ULD Panel (ULDP)


The primary objectives of the ULD Panel (ULDP) work group include:

  • The development of standards, guidelines, and recommendations concerning the manufacture, certification, registration, handling, and maintenance of Unit Load Device (ULD) equipment
  • Ensuring commonality and interlineability of ULD equipment
  • The monitoring of developments in aircraft containerization requirements
  • The monitoring of technological advancements in materials and design specifications for the manufacture and certification of ULD equipment.

Panel's initiatives and plans

Initiatives underway:

  • Reformat and enhance Technical Manual
  • Type Code Recovery
  • Certification Specifications for Cargo Restraint Systems

Future plans:

  • Develop Automatic ID Standards
  • Develop Minimum Maintenance Standards
  • Review and revise Standard Contour Specifications
  • Develop use of Composites Standards

Meeting Schedule

The ULDP meets once or twice a year and the meetings are usually scheduled in conjunction with the SAE or ISO fall meetings.

Membership

The ULDP consists of upto 12 Members appointed by the Cargo Services Conference (CSC), each being an expert in the ULD Technical area. The current ULDP Chairman is Mr. Steve Collins (British Airways).

Contact

Sub groups

The Panel has 2 sub-groups that study new industry requirements such as ULD identification (Type Codes) and Automatic Identification Technologies and provide recommended standards.

  • ULD Type Code Working Group (UTCWG)
  • ULD Automatic Identification Study Group (UAISG)

Calendar

09 September2007: IULDUG Annual General Meeting 21

09 October 2007: Inter Airport Europe 16

Industry Affiliations

The following Registered Suppliers that are members of the IATA Strategic Partnerships also actively participate in the meetings and supply valuable technical input.

  • Aero Net - Manufacturer of pallet nets and tie down equipment
  • Aerobox Composite Structures – ULD Manufacturer
  • Airbase Services Inc- Aircraft container maintenance services provider
  • Airline Container Leasing Inc – ULD leasing company
  • Airplane Equipment & Services GmbH (AES) - Aircraft container maintenance services provider
  • AmSafe Bridport - Manufacturer of pallet nets and tie down equipment
  • Cargo Network - Manufacturer of pallet nets and tie down equipment
  • Driessen Air Cargo Equipment – Manufacturer of containers, pallets, and other air freight equipment
  • DSM N.V. – High strength composite material and Fibre manufacturer
  • Embraer – Empresa Brasileria de Aeronautica S.A. – Airframe manufacturer
  • Envirotainer - Manufacturer of temperature controlled ULD's
  • GPI - Manufacturer of pallet nets and tie down equipment
  • Hoffmann Air Cargo Equipment GmbH - Manufacturer of pallet nets and tie down equipment
  • Lyngsoe Systems - Manufacturer of automatic identification, tracking and tracing equipment and associated software solutions
  • Nordisk Aviation Products - Manufacturer of containers and pallets and an ULD maintenance services provider
  • PalNet Air Cargo Products - Manufacturer of containers, pallets, and other air freight equipment
  • SATCO - Manufacturer of containers, pallets and other air freight equipment
  • SCANPAK Inc. - Manufacturer of automatic identification, tracking and tracing equipment and associated software solutions
  • Taiwan Fylin Industrial Co Ltd - Manufacturer of containers, pallets, and other air freight equipment
  • TelAir International - Manufacturer of containers, pallets and other air freight equipment
  • Van Riemsdijk Rotterdam B.V. – Special purpose ULD manufacturer

The panel also closely interfaces with the Society of Automotive Engineers – Aviation Division (SAE - AGE), the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and the Interline ULD User Group (IULDUG). 

How it works

IULDP Technical Panel (Cargo) develops specifications, recommendations and guidelines on the manufacture, registration, handling, maintenance and control of ULDs. Its main functions are:

Technical Development

  • Specifications and other technical material relating to the construction and maintenance of

Unit Load Devices

  • Guidelines and Recommended Practices relating to the handling of ULDs and associated equipment
  • Specifications and other technical material relating to the fabrication, use and maintenance of cargo restraint equipment
  • Standards for the application of automatic identification

Technical Industry Interface

  • With the International Standards Organisation
  • With the Society of Automotive Engineers
  • With Federal Aviation Administration
  • With other related external organisations

Having the right equipment to do the job is a concern in any industry and is no different when it comes to Unit Load Devices in the airline industry. The ULD Technical Panel, in conjunction with industry partners, is constantly looking at ways to improve and disseminate standards to keep in step with developing technologies.