Unit Load Device

   

Unit Load Devices, or ULDs, are pallets and containers used to load luggage, freight, and mail on wide-body aircraft. They allow large quantities of cargo to be bundled into large units. Since this leads to fewer units to load, it saves ground crews time and effort, and helps prevent delayed flights. Each ULD is manifested separately so that its contents can be tracked.

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 fully enclosed containers made of aluminum or combination of aluminum (frame) and plastic (walls) and, depending on the nature of the goods inside, may or may not have refrigeration units built-in.

Common Containers

  • LD2 - 120CF, 47"BW, 62"W x 60.4"D x 64"H
  • LD3 - 153CF, 64.5"BW, 79"W x 60"D x 64"H
  • LD6 - 316CF, 125"BW, 160"W x 60.4"D x 64"H
  • LD8 (DQF) - 253CF, 96"BW, 125"W x 60.4"D x 64"H
  • LD11 (ALP/AWB) - 253CF, 125"W x 60"D x 64"H (same as LD6 but without contours, rectangular)

CF - cubic feet; BW - base width; W - overall width

Common Pallets

  • LD8 (FQA) - 253CF, 60" x 96"
  • LD11 (FLA/PLA) - 253CF, 60" x 125"
  • LD7 (PAG/P1P) - 380CF, 88" x 125"
  • LD7 (PMC) - 415CF, 96" x 125"

CF - cubic feet

Identification

All ULDs are identified by their ULD number. A three-letter prefix identifies its type, followed by numbers (4 or 5 digits) to uniquely identify it from others of the same type, and ending with a two-letter suffix identifying the ULD's owner (if an airline, same as IATA designator codes). For example, AKN 12345 DL means the ULD is a forkliftable LD3 with unique numbers 12345 and its owner is Delta Airlines.

Common Prefixes

  • AKN - LD3 container with forklift holes
  • AKE - LD3 container with no holes
  • RKN - LD3 container with refrigeration unit
  • DPN - LD2 container with forklift holes
  • DPE - LD2 container with no holes
  • ALF - LD6 container (forklift holes?)
  • DQF - LD8 container with forklift holes
  • FQA - LD8 pallet (same floor dimensions as DQF)
  • ALP - LD11 container (forklift holes?)
  • AWB - LD11 container (forklift holes?)
  • FLA - LD11 pallet
  • PLA - LD11 pallet
  • PAG, P1P - LD7, large pallet (88" x 125")
  • PMC - LD7, large pallet (96" x 125")

Aircraft Compatibility

LD3s, LD6s, and LD11s will fit 7E7s, 777s, 747s, MD-11s, L-1011s, and all Airbus wide-bodies.

LD2s and LD8s are specific to 767s (can be forced onto 777s and 747s but space will be inefficiently used).

LD7s will fit 7E7s, 777s, 747s, late model 767s, and Airbus wide-bodies.

Container Capacity

  • 777-300 - 44 LD3s
  • 777-200 - 32 LD3s
  • MD-11 - 32 LD3s
  • L-1011-500 - 19 LD3s
  • L-1011-1 - 16 LD3s
  • 767-400 - 38 LD2s
  • 767-300ER - 30 LD2s
  • 767-300 - 30 LD2s
  • 767-200 - 22 LD2s

LD6s and LD11s use 2 LD3 positions

LD8s use 2 LD2 positions

LD7s use 4 LD2 positions or about 1-1/2 LD6 positions

LD3s can be used in 767s but each one will take up 2 LD2 positions and space will be inefficiently used

Miscellaneous Info

  • 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 the only ULDs designed specifically for one type of aircraft, the 767. This is because the 767 has a narrower fuselage than other wide-body aircrafts.
  • 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.

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