqaluit, just outside the Arctic Circle. ACS delivered a new GE90 engine, engineers, a 25-tonne forklift tractor and support equipment to offload the cargo on a snow-covered runway. We also transported a precision-fit, inflatable over-wing shelter, which allowed work to go ahead uninterrupted by the -30 degree Celsius weather.

Unique specifications: Technical expertise and specialist knowledge

Private cargo charter companies like ACS have spent decades honing their industry skills and sourcing the perfect solutions for transporting heavy and outsize cargo. We know how to achieve the best solutions using the right aircraft and operators for each individual case. 

With over 350 aviation professionals’ expertise to call upon, a global network, and access to over 50,000 aircraft worldwide, we can supply tailor-made solutions for all cargo charter requests within a very short timeframe.

ACS is a global cargo expert

At ACS, we are proud of our extensive global network that spans six continents and gives us access to an exceptionally wide range of cargo aircraft. Our air charter cargo experts have the skills, knowledge and expertise to seamlessly organise and orchestrate complicated heavy and outsize cargo charters at a moment’s notice.

Contact us to find out more about our air cargo services today.

MORE ARTICLES