ANDREW DOYLE / BEIJING
IAI subsidiary set to beat Boeing to offer 747-400 cargo conversion programme
TEXT: Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Bedek Aviation Group will seek board approval in December to launch the world's first Boeing 747-400 passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversion programme.
The move should enable Bedek to beat Boeing to the market by at least several months. It has already stolen a march on the US manufacturer by launching non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approved PTF modifications for the 737-300/400 and 767-200.
A large number of 747-400s delivered in the late 1980s and early 1990s are approaching the "zone of convertibility" due to their steadily declining market values.
"There are 200 aircraft over 10 years old that are candidates for conversion from 2005," said Bedek deputy general manager aircraft conversion programmes Nissim Abitan at IAI's 2nd International Aircraft Conversion to Freighter Conference in Beijing, China.
Subject to IAI board approval for the project in early December, Bedek expects to start detailed design work early next year and begin the first conversion in November 2004, with deliveries starting in June 2005.
Bedek-converted 747-400s will have a maximum structural payload of 115,000kg (255,000lb), about 3,630kg more than Bedek-converted 747-200s. But range with full payload is extended to "over 4,000nm [7,400km], about 1,000nm more than the -200," says Nissim.
The targeted operational empty weight of 162,000kg for the -400 will be a "very tough target to meet", he adds. The payload-range performance of the aircraft will not match that of factory-built 747-400Fs which have a stronger wing than passenger versions.
Included in the modification work will be the installation of an aft main deck cargo door and strengthened main deck floor beams. Upper deck floor beams will be cut back so additional 3m (10ft)- high cargo containers can be accommodated on the main deck.
Meetings with the US Federal Aviation Administration to discuss certification issues have been set for mid-January. "We plan to amend our supplemental type certificate for the 747-200 to include the -400," says Nissim.
Meanwhile, Boeing's long-awaited 747-400 Special Freighter programme is to be launched early next year, with deliveries starting in late 2005. The manufacturer says it is in talks with potential investors and conversion partners for the programme, and forecasts demand for six to 10 conversions annually.
Source: Flight International
