Hydraulics handles the hassle of hauling helicopters: Self-propelled hydraulic platform lets single operator move awkward aircraft

摘要

Helicopters rise straight up when they take off. That's the beauty of these aircraft, they don't need a long runway to become airborne. And because of this, the majority of helicopters (except for some larger models) are manufactured without wheels. They are fitted with landing skids instead. All well and good - until you have to move a helicopter after it's on the ground. Starting up and flying a copter from one part of an airport to another is expensive (requiring a pilot) and disruptive (with noise and windblown debris). It is common at many facilities for some form of ground handling arrangement to essentially jack up a helicopter, put wheels under it, and require a gang of people to manually reposition the combination - consuming a lot of time and occasionally injuring a finger or two.