Editing Unit load device (section)

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{{short description|Pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on aircraft}}
[[Image:Unloading JAL 747.jpg|thumb|250px|Unloading LD3 containers from a [[Boeing 747]]]]
A '''unit load device''' ('''ULD''') is a [[shipping container|container]] used to load luggage, freight, and mail on [[wide-body aircraft]] and specific [[narrow-body aircraft]]. It allows preloading of [[cargo]], provided the containerised load fits in the aircraft, enabling efficient planning of aircraft weight and balance and reduced labour and time in loading aircraft holds compared with 'bulk-loading' single items of cargo or luggage by hand. Each ULD has its own packing list or [[Manifest (transportation)|manifest]] so that its contents can be tracked. A loaded aircraft [[cargo pallet]] secured with a [[cargo net]] also forms a ULD, but its load must be gauged for size in addition to being weighed to ensure aircraft door and hold clearances.

The [[IATA]] publishes ULD regulations and notes there are 900,000 in service worth more than US$1&nbsp;billion, averaging ${{#expr:1000/0.9round-2}} each.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.iata.org/publications/store/Pages/uld-regulations.aspx |title= ULD Regulations |publisher= IATA}}</ref>