This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) covers the requirements for lower deck containers in wide body and standard body aircraft which do not require airworthiness certification under the condition of compartment restraint and/or, where applicable according to aircraft type, NAS3610 equivalent baseplate-restraint for these containers.

NOTE: IATA 50/0, "Requirements for interlining of ULDs", should also be taken into account when designing and making equipment.

Purpose:

This document provides dimensional, structural, and environmental criteria for cargo/baggage containers tailored to meet the lower deck configuration of the wide and standard body aircraft. See AIR1869 for information relative to lower deck container configurations. The minimum essential criteria are identified by the use of the key word "shall". Recommended criteria are identified by the use of the key word "should", and while not mandatory, are considered to be of primary importance in providing serviceable, economical, and practical air transport containers. Deviation from recommended criteria should occur only after careful consideration, extensive testing, and thorough service evaluation have shown alternate methods to be satisfactory.