Precision Conversions, the US-based 757 cargo modification specialist, has picked Goodrich to perform the conversion work.
The pair will compete in an increasingly tight marketplace for 757 conversions against a team comprising Boeing, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero). Alcoa and Structural Integrity Engineering (SIE) have teamed to develop a 757-200 conversion kit and Pemco Aviation Group may offer a kit.
Oregon-based Precision Conversions was created in October 2001 by the Erickson Group and Wagner Aeronautical with the task of developing a 757-200 conversion programme. Under the new deal with Goodrich, Precision will continue to be responsible for designing, certificating and manufacturing the conversion kits. Goodrich's Aviation Technical Services unit will modify the prototype aircraft at its Everett, Washington facility and will also potentially install the Precision-designed kit on additional 757s if a launch customer can be found.
Boeing is also restructuring its 757-200 programme in a bid to cut conversion costs. To date, the Boeing-IAI-ST Aero team has done the only 757 conversions, having completed 21 for launch customer DHL. But Boeing commercial aviation services vice-president of freighter conversions Mike Stewart says the manufacturer is restructuring the teaming arrangement in an effort to offer future customers a price of $5.5 million. He says this will allow Boeing to compete better with new-entrants Precision and SIE.
Source: Flight International
