loadmaster training

[Magpieranger]

I am looking for some advice and information. What qualifications or training is needed to be a loadmaster, where is it available ? What exactly is the loadmasters role. Also what other roles are there on a cargo aircraft (apart from pilots) is there a junior loadmaster.
I have over 10 years experience as cargo agent DG, ULD build & break, manifesting etc.
Any help much appreciated.
:ok:

[minigundiplomat]

I'm a military (soon to be civilian) loadmaster. I believe that many (though not all) loadmasters come from the military.

Im not sure who would conduct loadmaster training in the civilian sector, if they still do at all.

As far as qualifications, physics and maths are probably the most important, and I use both on a daily basis. A good command of the English language and ability to think on your feet are probably the other requirements.

Long days and hard work if you do make it! Good luck anyway.

[Papa Sierra]

Hi M,
It sounds as if you have "experience" of much of what a LM is responsible for, very similar to a base Air Mover in the RAF. There was a move afoot, many years ago, to licence LMs and had this gone ahead I'm sure we would have seen LM schools either FAA or CAA approved a bit like Despatchers. In the RAF LMs undergo a basic course covering Wt and Bal, DAC, Route Ops, Cargo and Pax Hdlg etc, they then go on to an Operational Conversion Unit to learn the more technical aspects of a particular aircraft type. During this phase they will learn all about the emergency equipment and emergency procedures of that aircraft. After the ground school the next step is the Flying phase where the emphasis is not just putting the theory into practice but also to introduce the LM into a "crew" environment and most importantly, Airmanship. Throughout this whole procedure the trainee LM is screened by an intructor until deemed capable enough to go "solo". During his or her career in the RAF, like any other aircrew trade, the LM will be subject to ongoing "checks" both in the classroom and in the air. I don't know of any company which actually trains LMs possibly why so many are ex military, however with your background and with the right "instructor" you could certainly become a LM, but do civilian companies have the infra structure to provide that "instructor"? Perhaps I should start a school!!!

[dionysius]

Unfortunately, Loadmasters are a dying breed as most large cargo airlines utilise station managers or handling agents, and have the odd loadmaster that travels with large or unusual loads.

Smaller adhoc cargo airlines such as Avient still use loadmasters, most are as previously mentioned ex RAF "movers" as they have all the necessary ground experience with building pallets and loading aircraft unlike most RAF loadmasters (with the odd exception such as Papa Seirra :ok:).
all the "civvy" trained loadmasters from companies such as Channex and Heavylift are now in other jobs although some may be with GSS ?

You can google "loadmaster training" however, I think the only company in UK that used to do any courses has gone out of business.

Sorry to be negative, but you can always send your CV to all the cargo airlines.:ok:

Good luck.

[Magpieranger]

Thanks for the reply. I did think it was predominantly ex miltary, never mind.
Any suggestions as a starting point to move my career in cargo forward. I want to get out of the daily grind, and gain some experience with cargo aircraft. I am prepared to work abroad on a rotational basis but unsure where to start. I have looked on the net, but can not find any info. I know that cargo volumes are down worldwide, so maybe now is not the best time to be looking.

[Metro man]

Training as an airline dispatcher would give a solid grounding in many of the basics and possibly give you a leg up into a trainee position. Dispatchers do weight and balance, load control, flight planning and alot of running around organising things. There are schools in the states that do dispatcher training and issue FAA certificates.

They probably won't teach you how to tie a land rover down inside a Hercules or operate heavy equipment but it will give you a head start with prospective employers.

[a300dave]

Try Wicks at Stansted. Top bokes there. Mostly ex Channex or Heavylift. Thought you might of heard of them if you've been doing this sort of thing for a while. No need for RAF training, its mostly OJT with a couple of weeks in the classroom. Look out for freightdoggydogs' posts aswell.

[minigundiplomat]

ex RAF "movers" as they have all the necessary ground experience with building pallets and loading aircraft unlike most RAF loadmasters


In 10 years as a RAF mover, I built many pallets all over the world and loaded many aircraft. And in 11 years as a rotary loadmaster, I always loaded my own aircraft.
Take it from me, it is far easier to build pallets than to get a donkey to reverse into a Chinook with the rotors turning.
Apart from that - you are mostly correct.

[superspotter]

Yes apparently I am a dying breed:eek:
Cargolux have a regular LM "school" in Luxembourg. I dont know if it is just an in house thing or whether they take in fee paying guests though.

[Papa Sierra]

SS,

From memory Cargolux Load Control/Planning is run by LM's, they only fly when their aircraft operate "off route" or with prestigious loads usually associated with the "big" car companies. Certainly they will have their own "inhouse" training programme, however the turnover of LM's would be such that it hardly warrants a school.

[CR2]

Papa Sierra. CLX: exactly as you say.

[slowto280]

I believe Midex may be looking for some loadmasters, with your background, it may work. It might be worth a call to them..... Either way, good luck!!!

[muduckace]

Simple math and alot of common sence. I have known ex military loadmasters, loadmasters who doubled as pax ops reps, knew one load master who hired on with no experience and was on his feet in 2 weeks.

Most of the math today has been replaced by simple computer programs you could keep on a laptop, plug in palet weights and it spits out positions and cg calculations... err the F/E or F/O is ultimately responsible as I remember for accepting the calculations.

Watching often poorly educated load crew that you can not communicate with in 3rd world nations is a big part of the job (can't be on the main deck and watching the bellies all the time). If you are lucky you will have a great MX Rep. with you to help babysit the load while you handle the load sheet, cargo docs, make sure a flight plan is on the way etc.

A great Load Master will be there to hold a flashlight, when the aircraft is broken.

It is a demanding job, you pretty much need to place your job at the highest priority as most companies expect.

[daveyb]

ACL operate a herc which use an LM you could try them, channex used to use them the odd occasion on the f27&electra

fedex had a few(dont know wether they use them still)as the w&b is done by two ramp agents at most stations now.

[minigundiplomat]

the math today has been replaced by simple computer programs


As have many F/E's!

[freightdoggy dog]

Magpieranger: All of the above, RAF to be an Air Loadmaster..In civvie world give Wicksair / Volga a try at STN.....its a small world and tends to be word of mouth...but a grounding in movements or dispatch helps.

Just be aware that its a dying trade...you have to think on your feet and drink the F/E under the table..and yes I do dust me suit off now and again for a bloody 4am cargo flight to Fraggle Rock !!!

Have a special one in the New Year as well...just hope I fit the coveralls ha ha ...now where did I put that Casio and pencil