For shipping air cargo airlines use Unit Load Device (ULD) to transport passenger's baggage, cargo, and mail on aircraft [ wide-body aircraft and specific narrow-body aircraft]. Transporting baggage, cargo, and mail by air is not that easy process, it needs time, enough ground handling crew - GSE- and many parties may handle these loads.
Unit Load Device (ULD) offer airlines with
the easiest, safest, and fastest transport process to move passenger's baggage,
cargo, and mail to around the world.
Do you know why?
Because Unit Load Device (ULD) allows
airlines to bundled a large quantity of baggage, cargo, and mail to many single
units. Doing this leads to rapid loading / unloading of the aircraft, good loads
handling and installation compatible with the aircraft loading system.
In addition, each single Unit Load Device
(ULD) has its own packing list so that it is easy for airlines to track any
lost items.
What is A Unit Load Device (ULD)
You may have heard the term Unit Load
Device (ULD), this term refers to any type of aircraft cargo container or
aircraft cargo pallet [ pallet net combination] which by its nature fits
directly with the loading system in the aircraft without the need for
additional restraint tool and it became as an integral part of the aircraft.
The purpose of using the cargo ULDs is to group the cargo parts into a standard large unit to facilitate rapid
loading / unloading of the aircraft, good cargo handling and installation
compatible with the aircraft loading system.
Are you happy with this clear definition?
Nice,
Is Unit Load Device (ULD) Required Certification?
Unit Load Devices (ULDs) are removable
aircraft parts. It has to be robust enough to cope with extreme circumstances
during flight [ it must be capable of restraint the loads and providing
adequate protection to the aircraft floor load systems and aircraft structure
during flight].
In most cases, Unit Load Devices (ULDs)
required to be approved "certified" for use by the relevant Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA) for the country where the manufacturer is located. It
must meet the CAA requirements from design, testing, production, operation and
repairs.
While certification is important,
non-certified Unit Load Device (ULD) may be used by airlines if it deemed to be
capable of withstanding the forces from the contents during extreme flight
condition [ such as turbulence].
e.g. FAA use technical standards order (TSO)
for certification of Unit Load Devices (ULDs)
Is it complicated to recognizing both
certified and non-certified Unit Load Device (ULD)?
Do not worry, you can recognize both by
Unit Load Device (ULD) identification code. Of course, you can do that, the key
is with the first letter of the ULD Identification code.
Just continue reading.
How can you identify a Unit Load Device (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 identifies they type of ULD.
Also, this prefix is followed by a unique serial number to distinguish
it from others of the same type. While the three last two or three characters
are designating the owner of the ULD.
(e.g., aircraft container owned by specific Yemen Airways).
First, I will start explaining the three-letter prefix code
2- 2nd Letter: ULD Base
3- 3rd Letter: ULD Contour or Compatibility for each aircraft type.
Then , a unique serial number
The [AKE] ULD code is part of IATA ULDR identification
system [ more e.g. AAP, AMA,PMC,PAG,RKN etc. ] which is preferable.
There are many other identification codes such as [ LD2, LD3, LD9 etc. for ATA identification system ].
Note :
LD= lower deck.
Conclusion
Unit Load Devices (ULD refers to any type of aircraft container or pallet which by its nature fits directly with the loading system in the aircraft without the need for additional restraint tool.
ULDs required to be approved "certified" for use by the relevant Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the country where the manufacturer is located. It must meet the CAA requirements from design, testing, production, operation and repairs.
Each ULD is identified by its code. This code is a unique combination of letters and
numbers, starting with a three-letter prefix that identifies they type of ULD and followed by a unique serial number to distinguish it from others of the
same type. While the three last two or three characters are designating the
owner of the ULD.
It allows airlines to bundled a large quantity of baggage, cargo, and mail to many single units. Doing this leads to rapid loading / unloading of the aircraft, good loads handling and installation compatible with the aircraft loading system.
For further reading:
- IATA ULD Regulations