LOADING EQUIPMENT


inside the cargo compartment. The ceiling is no longer a problem because there is no bend there now.


While I am typing these words I realise clearly that our task is loading cargo instead of overloading the text with technical details. That is why let us first outline the range of problems our special loading sets are designed to solve:


1. The problem of ensuring movement of heavy and oversize cargo from outside into the aircraft cargo compartment at the airport of departure, and unloading of cargo at the airport of destination.


2. The problem of ensuring weight distribution on the cargo floor of the aircraft within the limits when loading, transporting and unloading cargo.


3. The problem of ensuring protection of the aircraft ramp and cargo floor elements from damage.


Generally, that’s all, but solving these problems is not so easy. However, they are solved with our special loading equipment sets, which consist of the following main functional parts:


• Bearings for elements of the front aircraft ramp or, to put it simply, under the front ramp of the An-124. A set of such bearings ensures positioning of the front ramp at the required angle to the ground;


• Extension ramps of various types. They are used to move the cargo for loading or unloading;


• Tracking systems, which are similar to railway tracks. They are made in two versions – low-profile and standard- profile with slippers underneath. The former type is lower and lighter, but with certain restrictions compared to the latter type;


• Skate beams, roller frames or roller beams;


• Platforms of various design and load-carrying capacity;


• Protective weight-distributing plating.


Extension ramps, bearings, cargo carriers and various roller beams mostly deal with the problem of cargo movement. Platforms are necessary for weight distribution, though cargo carriers also help to cope with this task. Why should weight be distributed? It stands to reason that nothing in the world is endlessly strong. Any physical object has a strength limit, and cargo floors of our aircraft are not an exception. If we use a tracking system with slippers, the floor can withstand a load of 9.6 tons per one metre along the cargo compartment. For instance, if there is a cargo weighing 96 tons its weight has to be distributed evenly for the length of at least 10m. Also, the loading per a vehicle axle should not exceed 12.5 tons if the distance between the axles is at least 1.5m.


If these figures are exceeded, we have to use protective floor plating – sandwich panels 3m long, 1m wide and 8cm thick. The cargo compartment floor is covered


with titanium plates and we wouldn’t be happy to have them damaged by caterpillar tracks of tractors, for example. For loading such vehicles we also use protective plating.


All right, our dear reader would say, “wheeled or caterpillar-carried vehicles, high or not, can get into the aircraft on their own. What about a cargo weighing 50 or 100 tons with no wheels? Should it be dragged inside or brought there?”


That is why we use our tracking systems combined with skate beams. Skate beams are Aluminium plates 40cm wide and a little longer than 2m. To their lower surface, two rows of skates are attached. For loading heavy cargo, special extension ramps with built-in tracking segments are used. A necessary number of skate beams are installed inside the tracking segments in the extension ramp, one after the other. The tracking segments are placed onto the front loading ramp and further on along the length of the cargo compartment, one line on the left side and the other on the right side. The tracking distance is selected depending on the cargo base. So, in the end the whole structure looks like a kind of railway – but it’s made of Aluminium.


The moving skate beams are on the extension ramp outside of the aircraft. Now there’s only one thing left to do. With the help of one or two mobile cranes the cargo is placed onto the skate beams. Then the cables of the aircraft’s loading winches are connected to the cargo


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