AIR

CARGO
HANDLING
AIR CARGO HANDLING Dr. Suthep Nimsai
ULD:
UNIT LOAD
DEVICE

AND USED TO TRANSPORT CARGO

BY AIRPLANE.
ULDs become part of the aircraft. They can convey any type of cargo,
from passenger suitcases and perishable goods to horses and Formula-1 cars.

ULDs enable individual

pieces of cargo, luggage
or mail to be assembled
into a single unit, which
can then be loaded on and
off an aircraft with speed.

They allow cargo to be

stowed efficiently and
safely while maximizing
the use of the available
space.
The benefits of ULDs
The most important purpose of a ULD is to secure
cargo during flight. The safety of the plane and its
passengers comes first every time. But ULDs also:

• eliminate the need for manual loading and

unloading

• protect cargo contents so that goods arrived

undamaged

• maximize the use of the aircraft’s cargo space

• allow the fast, easy transfer of cargo between

planes

The global introduction of standardized containers

has improved cargo handling enormously, lowering
operational costs. That, in turn, helps lower freight
charges and boosts trade flows.
ULD = Aircraft Part
ULDs are aircraft parts subject to CAA’s airworthiness requirements.

Aircraft flight safety regulations apply and are defined in:

• ICAO Annex 6, Operation of Aircraft;
• ICAO Annex 8, Airworthiness of Aircraft; and
• The derived national
 ULD CATEGORY
ULDs are divided into two main categories:


AIRCRAFT
C O N TA I N E R

Containers, also known as cans and pods, are typically

lightweight structures comprising a base, a frame with side
and roof panels, and a fabric or solid door. There are many
different types of containers. Some are collapsible, some are
insulated, others are ventilated or refrigerated and so on.
 A I R C R A F T PA L L E T
/ N E T C O M B I N AT I O N
Cargo on pallets are secured by a net,
which is attached to the pallet’s rim.
 Many ULDs are shaped to reflect the
shape of the aircraft hold and are
therefore often specific for use in
certain aircraft.

Air freighters may have a main deck

and a lower deck in the fuselage.

The main deck is often loaded with flat metal pallets

MAIN DESK: of specific dimensions that carry the cargo secured
AIRCRAFT PALLET by netting
 LOWER DESK:
AIRCRAFT CONTAINER
Lower deck ULDs may be shaped to reflect the fuselage shape and be made of
light metal with a door or netting on one side to allow for cargo stacking.
 WHY USE A WHY USE
C O N TA I N E R ? A PA L L E T ?

• Makes loading and unloading cargo easier • Cheaper to use than containers

• Makes loading onto and unloading off an aircraft easier • Accepts cargo that is difficult to fit into containers

• Gives better protection against all kinds of weather (e.g. oversized cargo)

• Gives better protection against damage to the cargo • Accepts some ‘Special Load’ cargo that can only

• Gives better protection against damage to the aircraft be loaded on open pallets

by the cargo • They are stackable and therefore efficient and easy

• Prevents unauthorized access to the cargo to store empty and return by plane
 AIRCRAFT CONTAINERS

AAF container AAX Container AKN FSK container

Lower desk Translucent sheets, drainage Aircraft wheels, related tools
floor, sliding cover and spare parts

AKN container AAX Container AKP container

Solid door, forkliftable Translucent sheets, drainage Rapid response container with
floor, cover door custom interior
 AIRCRAFT PALLETS

PBE pallet PKH pallet PMX power platform

Heavy duty, seat pallet Rapid deployment pallet Heavy duty pallet, forkliftable,
ISO corners

PEE pallet PLH pallet PLA pallet

Heavy duty, seat pallet Pallet frame for special Medium duty pallet
containers
 CAR TRANSPORTERS

AMF container VRA car transporter Autobok

Formule 1, front loading, A-frames, car platform Forkliftable
removable platform

AMF container V R D C a r Tr a n s p o r t e r PGX car platform

WRC car, side loading, tools A1 Grand prix car rack, Forkliftable, large ramps
and equipment additional storage box internally stored
 COOL CONTAINERS

MGX container RKN Coolcontainer RKN Coolcontainer

Forkliftable, self-contained Insulated only Dry ice
capabilities, rapid deployment

RGX container RAP Coolcontainer RAP Coolcontainer

Forkliftable, self-contained Insulated only Dry ice / Temperature control
capabilities, high tech
 HORSE STABLES

HMC horse stable HMA horse stable H AY h o r s e s t a b l e

Collapsible, A-contour, three Three horse configuration, two ramps, Specially designed for B737/757, three
horse configuration complete interior, animal welfare horse configuration

HML / HMR horse stable HMJ horse stable HMJ horse stable
Lightweight version of the Lightweight, drop-top, three Lightweight, contour conversion, three
HML/HMR horse stable horse configuration horse configuration
An international,
standardized coding system
Many different parties handle ULDs as they pass between airlines and airports
around the world, so a system was needed to identify easily and quickly each ULD.

Therefore, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) introduced a global

standard system of identification.

Accordingly, each ULD is assigned a unique ULD code, which is clearly visible on
the relevant unit. By standardizing the system, all manufacturers, cargo handlers
and airlines can now identify the ULD’s classification and the owner at a glance.
IDENTIFYING A ULD
Each ULD is identified by its ULD code. This code is a unique combination of
letters and numbers, starting with a three-letter prefix that indentifies the type of
ULD. This prefix is followed by a unique 4 or 5-digit serial number to distinguish it
from others of the same type. The last two or three characters designate the owner
of the ULD (e.g. the airline).

Format of a ULD code: XXX 01234 XYZ

XXX: 01234: XYZ:

ULD Type Code Serial number Owner / Registrant

The three-letter prefix
The first three letters of a ULD code are perhaps the most
important. They are used to identify the type, size and shape
of the ULD. This information is vital in determining not only
the type of cargo it can contain but also the aircraft it is
compatible with.

The three-letter prefix works as follows:

• 1st letter represents the type of ULD
• 2nd letter represents the base size of the ULD
• 3rd letter represents the container’s contour or the
pallet’s restraint system
Industry standards
Types
The first letter of the code’s prefix describes the type of container:
A Certified aircraft container
B Certified winged aircraft pallet
D Non-certified aircraft container
F Non-certified aircraft pallet
G Non-certified aircraft pallet net
H Certified horse stalls
J Thermal non-structural igloo
K Certified cattle stalls
L Certified multi-contour aircraft container
M Thermal non-certified aircraft container
N Certified aircraft pallet net
P Certified aircraft pallet
Q Certified hardened aircraft container
R Thermal certified aircraft container
S Certified multi-modal air/surface container
U Non-structural container (igloo)
V Automobile transport equipment
W Certified ULD for aircraft engine transport
X Reserved for airline internal use
Y Reserved for airline internal use
Z Reserved for airline internal use
Industry standards
Base Sizes

The second letter of the code’s prefix describes the base dimensions of the unit. The following
codes are used for containers manufactured after 1 October 1990:

A 2235 x 3175 mm / 88 x 125 inch

B 2235 x 2743 mm / 88 x 108 inch
G 2438 x 6058 mm / 96 x 238.5 inch (20 ft)
K 1534 x 1562 mm / 60.4 x 61.5 inch
L 1534 x 3175 mm / 60.4 x 125 inch
M 2438 x 3175 mm / 96 x 125 inch
N 1562 x 2438 mm / 61.5 x 96 inch
P 1198 x 1534 mm / 47 x 60.4 inch
Q 1534 x 2438 mm / 60.4 x 96 inch
R 2438 x 4978 mm / 96 x 196 inch (16 ft)
S 1562 x 2235 mm / 61.5 x 88 inch
Industry standards
Contour

The third letter of the code’s prefix describes the container's contour (shaped to fit in the plane’s body) and, in
the case of pallets and nets, the restraint system in which the unit is classified. The ULD contour is designed
to maximise the cargo volume carried, and depends on its position in an aircraft (upper or lower deck).

A summary of all contours can be found below.

Contour A Contour B Contour C Contour D

Width: 2438 mm / 96 in Width: 2438 mm / 96 in Width: 2337mm / 92 in Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2438 mm / 96 in Height: 2438 mm / 96 in Height: 1626 mm / 64 in Height: 2997 mm / 118 in
Type: Main Deck Type: Main Deck Type: Lower Deck Type: Main Deck
 Contour E Contour F Contour G Contour H
Width: 2007 mm / 79 in Width: 4064 mm / 160 in Width: 2007 mm / 79 in Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in Height: 1626 mm / 64 in Height: 1143 mm / 45 in Height: 1143 mm / 45 in
Type: Lower Deck Type: Lower Deck Type: Lower Deck Type: Lower Deck

Contour J Contour K Contour L Contour M

Width: 2438 mm / 96 in Width: 3175 mm / 125 in Width: 2438 mm / 96 in Width: 2236 mm / 88 in
Height: 2438 mm / 96 in Height: 1626 mm / 64 in Height: 2946 mm / 116 in Height: 2286 mm / 90 in
Type: Main Deck Type: Main / Lower Deck Type: Main Deck Type: Main Deck
 Contour N Contour P Contour U Contour V
Width: 2007 mm / 79 in Width: 3175 mm / 125 in Width: 4724 mm / 186 in Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in Height: 1626 mm / 64 in Height: 1626 mm / 64 in Height: 2438 mm / 96 in
Type: Lower Deck Type: Lower Deck Type: Lower Deck Type: Main Deck

Contour X Contour Y Contour Z

Width: 2438 mm / 96 in Width: 3175 mm / 125 in Width: 3175 mm / 125 in
Height: 2997 mm / 118 in Height: 2083 mm / 82 in Height: 2083 mm / 82 in
Type: Main Deck Type: Main Deck Type: Main Deck
Safe ULD operations on the
ground are essential to
flight safety in the air!

ZHI YONG LIAO

 FIXED
CONVEYING
SYSTEM
ULDs are moved around using
fixed conveying systems that
consist of tracks fitted with rollers
that are often powered.

These conveying systems are also

capable of turning the pallet to
travel in a different direction.

For example when a ULD is being

rolled into a cargo hold on the
plane it may need to be turned
through 90˚ to correctly position it
for safe stowing inside the aircraft.
Aircraft holds are accessed through side, front or rear
doors which themselves have restrictions in terms
of dimensions
HI-LOADER

The ULDs are lifted by

a powered lifting device
(often referred to as a
hi-loader) that presents
the ULDs to the door of
the aircraft.
 LARGER
HEAVY-LIFT
AIRCRAFT
Larger heavy-lift aircraft may
be accessed by front or rear
doors that lower to ground
level allowing certain cargo to
be loaded by fork lift truck.

These planes also often have

overhead gantry cranes to
assist the loading process.
Antonov An 225
 Dr. Suthep Nimsai
Aviation Business Management, School of Management,
Mae Fah Luang University

Room E1 310, E1 building, Mae Fah Luang University.

333 M.1 Thasud, Muang, Chiangrai 57100.

PHONE EMAIL
0 5391 7774 suthep.nim@mfu.ac.th