Repairs & Maintenance

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

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

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

Serviceability

What is CHEP Aerospace Solutions doing to ensure that only airworthy ULDs are being loaded on board our customers' aircraft?

Screening and Inspection

CHEP Aerospace Solutions 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.

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 types and manufacturers, 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 for our airline partners.

Stopping Damages

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, ISAGO aims to implement a formal, systematic process to improve safety and reduce cost in the ground environment.  

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