Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
RULEMAKING which could severely restrict the payloads of Boeing 727 freighter conversions was expected to be proposed by the US Federal Aviation Administration on 15 July.
The much-awaited notice of proposed rulemaking, according to sources, will outline a series of airworthiness directives (ADs) requiring strengthened floor beams on the modified freighters. They will cover more than 200 727s converted from passenger to freighter aircraft by third-party modification companies, rather than by Boeing, and is the result of FAA inspections which "-revealed possible discrepancies in the designs and installation practices used in some of these conversions."
The ADs had been expected to be issued late in 1996, but the FAA decided to consult affected cargo carriers and aircraft modifiers before proceeding.
The industry is anxious to learn the extent to which the FAA plans to restrict the payload of converted 727 freighters, pending completion of modifications. Of equal concern is whether the aviation agency will require immediate compliance with the ADs.
The notice of proposed rulemaking is expected to include a cost estimate for strengthening the freighter aircraft. Industry sources expected the FAA to give affected operators one year, or until the next scheduled C-check, to complete the work.
While it has been reported that the FAA will limit pallet weight to 1,360kg, from the current 3,600kg - ensuring that 727F operators will operate at a loss until the work is complete - industry sources believe that the pallet weight limit will not fall below 1,680kg, and could be as high as 2,720kg.
Hamilton Aviation, Wagner Aeronautical and Pemco World Air Services have developed and tested a technical solution to satisfy the requirements of the pending ADs on the 727F floor beams. They expect the FAA to award them a floor-modification supplemental type certificate this month.
While the solution, which is estimated to cost at least $135,000 per aircraft, is intended to resolve issues related to Pemco 727 cargo conversions, there is potential for wider application, they say.
Source: Flight International
