Unit load device
Used to load luggage, freight, mail and occasionally horses, a unit load device (ULD) is essentially a pallet or container that allows a large quantity of air cargo to be assembled in a single unit.
Many would stake claims to inventing the ULD, but the real credit belongs to Magnar Henriksen who joined Nordisk Aluminiumindustri in 1969 after a stint with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).
Armed with his aviation experience, he led a team of engineers to develop and produce the first ULDs — aluminum casings shaped to accurately fit the interior cargo space of aircraft — in Nordisk’s factory at Holmestrand, Norway.
In 1983, Nordisk further increased usable aircraft lower deck cargo volumes by working with British Airways to introduce a full-width lower deck ULD container that best utilizes the available space.
The global introduction of these standardized containers has since improved cargo handling. That, in turn, has kept freight charges low and boosted trade flows.
With fewer units to load and at greater speed, the ground crew at airports can perform their tasks efficiently and prevent unnecessary flight delays for both passenger travel and air cargo transport. While ULDs are crucial in transporting air cargo quickly and cost-effectively, it also secures the cargo and ensures the safety of the plane and its passengers.
Adapted from MyNet
English