Combi Pod
Posted on Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Unit Load Device
Types
ULDs come in two forms: pallets and containers. ULD pallets are rugged sheets of aluminum with rims designed to lock onto cargo net lugs. ULD containers, also known as cans and pods, are closed containers made of aluminum or combination of aluminum (frame) and Lexan (walls), which, depending on the nature of the goods to be transported, may have built-in refrigeration units. Examples of common ULDs and their specifics are listed below.
Volume indicated is internal volume.
Container type
Volume
Linear dimensions
(base width / overall width depth height)
Remarks
LD1
4.90 m3 (173 cu ft)
156 / 234 153 163 cm
(61.5 / 92 60.4 64 in)
contoured, half width
LD2
3.40 m3 (120 cu ft)
119 / 156 153 163 cm
(47 / 61.5 60.4 64 in)
contoured, half width
LD3
4.20 m3 (148 cu ft)
156 / 201 153 163 cm
(61.5 / 79 60.4 64 in)
contoured, half width, dimension according to IATA
LD6
8.95 m3 (316 cu ft)
318 / 407 153 163 cm
(125 / 160 60.4 64 in)
contoured, full width, equivalent to 2 LD3s
LD8
6.88 m3 (243 cu ft)
244 / 318 153 163 cm
(96 / 125 60.4 64 in)
contoured, full width, equivalent to 2 LD2s; DQF-prefix
LD11
7.16 m3 (253 cu ft)
318 153 163 cm
(125 60.4 64 in)
same as LD-6 but without contours; rectangular
Pallet type
Volume
Linear dimensions
Remarks
LD8
6.88 m3 (243 cu ft)
153 244 cm
(60 96 in)
same floor dimensions as container variant; FQA-prefix
LD11
7.16 m3 (253 cu ft)
153 318 cm
(60.4 125 in)
same floor dimensions as container variant; FLA- and PLA-prefixes
LD7
(2 pallet variants)
10.8 m3 (381 cu ft)
11.8 m3 (417 cu ft)
224 318 cm
(88 125 in)
244 318 cm
(96 125 in)
PAG- and P1P-prefixes
PMC- and P6P-prefixes
Pallet volumes shown are built 64 in tall for lower deck loading. Height limit for main deck depends on aircraft type.
Aircraft compatibility
Cross-section of an Airbus 300 showing LD3 containers
LD3s, LD6s, and LD11s will fit 787s, 777s, 747s, MD-11s, Il-86s, Il-96s, L-1011s and all Airbus wide-bodies. The 767 uses the smaller LD2s and LD8s because of its narrower fuselage. The less common LD1 is designed specifically for the 747, but LD3s are more commonly used in its place because of ubiquity (they have the same floor dimensions such that one LD3 takes the place of one LD1). LD7 pallets will fit 787s, 777s, 747s, late model 767s (with the big door), and Airbus wide-bodies.
Interchangeability of certain ULDs between LD3/6/11 aircraft and LD2/8 aircraft is possible when cargo needs to be quickly transferred to a connecting flight. Both LD2s and LD8s can be loaded in LD3/6/11 aircraft, but at the cost of using internal volume inefficiently (33 ft wasted per LD2). Only the LD3 of the LD3/6/11 family of ULDs can be loaded in a 767; it will occupy an entire row where two LD2s or one LD8 would otherwise have fit (90 ft wasted per LD3). Policies vary from airline to airline as to whether such transfers are allowed.
One of the design requirements of the 767′s replacement, the 787, was for it to use the LD3/6/11 family of ULDs to solve the wasted volume issue.
ULD capacity
Aircraft loads can consist of containers, pallets, or a mix of ULD types, depending on requirements. The table below indicates the maximum capacity of an aircraft for all-container and all-pallet configurations. In some aircraft the two types must be mixed as some compartments take only specific ULDs.
Container capacity of an aircraft is measured in positions. Each half-width container (LD1/LD2/LD3) in the aircraft it was designed for occupies one position. Typically, each row in a cargo compartment consists of two positions. Therefore, a full-width container (LD6/LD8/LD11) will take two positions. An LD6 or an LD11 can occupy the space of two LD3s. An LD8 takes the space of two LD2s.
Aircraft pallet capacity is measured by how many PMC-type LD7s (96″ 125″) can be stored. These pallets occupy approximately three LD3 positions (it occupies two positions of one row and half of the two positions of the following row) or four LD2 positions. PMCs can only be loaded in cargo compartments with large doors designed to accept them (small door compartments are container only).
A = Airbus; B = Boeing; L = Lockheed; MD = McDonnell-Douglas; F = freighter; ER = extended range; LR = long range
Aircraft
Max Container Cap.
Max Pallet Cap.
Remarks
B727-100F
none
8 pallets*
*88″ 125″ pallets only; the 727 is a narrow-body
B727-200F
none
12 pallets*
*88″ 125″ pallets only; the 727 is a narrow-body
B727-200C (combi)
none
11 pallets*
*88″ 125″ pallets only; the 727 is a narrow-body
B747-100/200/300
30 LD1s
5 pallets + 14 LD1s
B747-400
32 LD1s
5 pallets + 14 LD1s
B747-400ER
26 LD1s
4 pallets + 14 LD1s
B747-400F/ERF
32 LD1s (lower deck) + 30 pallets (main deck)
freighter aircraft, capacity includes all decks
B767-200
22 LD2s
3 pallets + 10 LD2s
B767-300
30 LD2s
4 pallets + 14 LD2s
B767-300ER
30 LD2s
4 pallets + 14 LD2s
B767-300F
24 pallets* (main deck) + 30 LD2s (lower deck)
*accepts 88″ 125″ pallets only; freighter aircraft
B767-400ER
38 LD2s
5 pallets + 18 LD2s
B777-200/200ER/200LR
32 LD3s
10 pallets
B777F
30 LD3s + 27 pallets
37 pallets
freighter aircraft, capacity includes all decks
B777-300/300ER
44 LD3s
14 pallets
B787-8/-3
28 LD3s
9 pallets
B787-9
36 LD3s
11 pallets
A300B2/B4
20 LD3s
?
A300-600
22 LD3s
4 pallets + 10 LD3s
A300-600F
41 LD3s
25 pallets
freighter aircraft, capacity includes all decks A300-600F deck layout
A310
14 LD3s
3 pallets
A320PF
10 pallets* (main deck) + 7 LD3-45W (lower deck)
10 AAZ (main deck) + 7 LD3-45W (lower deck)
*accepts 88″ 125″ pallets only; freighter aircraft equipped with fwd cargo 86121″ door
A321PF
13 pallets* (main deck) + 10 LD3-45W (lower deck)
13 AAZ (main deck) + 10 LD3-45W (lower deck)
*accepts 88″ 125″ pallets only; freighter aircraft equipped with fwd cargo 86121″ door
A330-200
23 pallets or 26 LD3s
8 pallets + 2 LD3s
A330-200F
9 AMA containers + 4 pallets (main deck) + 26 LD3 (lower deck)
22 pallets (main deck) + 8 pallets + 2 LD3 (lower deck)
freighter aircraft, capacity includes all decks A330-200F deck layout
A330-300
32 LD3s
11 pallets
A340-200
26 LD3s
9 pallets
A340-300
32 LD3s
11 pallets
A340-500
30 LD3s
10 pallets
A340-600
42 LD3s
14 pallets
A380-800
38 LD3s
13 pallets
A380-800F
5971 LD3s
66 pallets
freighter aircraft, capacity includes all decks A380-800F deck layout
MD-11F
32 LD3s
26 pallets
L-1011
16 LD3s
none
all series except 500 (250/200/150/100/50/1 series)
L-1011-500
19 LD3s
4 pallets*
*if equipped with fwd cargo 104″ door
Il-86
16 LD3s
?
Il-96
18 LD3s
?
Maximum capacity shown does not reflect weight restrictions.
Actual number of ULDs loaded may be lower if aircraft is at its weight limit.
Identification
All ULDs are identified by their ULD number. A three-letter prefix identifies its type, followed by a 4 or 5 digit serial number (4 if prior to October 1, 1993; either 4 or 5 if post October 1, 1993) to uniquely identify it from others of the same type, and ending with a two character (alpha-numerical) suffix identifying the ULD’s owner (if an airline, often the same as IATA designator codes). For example, AKN 12345 DL means that the ULD is a forkliftable LD3 with the unique number 12345 and its owner is Delta Air Lines.
Common prefixes
A string of LD3 containers with AKE prefix
An LD3-45 container with AKH prefix
AAA: LD7 container (88″ x 125″), 81″ tall, contoured for maindeck narrow-body
AAD: LD7 container (88″ x 125″), 96″ tall, contoured for maindeck wide-body (aka A1)
AAF: LD26 container
AAP: LD9
AAU: LD29 container
AAY: LD7 container (88″ x 125″), 81″ tall, contoured for maindeck wide-body and narrow-body (aka A2)
AAZ: LD7 container (88″ x 125″), 64″ tall, contoured for maindeck wide-body and narrow-body and any belly (aka L9)
AGA: M2 container
AKC: LD1 without forklift holes
AKE: LD3 without forklift holes
AKH, AKW: LD3-45 mainly for A320/321, same base as AKE, extensions on both sides, 45 inches high
AKN: LD3 with forklift holes
ALB: LD4 with forklift holes
ALD: LD11 container (aka L11)
ALF: LD6 without forklift holes
ALP: LD11 without forklift holes
ALP: LD4 without forklift holes
AMA: M1 container
AMD: M1H container
AMJ: LD7 container (96″ x 125″), 96″ tall, contoured for maindeck wide-body (aka M1)
AMU: LD39 container contour similar to ALF, but deeper and bigger extensions. biggest lower-deck container
AVY: LD1 with forklift holes
AWC: LD6 with forklift holes
DPE: LD2 without forklift holes
DPN: LD2 with forklift holes
DQF: LD8 with forklift holes
FLA: LD11 pallet
FQA: LD8 pallet (same floor dimensions as DQF)
HMA: Horse stall
KMA: Sheep and goat pen
P1P: LD7, large pallet (88″ x 125″), folding wings for overhang
PAD: LD7, large pallet (88″ x 125″), flat
PGA: M6, large pallet, 96 by 238.5 inches. freighter main deck only
PLA: LD11 pallet
PMC: LD7, large pallet (96″ x 125″)
QKE: LD3 same as AKE but made of KEVLAR and designed to be bombproof. Has no forklift holes
RAP: LD9 with refrigeration unit
RAU: LD29 container with refrigeration unit
RKN: LD3 with refrigeration unit
RWB: LD11 with refrigeration unit
VRA: M6, large pallet, 96 by 196 inches. Twin car rack
XAW: LD7, large pallet (88″ x 125″), fixed wings for overhang
Position 1 letter identifies ULD category (certification, ULD type, thermal units);
Position 2 letter identifies standard base dimensions:;
Position 3 letter identifies contour, forklift holes, and other miscellaneous information.
Miscellaneous information
LD7 pallet 244 318 cm
LD3s and LD2s occupy half the width of the cargo bin of the aircraft they are designed for, therefore are loaded two at a time, side-by-side. LD6s and LD8s are, respectively, their full width counterparts and can only be loaded one at a time.
LD2s and LD8s are ULDs designed specifically for one type of aircraft, the 767. This is because the 767 has a narrower fuselage than other wide-body aircraft.
LD1s are ULDs designed specifically for the 747. But LD3s are more commonly used in its place because of ubiquity.
LD7s inexplicably come in two different floor dimensions.
Maximum height for all ULDs is 64″ for lower deck of aircraft.
The most common form of ULD damage are holes in container walls from improper forklifting.
Main Deck ULDs
On the main deck of cargo planes are 79 to 96 inches (2,007 to 2,438 mm) tall ULDs with footprints similar to those of 88 inches (2,235 mm) or 96 inches (2,438 mm) wide pallets and 62 inches (1,575 mm) or 125 inches (3,175 mm) long. A 62-inch (1,575 mm) wide x 88-inch (2,235 mm) tall ULD is half the volume of a 125-inch (3,175 mm) x 88 inch pallet. The 20 foot pallet is 238 inches (6,045 mm) long and 96 inches (2,438 mm) wide.
There several common types of contoured main deck ULDs, that are contoured (curved to fit in the plane) to provide as much cargo volume as possible. Initially ULD contouring was simply a triangle removed from one or two corners of the profile of the ULD, such as the common LD3 and LD6. Main deck ULDs use curves for the contoured shape to truly maximize cargo volume. Upper deck ULDs are just like lower deck ULDs that are either the full width of the plane with two corners of the profile removed (lower deck LD6 lower, and upper deck AYY), or that container is cut in half, down the center line of the plane, (lower deck LD3 and upper deck AAX).
Main Deck ULDs and pallets are not only taller than lower deck ULDs, they are frequently two or four times longer. They are usually organized like an LD6, using the width of the plane and missing two profile corners, or two very long LD3s, stored in parallel to use the planes width and each missing one profile corner, but often twice or four times as long from planes nose to tail.
Many air cargo companies use main deck ULDs that have both features called dual-profile, so that on small planes such as the Boeing 727, they are stored widthwise and have two corners contoured, and on the bigger Boeing 767, they can be rotated 90 degrees and shipped in parallel like LD3s, so that only one corner is contoured when being used like an LD3. This greatly simplifies transportation of cargo containers at slight cost of cargo volume.
What the actual dimensions of contoured upper deck ULDs are is very hard to know, because most manufacturers only profile width, length and height data.
See also
463L master pallet, used for military airdrops
Containerization
Intermodal container
Norsk Hydro, parent company of Hydro Nordisk, a manufacturer of ULDs
Rio Tinto Alcan, formerly Alusuisse, a manufacturer of ULDs
Unit load
Shipping container
References
^ a b c d “747-400/-400ER, Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning”, Section 2, Boeing, December 2002.
^ a b c d e f g h i “767-200/200ER/300/300ER/300 Freighter/400ER, Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning”, Section 2, Boeing, September 2005.
^ “727, Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning”, Section 2, Boeing, April 1985.
^ “747-100/-200/-300/-SP, Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning”, Section 2, Boeing, May 1984.
^ a b “777-200LR/-300ER/Freighter, Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning”, Section 2, Boeing, December 2007.
^ “MD-11, Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning”, Section 2, Boeing, August 1998.
^ a b c d Guide to Air Freight Containers
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af “Boeing Cargo”, Boeing, August 2008.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Unit Load Devices
Air Freight Container Specifications
Categories: Aviation terminology | Freight equipment | Shipping containers
About the Author
I am an expert from China Quality Lighting, usually analyzes all kind of industries situation, such as rockwell axles , seized motorcycles.
Combi Pod Bouncer at Funbebe.com