Extra-Large Wings on Air: Cargo Shipping Planes and Its Difference With Passenger Aircraft

Extra-Large Wings on Air: Cargo Shipping Planes and Its Difference With Passenger Aircraft

When using an air cargo shipping service, some might wonder about how they actually fly so many things to different places. Compared to the usual passenger aircraft, it is hard to imagine how so items and packages can fit inside. As most people know, the planes used for the two types of cargo (people vs. 'actual' cargo) are not the same.

Passenger aircraft, which everyone has grown to know and love, are built to carry a certain capacity of weight, restricted to people, carry-on luggage, and other relatively lighter objects.

An example of this type of commercial airplane is the Boeing 737 Next Generation series. This narrow-bodied passenger aircraft is not used for air cargo shipping because it can only carry up to 756-1,835 cubic feet of cargo paired with its 130-215 seating capacity; adding anymore to this will render the aircraft overloaded.

Freight planes, on the other hand, do without the seating capacity as they function solely to transport goods, and not people; there is more space for shipment to be stored, especially since these fright planes are designed to be bigger than its commercial counterparts. The Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter (LCF), or the Dreamlifter, is a perfect example of how cargo planes are made differently to suit their function.

This outsize cargo freight aircraft is used exclusively for transporting airplane parts from around the world. This plane can hold up to 65,000 cubic feet in its main cargo compartment and has a wingspan of 211 feet and 5 inches. This wingspan allows it to soar in the skies even with heavy airplane equipment inside, as compared to the 93 feet that the Boeing 737 is equipped with; making the Dreamlifter a giant that can hold so much more than other commercial jets.

As seen from this comparison, freight planes are really made to be bigger and more durable than commercial counterparts because of their function. Modifications have been made to make them an ideal form of transport for shipment of different sizes, ensuring everyone that their goods are safe and secure even from 25,000 to 37,000 feet above ground.

Why You Want to Be a Marine Corps Pilot In case you're wondering what the life of a Marine pilot is like let me give you a quick rundown on what you can expect once you earn those coveted wings of gold.

Why You Want to Be a Marine Corps Pilot

In case you're wondering what the life of a Marine pilot is like let me give you a quick rundown on what you can expect once you earn those coveted wings of gold.


Challenge- As you can imagine being a pilot in the Corps is challenging. You might be flying an AV-8B Harrier in support of forces on the ground, or performing assault missions in a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor. You might launch from carriers decks in your F-18 Hornet or pound enemy position in your AH-1Z helicopter gunship. These are only a few of the aircraft and missions you could be flying as a Marine.

Fulfillment- As a Marine pilot you are part of something that is bigger than yourself. You're an essential ingredient to the Marine Air Ground team and part of the reason why the Corps can accomplish more with less. Because the Corps is an expeditionary force it doesn't travel with many heavy weapons. Marine air power fills that void and provides an umbrella of protection for Marines on the ground.


The People-You will fly with some of the best people on the planet. The relationships that you make as a Marine Corps pilot will follow you throughout your career and into the civilian world.


These are just a few of the benefits of becoming a Marine Corps Pilot. I didn't mention the pride of being a Marine or the feeling you'll have when you finish flight training and pin on Marine Aviator wings.

I didn't mention the elation of making your first operational carrier landing or the excitement of going on a cruise.