Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) has announced that it has formally launched an MD-80SF passenger to freighter conversion programme. The programme, which AEI said has been in works for six months, will focus on the modification of four DC9-80 aircraft – the MD-81, MD-82, MD-83 and the MD-88. The passenger-to-freighter conversion programme should receive certification from the FAA, EASA and CAAC in mid-2011, according to AEI’s VP sales and marketing, Robert Convey. The 75-day conversion will cost US$2.2 million, meaning operators can get the complete asset for $3.5 million, and it has the benefit of being able to carry more payload – up to 21,300 kg of upper deck cargo and up to 125 cubic metres of main deck volume – than the more expensive 737-300 or -400.

The programme development costs are being fully funded by AEI including the purchase of prototype aircraft and the modification work will be performed at AEI’s Authorised Conversion Center, Commercial Jet, which is located at Miami International Airport. AEI, a Boeing Licensed 3rd Party 737 STC provider, will initially convert the MD-80SF’s in Miami, but plans to make the conversion available to its worldwide network of Authorised Conversion Centers within one year of certification.

“AEI has been studying the MD-80SF passenger to freighter conversion for over 10 years and made the decision to launch the program based upon the low asset value. Historically, narrow body passenger aircraft have only been converted in large numbers when they have reached the zone of conversion, which is around 15 years of age and at or close to scrap value.

“The MD-80 now meets both these criteria and will be converted in large numbers in years to come.” He went on to say that, “AEI has converted more than 225 Boeing 727 passenger aircraft to freighters over a 20-year period, more than any other conversion supplier. I am confident that the MD-80 will follow this conversion pattern simply due to the low asset and conversion cost.”