Flight Structures (FSI) and Timco expect the Boeing 767-200 cargo modification developed for Airborne Express to receive its supplemental type certificate (STC) from the US Federal Aviation Administration within the next two months.
According to Michael Hugill, president of Seattle-based FSI, the modification of the first 767, one of 10 ex-All Nippon Airways (ANA) aircraft being acquired by Airborne, has been completed by Greensboro, North Carolina-based maintenance specialist Timco. "Three aircraft are now at Timco and the first has been completed," says Hugill.
Timco expects to begin a 10-15h flight test programme in June, and an STC should be received in July to enable Airborne to introduce the type into service the same month.
Hugill says that Airborne will own the 767 STC. Airborne Express uses special cargo containers that fit through standard passenger doors, removing the need for installation of a large main deck cargo door. Modification work is centred on the removal of the passenger equipment and the installation of a strengthened cabin floor.
Airborne has contracted to acquire 10 of ANA's 25 General Electric CF6-80-powered 767-200s to expand a fleet which includes more than 100 McDonnell Douglas DC-8s and DC-9s. The carrier is planning to acquire a further 10-15 767s up to 2004.
Source: Flight International
