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Air cargo

ULD (Unit Load Device)

Abbreviation: ULD

A ULD is an aircraft container or pallet used to consolidate many pieces so they can be loaded quickly and locked into the aircraft floor system. Each ULD carries a three-letter type code, a serial number and an owner code, for example AKE for an LD3 container and PMC for a 3,175 × 2,438 mm pallet. Many are contoured to the fuselage, so usable height and space differ from a plain box. Damaged ULDs must be rejected before loading.

Related terms

  • LD3 Container (AKE)

    The LD3, or AKE, is the most common lower-deck ULD container on wide-body aircraft.

  • PMC Pallet

    A PMC is a ULD pallet measuring 3,175 × 2,438 mm, or 125 × 96 inches, with a maximum gross weight of 6,804 kg.

  • Belly Cargo

    Belly cargo is freight carried in the lower deck of passenger aircraft, sharing space with baggage.

  • Freighter Aircraft

    A freighter is an aircraft dedicated to cargo, with no passengers, so its main deck can be filled with pallets and ULD containers.

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