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Library > Fact Sheets > Air Transportability Test Loading Agency (ATTLA)
AIR TRANSPORTABILITY TEST LOADING AGENCY (ATTLA)
Posted 7/31/2012
Printable Fact Sheet
Purpose
The Air Transportability Test Loading Agency (ATTLA) is the Department of Defense agency responsible for the approval of airlift cargo. ATTLA certification is required if the cargo exceeds set requirements (see list of requirements). ATTLA gives assistance to all branches of the federal government, and works directly with contractors and procurement offices to ensure the design of new pieces of equipment allows for air transportability. ATTLA also provides air drop certification, as well as authoring and maintaining MIL-HDBK-1791.
List of Requirements
ATTLA certification is required for items exceeding any one of the following limits:
- Length: 20 ft
- Height or Width: 8 ft
- Weight: 10,000 lbs
- Load concentration: 1600 lbs per linear foot
- Floor contact pressure: 50 psi
- Axle loads: 5000 lbs
- Wheel loads: 2500 lbs
- Or, any item which requires special equipment or procedures for loading.
Air Transport
Any item to be airlifted by USAF transport aircraft that exceeds specific limitations (see list of requirements) must be certified by ATTLA. The first step in the certification process is for the agency that owns or is developing the item to send a written certification request to ATTLA, along with a description of the physical characteristics of the equipment.
After the request is received, ATTLA conducts an analysis of the item's air transportability at no cost to the requesting federal agency. If the item meets requirements, ATTLA returns a certification memo; otherwise, ATTLA recommends changes that will allow the item to meet those requirements.
If analysis alone cannot positively determine the transportability of the item, then a test loading must be performed. Test loadings are done when the transportability is uncertain. They require a formal test report and usually are conducted as Special Airlift Missions. Though occasionally required, ATTLA attempts to avoid test loadings due to the high costs associated with them.
For items still in development, ATTLA provides design assistance through the procurement office to assure that the vendor meets all airlift requirements. ATTLA personnel can actively participate in the evolution of the design; however, the procurement office must provide the necessary funding.
Every item that is certified by ATTLA receives a signed memo. These memos are sent to the agency owning the equipment and should accompany the item during shipment. Additional copies of all certification memos are forwarded to HQ AMC/A37V for inclusion in their files. ATTLA also maintains a database of all items that have been certified since 1974.
For information on shipment by means other than aircraft, please see the Army's Transportation Engineering Agency (SDDC/TEA) web site.
Contact the ATTLA group by email: ATTLA@wpafb.af.mil.
Air Drop
Airdrop is a unique form of air transport wherein the transported cargo item is specially prepared for air-to-ground delivery using procedures and equipment purposely developed for this application. ATTLA personnel have been involved with the development of all types of past and present airdrop systems for delivery of supplies and equipment ranging from personnel items to cargo in excess of 60,000 lbs. Systems for airdrop of supplies and equipment can safely extract it from an aircraft, and with the use of clustered parachutes and energy-dissipating materials for ground impact, lower it to the ground with no damage to the payload. However, this is complex equipment operating under dynamic conditions, and even a slight error could result in the loss of the load or injury to the aircrew, or could endanger the transporting aircraft. To prevent this, all equipment to be air dropped must be qualified through actual airdrop trials. Each item must have Air Force certification before these procedures can be approved. Certification can only be granted through the ATTLA office.
For further air drop information contact:
ATTLA@wpafb.af.mil
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What items need ATTLA certification?
A. Cargo items which approach or exceed limits set in the aircraft loadmaster's manual, (commonly called the "dash nine") may be refused for loading at the aircrew's discretion. A certification memo from ATTLA signifies that the item has been examined by experienced technical personnel and specifies under what conditions the item meets HQ AMC requirements for loading and safety of flight. Certification by ATTLA may also be used as criteria for acceptance of a developmental item to ensure that it was designed with an air transport capability. Normally, ATTLA only reviews those items considered "problem loads" in that they exceed one or more of the parameters set fourth on the "requirements" page.
Q. When should we contact ATTLA?
A. ATTLA should be contacted at the earliest opportunity. For developmental items, we can provide design information to the program office for distribution to potential bidders. We can also assist during a source selection and provide guidance (not direction) to a vendor after contract award. However, ATTLA will not issue a certification memo until the configuration of the item is fixed. For existing items, ATTLA should be contacted as soon as the airlift requirement is identified. This will permit more time to exchange data, obtain mobility kits, or do modifications to the item before it needs to be airlifted.
Q. Where can we get information on the aircraft?
A. Data on the C-130, C-141, and C-5 is contained in MIL-HDBK-1791. Information on the C-17 will be added as time permits, but customers with a legitimate need may contact us for information. We are able to also provide additional specific data and answer any questions pertaining to airlift or airdrop from these four aircraft. We also have limited information on KC-135, KC-10, and CRAF cargo mission capability.
Q. What is the process to get an item approved?
A. First, the federal organization which is buying, or which will "own" the item should contact us with a written request. The content is not formalized, but should include a physical description of the item to be shipped, and pertinent data that applies to the airlift configuration. Second, we will analyze the information (normally this requires 30 to 60 days). Items determined to be air transportable receive a certification memo stating the conditions for approval. Very rarely, an item may require a test loading or need a waiver, which will lengthen the process. If the item cannot be airlifted at all, a reply is sent back with an explanation of the rejection.
Q. Do we have to do a test loading?
A. A test loading is an expensive undertaking and we try to avoid them whenever possible. Over 99% of previously certified items did not require a test loading. With modern computer analyses, test loadings are becoming increasingly rare. Some loadings are still conducted from a desire of the development to verify that the item fits into the aircraft, and to get procedural information plus publicity photos. We consider these type of loading demonstrations to be "validation" loads if there are procedural techniques to be verified. If required, a validation loading can be done the first time an item is airlifted, and does not have to be a separate event.
Q. If a new item is similar to an older model, does the new item require its own certification?
A. Yes, if the new item differs from an older model, a new certification should be issued to document the changes. This will permit the new item to be airlifted after the old item is no longer in service. If the changes are minor, the updated certification memo may simply include both or provide a generic identification. If the changes are significant, a new stand-alone analysis and memo are needed to verify that set parameters are not exceeded.
Q. If an item has been shipped before, does it need to be certified again?
A. An item that was shipped before without a certification memo still should be analyzed and documented. Parameters for air transport are dictated by worst case conditions, so prior transport does not qualify an item just because it was successful in the past. An item that was previously shipped with a certification memo may be shipped again so long as the item meets the descriptions and conditions specified therein.
Requests for ATTLA support can be sent directly to ATTLA@wpafb.af.mil
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