What is ULD?
A unit load device (ULD) is a pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on wide-body aircraft and specific narrow-body aircraft. It allows a large quantity of cargo to be bundled into a single unit. Since this leads to fewer units to load, it saves ground crews time and effort and helps prevent delayed flights. Each ULD has its own packing list (or manifest) so that its contents can be tracked.
ULD pallets and ULD containers are made from sheet aluminium and profiles/profile frames. Their standardised construction means that, for example, aircraft cargo nets snap straight into place and heavy pieces of cargo can be secured without any problems.
The different containers and pallets each have their own IATA code which uniquely identifies them. Air freight pallets and containers are designed to be suitable for different types of aircraft and this must be taken into consideration when choosing ULDs. For this reason, the compatible types of aircraft are also given on the list.
Specification
| LD3 container AKE/AVE | |
|---|---|
| Type | LD3 container |
| Code | AKE / AVE |
| Base dim. outside | 1,5 x 1,5 m |
| Height outside | 1,6 m |
| Useable volume | 3 m³ |
| Dimensions inside | 1,4 x 1,4 x 1,5 m |
| Acceptable for | A300, A310, A330, A340, B747-200F, B747-400, B767-400, B767(DE), MD11F |
| Standard pallet | |
|---|---|
| Type | standard pallet |
| Code | PAG, PAJ |
| Dimensions | 3,1 x 2,2 m |
| Useable loading area | 3 x 2,1 m |
| Acceptable for | A300, A310, A330, A340, B747-200F, B747-400, MD11F |
| 10ft pallet | |
|---|---|
| Type | 10ft pallet |
| Code | PQP, PMC |
| Dimensions | 3,1 x 2,4 m |
| Useable loading area | 3 x 2,3 m |
| Acceptable for | A300, A310, A330, A340, B747-200F, B747-400, MD11F |
| 20ft pallet | |
|---|---|
| Type | 20ft pallet |
| Code | PGE |
| Dimensions | 6 x 2,4 m |
| Useable loading area | 5,9 x 2,3 m |
| Acceptable for | B747-200F, MD11F |