Boeing has completed 80% of the engineering work for its 767SF (Special Freighter) conversion programme and is beginning an aggressive marketing campaign to secure a launch customer.
"We're deeply into the design," says Boeing Airplane Services (BAS) maintenance services director, Jerry Smith. "It's available pending a launch customer." The SF conversion is aimed initially at 767-200s, although BAS says it is "exploring the possibility of a conversion programme for the -300".
Expected revenue payload for the -200SF is to be around 39,045kg (86,000lb). Although slightly less than an optimised design for a production freighter variant of the -200 which was never built, BAS believes this compares favourably with alternative Airbus A300 and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar conversions, and is comparatively close to the 50,800kg (112,000lb) short-range payload of the dedicated 767-300F developed for United Parcel Service and Asiana. The conversion will also use the 2.67x 3.4m (8.7 x 11ft) main deck forward freight door of the 300F, and will involve structural strengthening throughout the main deck floor, main gear and forward fuselage.
Meanwhile, BAS plans to induct the first ex-British Airways 757-200 for the DHL freighter conversion programme in July and has just completed work on the initial freight door surround structure.
The first two aircraft will be converted at Wichita, Kansas, with subsequent modifications being completed at Bedek's site in Israel and by Singapore Technologies in Mobile, Alabama. Entry-into-service with DHL expected in January 2001.
Source: Flight International
