Loadcontrol Training Planetair
 

Hi guys first i will like to say that in really new and fresh guy here :)
and i really like ur site and forums :)
Ok now to my question:
I live in Greece(crete) and i work for Swissport, for two years i was a Red Cap
and now they told me that i will go for Load Control.....:eek:
not that this is bad but i kind of afraid of this training......
Is there any thing that will help me in my free time to study???
And i also know that we gona train in Planetair system!!!!!
some friends told me that is quiet hard and im a bit down....
They told me that i will do a week of manual loadsheet andthis is the
hardest thing esp. the precaluation.......:uhoh:
Any good advise for what i should study or try to not mess up????

p.s. My course starts in 8 days:{

Hi David

don't be sad, load control is one of the most interesting activities in terms of ground handling. While it isn't easy to master, it's not an impossible job as long as you are organized, motivated and willing to learn. The manual loadsheet is a crucial part of the progress - if you understand how and why it works, especially in terms of underloads and the flight envelope, you will be well prepared to face the rest.

Being a Red Cap is always a good starting point for a load controller - if you already know the "how", it will be easier to understand the "why".

The best advice when going "on the job", is to try and be organized and remain one step ahead of everything. In terms of load control, a wrong predicition is always better than a late reaction. :ok:

Load control training is nothing to be scared of. It is over 40 years since I initially trained in load control and it is a bit like riding a bike. Seems difficult to master at first but one learned by means of a structured course that allows you to understand the principles involved is not forgotten.
Start with an open mind, learn and enjoy.

If completing a structured course manual loadsheets aren't that bad. Its all in the preparation. Look into all possibilities that may occur during turnarounds. Consider pax distribution when loads are low, cargo changes, dangerous goods segregation, no show pax, increased bag figures/volume.

You wont get it all cleared overnight, however take things one step at a time. Soon enough, you will develop a skill that will help you much more when using a computerised system.

Oh yes...if doing live flights..take a spare clean copy with you in case you need to start again!:}

Gday Buddy,

Firstly Congratulations on getting offered the job. Loadcontrol is one of the most interesting careers you can have as a ground handler. I have been doing loadcontrolling for the last 2 1/2 years and am currently a Training Co-ordinator. I also have a Pilots License so fly aswell. If I did not love flying so much, I would not even think about another job. I agree with all the coments previously posted. It will take time but you will get the hang off it. We currently put our "newbies" through around 2 months of buddy training. Recently we had a intake were the 2 new recruits only had limited experience and manged to get licensed with Malaysian Airlines on A330 / B777 and B747 in 5 Days. Remember in the courses they are there to teach and make sure you pass and understand what is going. Trust me they will not come there to fail you. If you have any questions dont hesitate to email me any time. Once again congratulations and all the best

Rgds

Armen

Thx
 

Wow thanks guys you make me look at it with
a diffrent way!!!!
Well soon i will start the course so when(if) i pass i let you know :}

In response to your PM/thread. I will repeat to you (and for the thread), I have NO pax experience at all. 747 freighters and thats it. The very idea of dealing with pax gives me more gray hair :}

First off David, have confidence in yourself. Not arrogance, confidence. Important difference. Don't be afraid to ask questions, ask them twice or three times until you understand (though that is not an excuse for not listening...)

You say you've been a Red Cap; I would say that is an excellent background. Knowing the practicalities, the "problems", perhaps certain tricks. Knowing your airplane is everything. I spent about 6 months loading and offloading 74Fs (with a qualified Loadmaster) before I did a loadcontrol course. I was told, don't worry about the loadsheet, learn the aircraft. Damned good advice. The loadsheet is a written expression of what you want to do Experience gained on the airplane will teach you what is "good" and what is "not so good".

Manual loadsheets... well, when I started, that was all we had. It is not something to "worry" about; the mathematics is a bit of + and a bit of - . If and when you get into the formulae behind the math (not really important for a beginner), just follow the formula. This is not a math class in school, use a calculator :}

Ask the "old farts" who are doing the job for advice, tricks, tips. If nothing else, they'll see that you are interested and will for sure be willing to help you. But listen to what they say. There is nothing worse than the new kid telling the old experienced guys what's what. Even if you're right :} (Been there, done that :ouch: ) If you ask 3 experienced guys about a specific question, you'll probably get 3 different yet valid answers. You'll figure out what works for you and make your choices. That will become the experience you pass on to the next generation.

Always think of the next downline station... make sure you don't give them extra work for nothing. Always think of them.... not so much to be a nice guy, but for ground time purposes. Try not to have them offload "your" bags/cargo to get to "theirs". A lot of airports charge for that... That said, it is occasionally unavoidable, especially when you are working on the edge of what is allowed. If that is the case... do it, don't worry about it. Never "dither", ie waste time because you can't make up your mind. You WILL make some "mistakes" in the beginning (mistakes being experience related), just learn from them. I remember on the 74F a long time ago.... trying to offload a 20ft pallet with a 74 engine on it. I couldn't get it out, couldn't figure out why and finally got the damned thing stuck. Very stuck. If I had calmed down and opened my eyes, I would have seen the system was in "Load" while I was trying to "Offload"... I had to call another guy to help me out. My colleagues made sure I didn't forget that one... We all have our own stories about screwing up... hard lessons learned.

Do some homework, self-study on the aircraft you will be working with. Ask your colleagues to give you "tests"; Ask your colleagues about the most difficult things they had to deal with and how they did it.

Finally, your company has invited you to join their course because they think you'll make it. It costs them money to train you, so they figure its worth it and you have a chance...

Καλή τύχη!

Any monkey can do Freighters! PAX & Combi’s are where the real skills are at!!!

Manual loadsheets are the best, IMHO. If you learn that well enough, you’ll be able to look at a Cargo Manifest & start writing the positions down without bothering with the LIR...initially. The calculator analogy is good. You would have learned to write out sums before you got a calculator...same difference.

Ratty’s advice is true. Look after your downline ports, abuse hell out of the upline ports that screw you, and above all, look after your ramp staff & don’t make them run around like headless chooks! They can ruin your day, big time if inclined to! I never worked on the ramp, so I was very reliant on their skill at estimating how all the pieces would fit. Use their advice & make sure you give credit where its due.

Also...if you are loading some really heavy stuff onto an aircraft, just make sure the destination port can offload it! (PM Ratty for more...):E

"Also...if you are loading some really heavy stuff onto an aircraft, just make sure the destination port can offload it! (PM Ratty for more...)"

I thank the Lord I was on vacation for that mess... Buster can tell more, he had to deal with our ****. We sent a 747F down to him from Europe to Australia... with a heavy pallet on board... so the aircraft get's to Buster's place (MEL); they can't offload it (Too heavy for their ground equipment - not checked in advance) . After much GRRRR... airplane was sent over to SYD? where they had equipment for it. A very very expensive affair, with lots of spankings.

Is that about right Buster? Or did it go to Avalon, can't remember anymore.

Lesson? Check the next station can do what you plan....

Sorry for thread drift....

I think it went to SYD from memory & was trucked back.

The spankings had been booked in advance I hear, and were thoroughly enjoyed by all....

Hey David... any updates on your training?