Boeing, Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) and ANA (All Nippon Airways) celebrated the completion and certification of the first 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter at a redelivery ceremony held in Singapore on Monday. Boeing launched the 767-300BCF passenger-to-freighter conversion program in 2005 with three firm orders and four options from ANA. Since then, ANA has exercised all the options and now has ordered seven passenger-to-freighter conversions in all.
“We are delighted to take delivery of the first 767-300BCF. It will be a key aircraft in the expansion of our cargo operation and express delivery services to countries neighbouring Japan,” said Shinsuke Maki, ANA’s senior vice president, Engineering & Maintenance, who was present at the ceremony.
The ANA jet began its transformation from a passenger airplane to a freighter on Oct. 18, 2007, when it arrived at ST Aerospace’s subsidiary ST Aviation Services Company (SASCO) in Paya Lebar, Singapore. Boeing, SASCO and ANA celebrated the completion of the door cutting ahead of the production schedule on Nov. 18, a significant process that signifies the readiness of the aircraft for major modifications, and they completed the conversion work for this prototype in April on schedule. On April 10, Boeing test pilots flew the airplane from Singapore to Seattle, followed by two months of flight testing. The 50-ton-capacity freighter flew nonstop to Seattle, completing the 14-hour, 51-minute flight at 10:13 a.m. the same day, but 15 time zones away. Boeing began its ground testing and certification program immediately thereafter. The prototype passed its flight tests with outstanding results and was flown back to Singapore on May 26.
With up to 54 tonnes of lift, high dispatch reliability, superior performance, low noise and thrifty fuel consumption, the 767-300 is a valuable member of any freighter fleet. Passenger-to-freighter conversion is an excellent strategy for augmenting lift or for replacing aging DC-8s, A300s, and DC-10s.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing