JUSTIN WASTNAGE / TOULOUSE
French design bureau Aéroconseil has won two more orders from Dublin-based FedEx Express partner Air Contractors, after its first ATR 42-300 Bulk Freighter conversion was delivered in June. The move pits it against the ATR-approved conversion work of Aeronavali.
Toulouse-based Aéroconseil won European and US approval for its rival version of the structural-tube configuration ATR conversion earlier this year, which uses the passenger version's forward cargo door. It has established a partnership with Société Industrielle Aéronautique du Midi to perform the modifications. The design, with a gross usable volume of 56m2 (603ft2), includes the installation of transverse nets that require reinforcement of the longitudinal tracks inside the fuselage to ensure they withstand up to 9g of acceleration.
Venice-based Alenia Aeronautica/ Finmeccanica joint venture Aeronavali is the original equipment manufacturer-approved supplier of conversions of the ATR range, and has developed a large cargo door conversion for the ATR 42/72, which allows pallets to be loaded.
ATR chief executive Jean-Michel Léonard says he 'conservatively' estimates the cargo conversion market to account for around 150 aircraft from the company's asset management portfolio over the next five years. Many of the orders are expected from FedEx and its partner operators, after a selection of the type earlier this year for its 5,000kg (11,000lb)-payload aircraft requirement. 'FedEx is seriously considering the ATR 72 for its 7,000kg payload requirement and, were this to happen, I would see most of the ATR 72s flying in the large cargo door configuration and the ATR 42s flying in the Bulk Freighter version,' he adds.
Aéroconseil has no plans to offer a large cargo door modification, as it lacks the technical expertise associated with the structural work. Dominique Berger, Aéroconseil chief executive, expects 10 more orders next year for the Bulk Freighter conversion, which he says is around half the price of Aeronavali's equivalent. Léonard expects more companies to offer ATR cargo conversions. He says ATR will deliver around 10 new aircraft this year.
Source: Flight International
