Kelowna Flightcraft has sold its two stretched, re-engined Convair 5800 freighters to US cargo operator IFL Group.
The first aircraft is already in service with Pontiac, Michigan-based IFL's Contract Air Cargo. The second is being repainted at Flightcraft's Kelowna, British Columbia, plant ready for delivery.
The Canadian company developed and certificated the Convair 580 conversion and previously operated the aircraft on wet-lease contracts for freight companies. One was used for scheduled cargo services in Canada for Purolator Courier, and the other was based in the Philippines for FedEx.
IFL operates four Convair 580 freighters converted from ex-Ford Motor executive aircraft by the installation of Flightcraft's 3.05m (10ft)-wide cargo door. The Canadian company, which operates 10 580s for Purolator, plans to convert further Convairs to 5800 standard and IFL is believed to hold options on more aircraft.
The stretched 5800, which is powered by two Allison 501-series turboprops, can carry a 9,750kg (21,500lb) payload almost 1,300km (700nm).
Flightcraft, meanwhile, is converting two of the seven Boeing 727-200s it operated for defunct Greyhound Air to cargo configuration for use on its Purolator contract.
The conversion involves the company's first 727 cargo door installation. The other five ex-Greyhound aircraft are on lease to US passenger operators, according to the company.
Source: Flight International
