The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) announced that ST Aerospace’s 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 Oct. 18 this year from All Nippon Airways (ANA), Boeing’s launch customer for this program. The prototype is expected for redelivery in June 2008, after completion of flight tests and certification by Boeing.
„This is an important day in the life of the Boeing Converted Freighter and the 767-300BCF Working Together partnership. “ said Dennis Floyd, Boeing vice president Freighter Conversions, „Like many of you, each of us on the BCF team dedicate our day, every day, to developing products that our customers can trust to bring them safe and reliable transportation services. It is the key to long-term customer satisfaction.“
A significant milestone in the passenger-to-freighter (PTF) programme, door cutting signifies the start of the major activity in a PTF. 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.
„We are happy that the completion of the door cutting for the first 767-300 BCF is ahead of production schedule. It demonstrates ST Aerospace’s commitment to delivering a quality product to Boeing in an efficient manner.“ said TAY Kok Khiang, President, ST Aerospace, „We are honoured with the confidence Boeing has placed in us. With the experience gained from the other conversion programmes, we will continue to leverage on our engineering capabilities, excellent quality and fast turnaround time, to bring even greater value to Boeing and its customers worldwide.“
Earlier in March this year, ST Aerospace, through SASCO, was selected by Boeing to perform PTF conversions under the 767-300 BCF programme. ST Aerospace is a part of Boeing’s international network of modification facilities, and was selected as the conversion centre for 767-300 BCF based on its performance. Since 1992, ST Aerospace’s facilities in Singapore and the US have been actively involved in performing PTF conversions for aircraft including the DC-10, MD-10 BCF, MD-11 BCF, 727 and 757-200 Special Freighter.
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. There are 24 pallet positions on the main deck. As with the other BCF conversions, Boeing offers a variety of support packages that may be incorporated during 767-300 BCF conversions, including avionics and flight-deck upgrades. Airlines may also consider options such as carbon brakes, live animal and perishable food carriage, weight upgrade and integration of technical manuals.
