Q Do you think standard 20ft x 8ft x 8ft containers will be carried by air? What are the problems?
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AJumbo jets will be able to carry standard containers but many experts believe that special air/road containers will be developed. Air/road containers would be designed using lightweight materials; the comparatively heavy containers designed for inter-modal use would make serious inroads into the aircraft payload.
Air/road containerization has many problems. The strength requirements of containers designed for carriage by air are exacting. A major problem concerns the safe loading of containers_ It may be necessary to provide facilities at loading points or airports to determine the centre of gravity of each container consigned by air. If this was not done the flight safety of the cargo aircraft could be prejudiced_ Transhipment of containers at airports will necessitate the re-stowing of cargo holds, possibly followed by a check of the aircraft centre of gravity.
Special equipment for the rapid handling of 150 containers at airports is being developed but it is no secret that the operational problems of large-scale air/road container movement are formidable