In this activity, you will find the most efficient container and package combination to load freight.

As weve seen in the Textbook and in the eLearning, we need to configure boxes so that we get as many as possible in an ULD. In the following example, we load an LD9 container for shipment on a wide body aircraft. Determine the load planning configuration to get the maximum number of boxes into the aircraft.

From page 161 of the textbook, we have the dimensions of an LD9: 125 long x 88 wide x 64 high.

Our shipment is comprised of boxes that are 11 long x 7 wide x 13 high. Also, most of the cases boxes can only be turned not flipped.

We can put the boxes so the 11 side is facing lengthwise in the container and the 8 side is facing the width of the container. This gives us:

A (length) = 125 (ULD dimension) / 11 (box dimension) = 11 boxes long

B (width) = 88 (ULD dimension) / 7 (box dimension) = 12 boxes wide

C (height) = 64 (ULD dimension) / 13 (box dimension) = 4 boxes high

Answer the following questions:

If we orient the boxes this way, how many boxes can we fit?

A long by B wide by C high =

What percentage of the ULD is used this way?

ULD/container usage = cargo volume x 100 = __________%

container volume

If we orient the boxes the other way (turning the boxes 90 degrees), how many boxes can we fit now?

B long by A wide by C high =

How much is the ULD usage this way?

ULD/container usage = cargo volume x 100 = __________%

container volume

The experienced load planner sees unused space in the ULD (potential to increase ULD usage) and turns the boxes on the very last row in both configurations. The better choice relies on the second configuration (calculated in question 3) with the very last ones turned (where there was the 7 dimension facing the 125 length there is 11 dimension now)

How many boxes can fit now? ___________

How much is the ULD usage this way?

ULD/container usage = cargo volume x 100 = __________%

container volume

Is the final ULD/container usage acceptable?

If we determine that our weight is far below the capacity of the aircraft, can you think of ways we can change our load plan that would improve our percentage fill for the container?