The Royal New Zealand Air Force has emerged as the first customer for Singapore Technologies Aerospace’s (ST Aero) relaunched Boeing 757-200 cargo-conversion programme.
RNZAF Air Vice Marshal John Hamilton says the air force has selected ST Aero to convert its two 757-200 troop transport aircraft into combis and the two parties are finalising a contract. On the sidelines of the Heli-Pacific conference in Coolum, near Brisbane, Australia, Hamilton told Flight International the aircraft will be converted at ST Aero’s Mobile, Alabama plant in 2006 and 2007.
ST Aero has been trying to line up 757 conversion customers since relaunching its 757-200SF programme last year. ST Aero and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) converted 34 757s for DHL from 2001 to 2003 under a programme led by Boeing. But last year the programme was restructured, with Boeing dropping its prime role and the supplemental type certificate (STC) shifting to ST Aero and IAI.
ST Aero is now seeking its own STC, with licence data provided by Boeing. Hamilton says RNZAF selected ST Aero because it is supported by Boeing, unlike new competitors Precision Conversions and Structural Integrity Engineering.
“To ensure airworthiness we required a Boeing-approved STC,” says Hamilton. He does not expect ST Aero to have difficulties in securing the new STC because it is the same as the one used to convert the DHL aircraft, apart from strengthened floors. DHL’s aircraft were equipped with cargo doors, but did not require a full conversion because they carry packages rather than freight.
Hamilton says the first 757 will be delivered to ST Aero in March 2006 and will take six months to convert. The second will be converted after the first is redelivered. RNZAF uses its 757s to transport up to 200 troops, often from airports in the South Pacific which cannot accommodate larger commercial aircraft. Hamilton says the RNZAF is seeking the cargo conversion to give it the flexibility to carry up to 11 pallets or 4,990kg (11,000lb) of cargo.
BRENDAN SOBIE/BRISBANE
Source: Flight International
