Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) announced recently that its joint venture subsidiary, ST Aviation Services Company (SASCO), has completed the door cutting for the first 767- 300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF).
The aircraft was inducted on 18 October from All Nippon Airways (ANA), Boeing’s launch customer for the 767-300 programme. The prototype is expected for redelivery in June 2008, after completion of flight tests and certification by Boeing, according to ST Aerospace.
A signifi cant milestone in the passenger- to-freighter (PTF) programme, door cutting signifies the start of the major activity in a PTF, said Dennis Floyd, Boeing vice president Freighter Conversions. It indicates the readiness of the aircraft for the replacement of the floor structures, installation of the new door surround structures and the eventual installation of the main deck cargo door.
A 767-300 passenger aircraft undergoes major modifications on its main deck, with the converted 767-300 BCF expected to have about the same cargo capability as the same model production freighter with approximately 50 tonnes structural payload at a range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles (5,930km) and 412,000lbs (187,270kg) maximum take off weight.