03 - Airplane and ULD-85-112

85
■7 Aircraft and Loading
In this chapter, we look at the m ost com m on a ircra ft and a ircraft unit loading
devices [A U LD s) used by airlines. New technology has led to the developm ent
o f m odern, s ta te -o f-th e -a rt a ircra ft w ith im proved aerodynam ic design, better
perform ance, advanced con trol system fu n ctio n s and increased interaction
between the aircra ft and its operating environm ent. M ost airlines are im proving
on efficiency, re lia b ility and m aintenance, allo w in g them to optim ise cargo
space. So how e xactly has advanced te ch n o lo g y im proved cargo u p lift for
airlines?
• Improved fuel efficiency with better payload
• Lower operating costs
• Improved reliability with minimum delay
• Reduced costs of spare parts
• Improved total preventive maintenance, resulting in lower maintenance costs
Airline operators have to identify the types of aircraft that improve productivity. Aircraft
designs must satisfy industrial requirements; this is critical, as cargo comes in different
sizes, shapes, and weights. The most sought-after model is the B747, which can operate
as a full freighter or passenger carrier, or combi-style. One critical determinant of the
choice of aircraft is size and range. Besides, airlines are also looking into the feasibility
of interchangeable AULDs within their own fleets.
It is difficult to see the industry's future development, because
• no one can predict cargo growth;
• shippers and consignees are constantly changing their buying behaviour;
• inflation is always a factor;

Guides to International Logistics A irfreight Forwarding
• foreign exchange rates are erratic; and
• epidem ics can strike any time, for example SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome)
Types of aircraft and unit load devices

CULDs} used today
Lower and main deck pallets, and containers, are used most often when loading cargo
onto aircraft. There are two types of ULDs, aircraft ULDs CAULDs) and non-aircraft
ULDs.
AULDs are structural and non-structural units that interface directly with the aircraft.
They include main deck units, sometimes called upper deck units, which are made
to fit into the cabin section of the cargo freighter or combi, on the same level as the
passengers.
The other types of AULDs are referred to as lower deck units; they are loaded in the
lower compartment of the aircraft, below the main deck or cabin.
Non-aircraft ULDs are mainly lATA-approved units, such as containers, that can be
lifted by forklift and are meant for bulk or loose loading. Shippers who use non-aircraft
ULDs must make sure that they adhere to lATA’s standard specifications. These units
are owned by the shipper or its appointed freight forwarder, not by the airlines.
AULDs improve airline services while maximising cargo revenue. The employees of airlines
and GHAs are trained to handle and optimise the use of the AULDs. This enhances cargo
operations, which leads to better quality service.
Some airlines set up AULD Logistics Departments to train their employees to ascertain
the need for such equipment in their respective stations. To monitor the movement of
such ULDs, airlines have to control and manage the number of pallets and stations, and
also take into account passengers’ baggage requirements, especially containers.
For effective operations, airlines’ online stations have to ensure that there is no shortage
of ULDs required for both passengers and cargo, by
• ascertaining the types of ULDs needed, such as containers Q-D1/LD3, AVE, AVJ,
etc). Some airlines have different identification for the LD1 or LD3, lower deck
pallets/containers and main deck pallets/containers - this will be explained later in
the chapter;
• maintaining an ample allocation of ULDs at the stations at all times;

PART 2 » A ircraft and Loading
controlling and managing ULDs in terms of serviceability;
reporting any unserviceable or damaged containers and pallets for aircraft safety;
managing the ULDs, like containers and pallets (lower and main decks], that are
released to freight forwarders and shippers for buildup (BUP); and
returning containers and pallets borrowed from other airlines,
how can airlines and GHAs handle ULDs properly?
Ensure that the proper equipment (dollies, trolleys, conveyors and slave pallets) is
used to support the different types of ULDs.
Make it a point to check that the ULDs are in good condition before use, to avoid
any unnecessary incidents of having to waste precious time offloading damaged
ULDs that are already full of cargo.
Damaged ULDs must be promptly reported, so that replacement units can be initiated.
SIA classifies damaged ULDs into two categories: “Severe" and "Tolerable”. “Severe"
means major damage or defects that can affect the safe operation of both the
aircraft and ULD, for instance, a damaged base or main structure that makes the
ULD impossible to load onto the aircraft. "Tolerable” means some minor damage or
defects that will not jeopardise the aircraft or ULD: small dents, scratches, missing
fasteners.
Do not use forklifts to retrieve containers or pallets from trucks or dollies.
Try not to tilt the ULDs during buildup. Heavy items must be placed at the base, and
restrained if necessary, to prevent them from shifting during takeoff and landing.
A irb u s A 3 1 0
Cargo capacity 8 tons/45 m3

Pallets and containers 60.4 x 125" pallet
88 x 125” pallet
96 x 125” pallet
LD 3 container
LD 7 container
AM F container
AM P container
Loading capacity Forward cargo compartment: 8 LD 3 containers, or 3 pallets
or LD 7 containers or AM F containers, or combinations
thereof.
A ft cargo compartment: 6 LD 3 containers.
Bulk cargo compartment for mixed general cargo.
Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Width Height
Forward cargo compartment 270 170
A ft cargo compartment 181 168
Bulk cargo compartment 95 108
PART 2 A ircraft and Loading
A irb u s A 3AO
Cargo capacity 12.1 tons/141 m3

88 x 125" pallet
96 x 125” pallet
LD 3 container
LD 7 container
AM F container
AM P container
Loading capacity Forward cargo compartment: 14 LD 3 containers, or
5 pallets or LD 7 containers or AMF containers, or
combinations thereof.
Aft cargo compartment: 12 LD 3 containers, or 4 pallets
or LD 7 containers or AM F containers, or combinations
thereof.

Width Height
90 Guides to International Logistics A irfreight Forwarding
B o e in g 7 4 7 —3 0 0 C o m b i

Pallets and containers 60.4 x 125” pallet
88 x 125” pallet
96 x 125” pallet
96 x 196" pallet
LD 1 container (AVQ
LD 3 container
10-foot container
20-foot container
AM F container
All horse containers
Loading capacity Main deck cargo compartment: 6 cargo pallets (96” x
125”), or 6 AM D containers (125” x 96” x 118") and 1 A M A
container, or 4 A M A containers and 1 20-foot container or
pallet.
Forward cargo compartment: 5 pallets (88" x 125" or 96" x
125”), or 6 LD 1 containers and 3 pallets (88" x 125” or 96” x
125”).
A ft cargo compartment: 14 LD 1 containers, or 7 full size
containers, or 2 pallets (88" x 125”), or 8 LD 1 containers or

Width Height
Main deck 304 340
Aft cargo compartment 167 263
B o e in g 7 4 7 -4 0 0

88 x 125" pallet
96 x 125” pallet
LD 3 container
LD 7 container
AM F container
A M I container
AM P container
Loading capacity Forward cargo compartment: 16 LD 3 containers, or
5 pallets or LD 7 containers and AM F containers, or
Aft cargo compartment: 14 LD 3 containers, or 4 pallets or
LD 7 containers or AM F containers and 2 LD 3 containers,
or combinations thereof.

Width Height
B o e in g 7 4 7 -4 0 0 C o m b i

88 x 125” pallet
96 x 125" pallet
96 x 196” pallet
96 x 238.5” pallet
LD 3 container
LD 7 container
10-foot container
20-foot container
AM F container
A M I container
AM P container
Loading capacity Main deck cargo compartment: 7 10-foot containers, or 5
10-foot containers and 120-foot containers and pallet.
Forward cargo compartment: 16 LD 3 containers, or 5
pallets or LD 7 containers or AMF containers.
Aft cargo compartment: 14 LD 3 containers, or 4 pallets or
LD 7 containers or AMF containers and 2 LD 3 containers,
or combinations thereof.

Width Height
Main deck 340 304
PART 2 ■ A ircraft and Loading 93
B o e in g 7 4 7 —4 0 0 F re ig h te r

Pallets and containers 88 x 125” pallet
96 x 125” pallet
96 x 238.5" pallet
LD 3 container
LD 7 container
10-foot container
20-foot container
AM F container
A M I container
AM P container
Loading capacity Main deck cargo compartment: 30 pallets (mixture of 96” x
196” pallets, 20-foot, 30-foot and 40-foot pallets/containers
can also be loaded).
Forward cargo compartment: 5 pallets or LD 7 containers or
AM F containers.
A ft cargo compartment: 4 pallets or LD 7 containers or
AM F containers and 2 LD 3 containers, or combinations
thereof.

Width Height
Main deck forward compartment 382 249
Main deck aft compartment 340 312
Lower deck forward compartment 264 168
Lower deck aft compartment 264 168
B o e in g 7 4 7 -2 0 0 F re ig h te r

60.A x 125” pallet
88 x 125” pallet
96 x 125” pallet
96 x 96” pallet
96 x 238.5” pallet
LD 3 container
LD 7 container
10-foot container
20-foot container
AM F container
AM I container
AM P container
Loading capacity Main deck cargo compartment: 29 10-foot containers and
2 55” x 96” pallets, or 12 20-foot containers and 5 10-foot
containers or pallets.
Forward cargo compartment: 5 pallets or LD 7 containers or
AMF containers.
Aft cargo compartment: 4 pallets or LD 7 containers or
AMF containers and 2 LD 3 containers, or combinations
thereof.
Width Height
Main deck forward compartment 356 249
Main deck aft compartment 340 304
Lower deck forward compartment 264 168
Lower deck aft compartment 264 168
PART 2 A ircraft and Loading 95
1886.0 2062.0
B o e in g 7 7 7 —2 0 0

96 x 125” pallet
LD 3 container
Loading capacity Forward and aft cargo compartments: 4 pallets and 16 LD 3
containers.
Bulk cargo compartment for mixed general cargo, postal
mail and baggage.

Width Height
9 6 Guides to International Logistics t A irfreight Forwarding
M D - 1 1 F re ig h te r
Cargo capacity 93.23 tons/534.4 m3

96 x 125" pallet
96 x 196" pallet
96 x 238.5” pallet
LD 3 container
LD 7 container
AM I container
AM P container
Animal pens
Loading capacity
Cargo volume Cm3)
Main deck 412
Lower deck/forward 60
Lower deck/centre 48
Lower deck/aft bulk 14.4

Width Height
Main deck 355.6 259.0
Lower deck 264.2 167.6
A V J/ L D 1 c o n ta in e r
Dimensions Base CL) : 1562 mm/61.5 in

(W) : 1534 mm/60.4 in
Top CL) : 2337 tnm/92.0 in
(W) : 1486 mm/58.5 in
Height : 1626 mm/64.0 in
Tare weight : 92 kg Cthe tare w eight is the w eight of the unit when empty)
Max gross w eight : 1587 kg
Features : Single fabric doors.
Seat tracks on base for tie-down fittings.
Available with single all-metal bifold doors.
Handling precautions : Place heaviest items away from trapezoidal end to avoid
container tilting.
Use on B747 only.
Do not use if base corner insert is missing or bent, or if
base is warped.
9 8 Guides to International Logistics A irfreight Forwarding
A V E / L D 3 c o n ta in e r
Dimensions Base (L) 1562 mm/61.5 in
m 1534 mm/60.4 in
Top CL) 2006 mm/79.0 in
m 1494 mm/58.8 in
Height 1626 mm/64.0 in
Tare w eight 82 kg
Max gross weight 1587 kg
Features Single fabric doors.
Seat tracks on base for tie-down fittings.
Available with single all-metal bifold doors.
Handling precautions Place heaviest items away from trapezoidal end to avoid
container tilting.
Do not use if base corner insert is missing or bent or if base
is warped.
15.2A
A A P / L D 9 c o n ta in e r
(W) 2235 mm/88.0 in

Tare weight 270 kg (including detachable security door)
Max gross weight Lower deck A310 - 4626 kg
Lower deck B747 - 4626 kg
Main deck - 6000 kg
Features AAP3101 to AAP3130 fitted with garm ent-on-hanger (GOH)
frames. (The 5 GOH frames can take up to 3500 kg.)
Detachable security doors.
Internal seat tracks for cargo tie-down.
Handling precautions Do not use if door net is missing, base corners are cracked
or bent, or if base is warped or bent.
A A U / L D 2 9 c o n ta in e r
Dimensions Base CL] 3175 mm/125.0 in
m 2235 mm/88.0 in
Top CL] 4724 mm/186.0 in
Tare weight 265 kg
Features Seat tracks on base for cargo tie-down.
Fabric door with net.
Can also be fitted with metal security doors.
Load on lower deck of B747 only.
PART 2 A ircraft and Loading 10 1
A M A / M l c o n ta in e r
Dimensions Base 00 3175 mm/125.0 in
m 2438 mm/96.0 in
Tare weight 270 kg
A M D / M l H c o n ta in e r

m 2438 mm/96.0 in
Height 2997 m m /118.0 in
Tare weight 370 kg
Handling precautions Should not load in position PL of B747F and B74D.
Do not use if door net is missing, base corners are cracked
Do not load also in positions A, B, CR. CL, DR, DL, ER, EL and
T of B747F.
R K N / L D 3 in s u la te d c o n ta in e r
Dimensions Base CL) 1562 mm/61.5 in
m 1534 mm/60.4 in
Top CL) 2006 mm/79.0 in
m 1494 mm/58.8 in
Tare weight 190 kg
Features Forkliftable base.
Fully insulated walls.
Airtight.
Handling precautions Before loading perishables, ensure the unit is clean, pre-
cool the unit, and stuff any empty space with crumpled
newspapers to minimise heat loss.
Stainer
R A P / L D 9 in s u la te d c o n ta in e r

m 2235 mm/88.0 in
Tare w eight 325 kg
Main deck B74D - 6000 kg
Main deck B74F - 6000 kg
Features : Insulated walls.
Airtight.
Handling precautions : Before loading perishables, ensure the unit is clean, pre
cool the unit, and stuff any empty space with crumpled
newspapers to minimise heat loss.
PART 2 ■ A ircraft and Loading 105
K M A liv e s to c k c o n ta in e r
Dimensions Base CL) 3022 m m /119.0 in
m 2286 mm/90.0 in
Height 2438 mm/96.0 in for 3-deck configuration
1626 mm/64.0 in for 2-deck configuration
Tare weight 610 kg (including pallet)
Max gross weight Main deck B747 - 6800 kg
Lower deck A310 - 5035 kg
Features Units can be collapsed for loading in lower deck.
10 6 Guides to International Logistics A irfreight Forwarding
H M A h o r s e s ta ll

(W) 2286 mm/90.0 in
Tare w eight 1310 kg Concluding pallet and net)
Features Carries up to 3 horses.
Handling precautions Do not lower the heavy ramps unassisted. Use spreaders to
minimise damage to internal flooring when loading cargo.
PART 2 S3 A ircraft and Loading 107
P I P p a lle t
Dimensions Base (L) : 3175 mm/125.0 in

(W) : 2235 mm/88.0 in
Net : 125 x 88 x 80 in
3175 x 2235 x 2032 mm
Tare w eight : 110 kg
Max gross w eight : Lower deck A310 - 4626 kg
Main deck B747 - 6000 kg
Features : 125" sides anodised blue.
88” sides anodised yellow.
The net is orange, knotless, made of 8” mesh.
Handling precautions : Do not overtighten net, as this may cause the pallet to
warp.
Do not use if corners are cracked or if the corner inserts
are missing.
Always use spreaders for heavy cargo. Spread load across
entire available area.
P 6 P pa lle t

m 2438 mm/96.0 in
Net 125 x 96 x 118 in
3175 x 2438 x 2997 mm
Tare w eight 120 kg
Main deck B747 - 6800 kg
Features 125” sides anodised blue.
96” sides anodised red.
The net is blue, knotless, made of 8-inch mesh.
Handling precautions Do not overtighten net, as this may cause the pallet to
warp.
are missing.
Always use spreaders for heavy cargo.
Restricted to position 41 or 42 of B747 lower deck. Spread
load across entire available area.
P G A p a lle t
m 2438 mm/96.0 in
Net 238.5 x 96 x 118 in
6058 x 2438 x 2997 mm
Tare weight 540 kg
Features 238" sides anodised blue.
96” sides anodised red.
The net is red, knotless, made of 8-inch mesh.
Handling precautions Always use spreaders for heavy cargo.
Restricted to position RR or SR of B74D.
For maximum space utilisation, avoid loading a single unit
in positions ER/FR, EL/FL, HR/JR, HL/JL, JR/KR, JL/KL.
P L B pa lle t

m 1534 mm/60.4 in
Net 125 x 60.4 x 64 in
3175 x 1534 x 1625 mm
Tare weight 110 kg
Features Non-anodised edges.
Net is white, made of 10-inch mesh.
Handling precautions Do not overtighten net, as this may cause the pallet to
warp.
are missing.
Always use spreaders for heavy cargo.
Use only in lower decks of B747 and A310.
PART 2 Aircraft and Loading 111
B747 300 C OM BI
REARVIEW
Cross-section of a B747-300 Combi

Palletisation and containerisation of

AULDs
Airlines encourage freight forwarders to buy AULDs from them and load them with
regular traffic. This lowers handling costs for airlines, and at the same time allows cargo
agents to optimise the use of these units, to meet the pivot weight imposed on airlines
for all ULD programmes. The onus is on the freight forwarders to maximise the loading
of all ULDs. Except for structural containers and m ain-deck pallets, freight forwarders
can best utilise the lower-deck pallets by extending them. This includes the loading of
odd-sized cargo.
747 A300 A30D 747
Out-sized cargo

03 - Airplane and ULD-85-112

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85

■7 Aircraft and Loading

• Improved fuel efficiency with better payload

• Lower operating costs

• Improved reliability with minimum delay

• Reduced costs of spare parts

• Improved total preventive maintenance, resulting in lower maintenance costs

It is difficult to see the industry's future development, because

• no one can predict cargo growth;

• shippers and consignees are constantly changing their buying behaviour;

• inflation is always a factor;

• foreign exchange rates are erratic; and

Types of aircraft and unit load devices

• maintaining an ample allocation of ULDs at the stations at all times;

controlling and managing ULDs in terms of serviceability;

returning containers and pallets borrowed from other airlines,

how can airlines and GHAs handle ULDs properly?

Do not use forklifts to retrieve containers or pallets from trucks or dollies.

Cargo capacity 8 tons/45 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Cargo capacity 12.1 tons/141 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Cargo capacity 20 tons/90 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Cargo capacity 16 tons/90 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Cargo capacity 36 tons/175 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Cargo capacity 102 tons/600 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Cargo capacity 102 tons/600 m3

Cargo capacity 20 tons/90 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Cargo capacity 93.23 tons/534.4 m3

Dimensions of cargo doors in cm

Dimensions Base CL) : 1562 mm/61.5 in

Dimensions Base (L) 1562 mm/61.5 in

Dimensions Base (L) 3175 mm/125.0 in

(W) 2235 mm/88.0 in

Dimensions Base CL] 3175 mm/125.0 in

Dimensions Base 00 3175 mm/125.0 in

Dimensions Base (L) 3175 mm/125.0 in

Dimensions Base CL) 1562 mm/61.5 in

Dimensions Base (L) 3175 mm/125.0 in

Dimensions Base CL) 3022 m m /119.0 in

Dimensions Base CL) 3150 mm/124.0 in

Dimensions Base (L) : 3175 mm/125.0 in

Dimensions Base (L) 3175 mm/125.0 in

Dimensions Base CL) 6058 mm/238.5 in

Dimensions Base (L) 3175 mm/125.0 in

Cross-section of a B747-300 Combi

Palletisation and containerisation of

747 A300 A30D 747

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