Kelowna FlightCraft has restarted its stretched Convair 580 programme, dubbed the 5800, with plans to convert an extra three aircraft. The British Colombia-based company also had news at the show of upgrade work on Lockheed T-33 jet trainers and the Kazan Mi-17 helicopter.
The Convair 5800 stretch programme was effectively put on ice after the completion of just two aircraft, both of which are still owned by Kelowna. These aircraft, one of which is operated on freight duties in Newfoundland and the other on lease to FedEx in the Philippines, are now being offered for sale. Kelowna says that it does not have firm customers for the "new" 5800s, but believes the market will emerge as aircraft are completed.
Work has started on stripping the first aircraft, a C-131 (the military version of the 580), which the company expects to complete by next June. The second aircraft is now expected to be produced as the first passenger version of the 5800, although Kelowna is keeping its options open by building in a cargo door to provide either full passenger, combi or all-freighter capability. The third aircraft, if sanctioned, may be another passenger version .
Kelowna is also negotiating an agreement with Allison Engines over the possible re-engineing of Convair 580s with Allison 501-D22 turboprops in place of the earlier -D13 powerplants, although it would keep the Hamilton Standard 4H60-164 propellers. The company estimates that the engine change could be offered for up to 110 Convair 580s.
Meanwhile, Kelowna has announced the award of a C$20 million ($15 million) contract to upgrade 18 Lockheed T-33 jet trainers for Bolivia. The contract covers depot-level inspection and repair and a "glass-cockpit" avionics upgrade for the aircraft, which are used as advanced jet trainers by the Bolivian air force.
Honeywell will supply avionics for the upgrade, including Primus II radios, laser-gyro attitude- and heading-reference system, radar altimeter and micro air-data computers. Rogerson Kratos will supply the liquid-crystal-display electronic flight-instruments.
Kelowna says that the Bolivian programme is based on avionics and structural upgrades under way on Canadian Forces' T-33s, designated CT-133s. The company sees a potential market for up to 100 additional T-33 upgrades for other operators of the aircraft.
The Canadian company has also flown a Kazan Mi-17 helicopter equipped with Western avionics. The upgraded Mi-17KF was first flown on 3 August, in time to be displayed at Airshow Canada. Russian certification of the upgrade is planned, as well as Canadian approval of the helicopter, initially for external-lift applications. The Mi-17KF is expected to cost C$4.7 million.
Source: Flight International
