ULDs & Pallets is a section containing information on the variety of different unit load devices and pallets in current use. It provides a glossary of terms as they relate to ULDs and also definitions, descriptions and codes used to identify ULDs. Illustrations and specific details on the most common types of ULDs have also been included.
 
The original flat pallet with net was introduced in around October 1945 by The Flying Tiger Line with assistance from the United States Air Force.
Between 1945 and the late 1950s, when Western jets were introduced, the pallet changed little but became a vital piece of equipment for the growing air cargo industry.
Even with pallets, it was heavy manual work loading tail-wheeled aircraft like the DC-3 Dakota and C- 46 Commando. Pallets had to be pushed ‘uphill’ inside the fuselage and secured.

The nose-loading, tail-wheeled Bristol B170 freighter was introduced later. Because pallets were run ‘downhill’ inside the fuselage before being secured, great care remained vital. Later nose-wheeled, prop-driven aircraft, including the DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, Constellation, Argosy and Breguet Province were a lot easier to load. Cargo was maneuvered on a roller floor inside the fuselage.

A fast freighter market emerged when Boeing 707 and DC-8 freighters became available. At that time standard pallets were extensively modified. They became more standardized and compatible. Structural contours allowed them to fit the fuselages of modern jets.
With the arrival of the Boeing 747 in 1970, the world’s first ‘wide-body’ jet, an entirely new range of belly-holds containers were introduced. These were followed by main deck
containers of enormous size.

IATA introduced an industry standard and as different types of widebody aircraft were designed, they featured a universal system of compatible containers. FREIGHTERS list the variants of ULDs and pallets in frequent, everyday use, both on main decks and in belly-holds.
 
 
ULDs
Shape Description Height Width Length
AAF - Contoured Container on P1P base 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 406cm (13ft 4in)
AAP - Enclosed Pallet on P1P base 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 318cm (10ft 5in)
AAU - Contoured Container on P1P base 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 472cm (15ft 6in)
AGA - 20ft Box Container 244cm (8ft) 244cm (8ft) 606cm (19ft 10in)
AKC - Contoured Container 163cm (5ft 4in) 153cm (5ft) 234cm (7ft 8in)
AKE - Contoured Container 163cm (5ft 4in) 153cm (5ft) 201cm (6ft 7in)
AKH - Contoured Container 117cm (3ft 10in) 153cm (5ft) 244cm (8ft)
ALP - Rectangular Container 163cm (5ft 4in) 153cm (5ft) 318cm (10ft 5in)
AMA - Rectangular Container on P6P base 244cm (8ft) 244cm (8ft) 318cm (10ft 5in)
AMD - Contoured Container on P6P base 300cm (9ft 10in) 244cm (8ft) 318cm (10ft 5in)
AMU - Contoured Container on P6P base 163cm (5ft 4in) 244cm (8ft) 472cm (15ft 6in)
AYY - Contoured Container on half pallet base 201cm (6ft 7in) 157cm (5ft 2in) 213cm (7ft)
DPE - Contoured Container 163cm (5ft 4in) 153cm (5ft) 156cm (5ft 2in)
DQF - Contoured Container 163cm (5ft 4in) 153cm (5ft) 318cm (10ft 5in)
HMA - Horse Box on P6P pallet base 244cm (8ft) 224cm (7ft 4in) 318cm (10ft 5in)
KMA - Sheep/Goat Pens on P1P base with net 244cm (8ft) 224cm (7ft 4in) 318cm (10ft 5in)
P1P - Flat Pallet with net 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 318cm (10ft 5in)
P6P - 10ft Pallet with net 163cm (5ft 4in) 244cm (8ft) 318cm (10ft 5in)
PAD - P1P Pallet with folding wings and net 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 399cm (13ft 1in)
PGA - 20ft Flat Pallet with net 244cm (8ft) 244cm (8ft) 608cm (19ft 10in)
PNA - Half Pallet with net B767 163cm (5ft 4in) 156cm (5ft 2in) 244cm (8ft)
PRA - 16ft Flat Pallet with net 244cm (8ft) 244cm (8ft) 498cm (16ft 4in)
PRA - 16ft Flat Pallet with twin Car Racks as VRA 0cm () 244cm (8ft) 498cm (16ft 4in)
RAP - Cool Container on P1P base 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 318cm (10ft 5in)
RAU - Contoured Cool Container on P1P base 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 472cm (15ft 6in)
RKN - Contoured Cool Container 163cm (5ft 4in) 153cm (5ft) 201cm (6ft 7in)
XAW - P1P Pallet with fixed angle wings and net 163cm (5ft 4in) 224cm (7ft 4in) 399cm (13ft 1in)
 
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