Air cargo companies and passenger airlines throughout the world use Unit Load Devices (ULDs) to efficiently transport cargo on aircraft. These containers are preloaded with packages, baggage, mail, etc. to significantly reduce the amount of time required to load an airplane and to insure that all available space is fully utilized. ULDs also protect the cargo from rain and snow during the aircraft loading process. A typical air cargo ULD is 88" wide x 125" long x 82" high. They are usually constructed with fiberglass reinforced plastic, aluminum, or aluminum with polycarbonate panels. In order to solve many of the problems experienced by the air cargo industry with traditional ULDs, AIRGO developed a lightweight collapsible container. Industry Problems Imbalances Maintenance Weight Peak Season AIRGO Product Information Structure Material Composition Durability Collapsibility Weight Pricing Summary The collapsibility of AIRGO’s ULD with a 14:1 to 20:1 return ratio helps solve the air cargo industry’s imbalance problem. The durability of the extruded polypropylene used to manufacture AIRGO’s ULDs, coupled with the use of the pallet and net system, results in a virtually maintenance free system. The light weight feature of extruded polypropylene compared to fiberglass, aluminum, or polycarbonate, allows air cargo companies to generate fuel cost savings and/or increase revenue by taking on additional cargo. The low cost of AIRGO’s ULDs and their collapsibility feature affords air cargo companies the ability to buy and store additional ULDs dedicated for the peak season.
Background
ULD imbalances are a problem throughout the industry. Imbalances occur when there are too many ULDs in one airport and not enough in another. In order to correct these imbalances, ULDs have to be shipped empty to their desired location. This solution can be very costly especially when an entire aircraft filled with empty containers needs to move from one continent to another.
ULD maintenance is another major problem in the air cargo industry. ULDs are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Therefore, when they are damaged, which is quite often, they must be taken out of service and repaired. The major air cargo companies spend millions of dollars each year in transporting and repairing damaged ULDs.
Equipment weight is a major concern for all airlines. Any weight savings on commercial aircraft can be directly translated into fuel cost savings and/or increased revenue by taking on additional cargo.
Another problem frequently sighted by air cargo ULD Control Managers is the increased demand for ULDs during their peak season: October through December. There is a significant cost associated with purchasing and storing containers for use during the peak season.
AIRGO’s ULDs are designed to be used with an FAA approved aluminum pallet and net. A collapsed ULD is erected and placed on top of an aluminum pallet, loaded with cargo, and then secured to the pallet with a net. The pallet and net system provides the structural support required by the FAA to protect the aircraft during rough flight conditions. The pallet and net system is widely used throughout the world to ship freight when ULDs are unavailable.
AIRGO’s ULDs are constructed with water repellent extruded polypropylene and nylon straps with double D-ring enclosures. Extruded polypropylene is lightweight, specifically designed for repeated bending and will not easily tear. The polypropylene used by AIRGO complies with the material flammability requirements specified in Federal Aviation Regulation 25.853(a), Appendix F, Part I, paragraphs (a)(1)(v) and (a)(2)(iv). It also contains UV inhibitors to reduce degradation from ultraviolet rays.
Since AIRGO’s ULD uses a pallet and net for it’s primary structural integrity, if the plastic is punctured or damaged in any way, it does not have to be taken out of the system for repair. AIRGO’s ULDs are virtually maintenance free and provide years of service prior to disposal.
When collapsed, AIRGO’s ULDs have a return ratio that ranges from 14:1 to 20:1. In other words, as few as 14 and as many as 20 collapsed ULDs can be stacked in the space occupied by one fully erect ULD. This feature not only helps to solve the imbalance problem, it also helps with storage of additional ULDs for use during peak season.
Extruded polypropylene is very lightweight compared to fiberglass reinforced plastic, aluminum, or polycarbonate. As a result AIRGO’s ULD, with the aluminum pallet and net, weighs approximately forty percent less than the traditional non-collapsible ULD on the market today. For example, a traditional non-collapsible A2 weighs about 650 pounds while an AIRGO A2 with the pallet and net weighs approximately 400 pounds. A Boeing 757 loaded with 15 AIRGO A2’s will save 3750 pounds. This weight savings can mean fuel savings to the airline or increased revenue for additional cargo.
AIRGO collapsible ULDs compete very favorably with non-collapsible ULDs. The unit itself sells for approximately one third the cost of a non-collapsible ULD. Including the cost of the pallet and net, an AIRGO ULD sells for approximately 60 percent of the cost of a non-collapsible ULD. For example, AIRGO’s A2 sells for approximately $900, the pallet for $850 and the net for $100, for a total system cost of $1850. A standard non-collapsible A2 sells for approximately $3000.