Singapore Technologies Aerospaceand Boeing announced that ST AviationServices Company (SASCO) has beenselected by Boeing to carry out passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversionsunder the 767-300BCF programme.The contract is estimated to be worthUS$136 million over 10 years.

Under its contract, SASCO will performaircraft maintenance and the passenger-to-freighter conversions with dataprovided by Boeing. The 767-300BCFconversion entails the removal of passengerinteriors, equipment, and furnishings;installation of a main-deck sidecargo door; replacement or strengtheningof the main-deck floor structures;installation of a 9-G rigid cargo barrier;and a new cargo handling system, as wellas other systems changes.

ST Aerospace will commence conversionof the first aircraft from ANA,Boeing’s launch customer for thisprogramme, at its SASCO facility inSingapore for conversion in October2007, and the prototype is expectedfor redelivery in June 2008, upon FAAcertification. ANA launched the 767-300BCF programme in 2005. SASCOwill perform conversions on five firmaircraft with two options.

SASCO is the second conversioncentre chosen by Boeing for the 767-300 after Aeronavali of Italy.

A 767-300 passenger aircraft undergoesmajor modifications on its maindeck, with the converted 767-300BCFexpected to have about the same cargocapability as the same model productionfreighter with approximately 50tonnes structural payload at a range ofapproximately 5,930km. There are 24pallet positions on the main deck.