Airworthiness

There are two key issues when it comes to airworthiness of ULD:

1. ensuring proper serviceability checks to avoid that non airworthy ULD are being loaded onto an aircraft
2. stopping damages from occurring in the first place (specially structural damages due to mishandling of units)

In both cases we work closely with our airline customers to create awareness with the ground handlers about the importance of ULD airworthiness.

Serviceability

What is Unitpool doing to ensure that only airworthy ULD are being loaded on board our customers' aircrafts?

Screening and Inspection

Unitpool is putting processes in place to systematically screen and inspect potentially non-airworthy ULDs.
This front-line approach is effective.  We are building pro-active sweep arrangements into our repair and supervisory contracts.  So far arrangements are set up in AMS, AUH, CDG, LGW, LUX, MAD, MAN, YUL and YYZ.  Further locations will be added in the weeks and months to come.

Support Tools

A ULD manufacturer's Component Maintenance Manual (CMM), is usually very technical leaving much room for interpretation for a non-engineer.  The size and complexity of these CMM documents, and the number needed to provide full coverage of all possible ULD type and manufacturer, makes sharing the CMMs on a handling agent level impractical.

In order to facilitate the ULD serviceability performed by the ground handler, we produced a 'ULD Serviceability and Limitation Chart', designed to be pocket size and easy to understand.  It is not meant to replace the CMM of course, but is meant to act as a prompt.  The card will soon be produced in various languages, including French and Spanish.

In addition, we are revising our Airport Handling Manual to include more explicit processes with regards to ULD serviceability, repairs, etc.  The manual is available in our CUSTOMER ZONE.

Stopping Damages

Unitpool will be relaunching its "Stop Damages" campaign.  There is an inherent need to create awareness among the ground handling community of the cost and consequences that damages, especially those caused by negligence or mishandling, have for their airline customers.

We are strong supporters of the ISAGO project launched by IATA (IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations).  In short, the plan is for one common standard for ground operations and ground handler's will be audited once instead of by several airlines, and if successful, the certified as being compliant to ISAGO standards. 

Many of the standards include having clear guidelines with regards to the handling and storage of ULD, inspection process, etc.

Repair Centers

Unitpool works with 40 repair centers, in 17 countries around the world.  The scope of this network helps reduce the number of units that are repatriated to home base for repairs, as is the case for many airlines handling their own ULD management and repairs today.  Reducing the movement of empties helps  reduce jet fuel cost, increase payload and allows for better turnaround times of damaged units and thus improves utilization of the ULD fleet.

All the repair contractors working with Unitpool are EASA and/or FAA certified.

Repair Center Locations

(click on image to enlarge)