Ferry of a “Green Machine”
 

QUESTION Flight in Rain ( Green Machine )

Ran into a fellow many moons ago ( early 80s ) who was telling of ferrying a brand new totally unpainted helicopter.
He said that the very long trip took a long time as he had been told to not, under pain of death. to ever, under no circumstance fly the helicopter in rain.
Supposedly this was to prevent water penetration of composite panels. He was even told to hangar the aircraft each night if possible.
Of course it was the springtime and there was rain all over the continent. He said the route looked more like evasive action and was at a leisurely pace.
Of course they wanted the aircraft delivered yesterday ( SOP for all ferry trips. ).

Talked to a friend the other day who has done a ton of ferry trips with new, unpainted aircraft since the mid 90s and he has never heard of this limitation. He also mentioned that, of course, today there are lot more composite panels.

The requirement may well have been due to an “Overabundance of Caution”.

Anyone remember this as a requirement on ferry trips to a paint shop.

Just curious.

I have ferried lots of "Green Machines"......Olive Green with US Army painted on them!:)

Usually with a very circuitous routing blamed upon weather that provided excellent RON stops like New Orleans, Las Vegas, West Palm Beach, and for some reason always via Nashville.

Let's not forget some of other best places that may or may not form a straight line...lol

Sevierville, Tennessee for the best bar-b-que place I have ever visited: Tony Gore's
Salt Lake, for the free bus to town courtesy of the Mormon's, and seeing some of the best looking women on the planet manning the temple..... Best bars in town too....
Raton, New Mexico for the green chilli burgers
Sidney, Nebraska for the free shuttle as long as you visit Cabellas headquarters and spend some of your per diem..... Cabellas Sidney