THE handling of the three classes of cargo - unpackaged light pieces, unpackaged heavy units, and packaged goods in different shapes - requires, Mr. Larson says, greater simplification and standardization. Containers used for surface-shipped goods are generally too heavy for air cargo shipping, and lighter paper or fabric covers or containers are desirable. New materials for this purpose, he says, are being tested.
Mr. Larson discusses the advantages of pallet loading with a lift truck. The pallet may be bolted to the floor, thus eliminating strain of lashing.
Parking space requirements for a medium-sized cargo plane are about 150 ft square. A terminal of 10,000 sq ft to handle cargo from this size ship would require a 70-ft wide building one-story high, and 150-ft along one edge of the berth. These figures are based on 12 loadings per day. For each additional berth, the terminal must be extended accordingly. Alternate plan is the large central warehouse for receiving, storing, and transferring. Location opposite the airport is favored, with connecting underground passage. Outlining the interior arrangement, he stresses the need for machine-handling to keep down the time of loading and for the protection of goods.
Due to the variety of plane doors and angles in compartments, the power conveyor system of loading is often a practical solution, where goods are brought to the aircraft. Weather conditions may impede outside cargo handling, so that roof protection is needed. The cargo train is a good competitor of the conveyor system, for it incorporates flexibility of handling for many types of goods, Mr. Larson declares. Fork lift trucks are most adaptable, and with proper ship design, incorporating pallet loading, they offer many advantages.
