Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
jupiter2 wrote:How many Airbus 319/20/21 operators actually use the LD3-45 ? I know they're popular on A-net, but when I was in airfreight I hated them. Next to useless for the task that we had to use them for, so we gave up and either lodged the freight loose with that particular airline, or more commonly moved to another airline and utilised bigger containers.
As for the idea of an expandable container, well I'm sure the airlines who do use the LD3-45 would just be thrilled at having to carry around the extra weight and the reduced available space for freight of an expandable container. Not going to happen. If it gets built and has a unique cross section, the MOM will have a unique container, custom designed to make the best use of all the space available, as mjoelnir has already mentioned.
jupiter2 wrote:
As for the idea of an expandable container, well I'm sure the airlines who do use the LD3-45 would just be thrilled at having to carry around the extra weight and the reduced available space for freight of an expandable container. Not going to happen. If it gets built and has a unique cross section, the MOM will have a unique container, custom designed to make the best use of all the space available, as mjoelnir has already mentioned.
keesje wrote:Not many 767's / LD2 left outside the US.
keesje wrote:LD2 is impracticle for a medium wide body.
CrimsonNL wrote:This is an interesting concept but to be honest I think you are overlooking a major problem; durability. Even the most well-maintained AKHs suffer from incredible abuse and are often found with punctures and tears all over. Though the puncturing is less of a problem with fiberglass panels you also get displaced panels, bent floor plates etc etc. I think these expandable AKHs would be grounded after just days of service after the sliding rails and sections will inevitably get warped/bend preventing the container from collapsing or expanding.
My two (euro) cents,
Martijn
keesje wrote:
jupiter2 wrote:Is anybody able to advise if all 320 series aircraft are built with the capability to take the LD3-45, or is it an only an option that customers have to specify to Airbus ? I would expect that a cargo hold floor equiped to handle the containers would have added weight compared to one without for the handling system.
B777LRF wrote:jupiter2 wrote:Is anybody able to advise if all 320 series aircraft are built with the capability to take the LD3-45, or is it an only an option that customers have to specify to Airbus ? I would expect that a cargo hold floor equiped to handle the containers would have added weight compared to one without for the handling system.
It's a customer specified option and, yes, it does add weight compared to a conventional floor. Ground handling in the US is 'cheap' compared to most of Europe, and US carriers don't have to bother themselves with transfer of bags from international to domestic flights. This all lends to the non-ULD carrying option being the preferred, whilst in Europe the opposite may well be the case for network carriers.
As an example, a well-known handling company are turning around containerised A32X using only 2 staff members. Bulk loaded, the same aircraft need 3 staff - 4 if it's 'heavy'. Both for a 'standard' 30-minute turn, employing 1 or 2 Powerstow belt-loaders on the bulk loaded aircraft, and 1 'CLC' loader on the ULD aircraft. In other words, it's a question of GSE and staff cost vs fuel and ULD management cost.
jupiter2 wrote:Thanks for that, so I would assume from that then, that not every 320 coming on/off lease would be suitable for all 320 operators. I just came back from a trip through a few Asian ports and they were a bit of a mixed bag, some with containers and some bulk loaded. Are the floors powered, or is the power derived from man ?
B777LRF wrote:The floor is powered, but I don't know if it's possible to change from a ULD carrying to a bulk loaded floor. I suppose it is, if you're willing to pay for it.
CrimsonNL wrote:The 320s transferred from LH to 4U/EW get sort of a "bulk" conversion by installing metal plates with nets and posts on top of the ULD floor. They get loaded like a PMC and then they are secured in place. The end result looks just like a regular bulk loaded 320 only the available volume is reduced because these plates and the ULD locking system.
Martijn
23. April 2018
Less Cargo Capacity for Boeing 797?
Another new aircraft type is planned to come onto the market. This time from Boeing who is busy developing their B797 model, an aircraft which is being designed to carry up to 270 passengers on short and/or medium haul sectors. The aircraft, which is planned to fly in six years from now, will surely be a hit, but is said to be facing a “cargo dilemma.”
keesje wrote:It could become a topic too big to dismiss if the Asian market is larger than the US market. In the next decade Airbus could come up with something with significant better cargo capacity.
frmrCapCadet wrote:I have asked before, if you want to go a few thousand miles with lots of passengers and lots of freight wouldn't you buy a 330 or 787?