Kelowna Flightcraft is developing a passenger and cargo “combi” modification to the Boeing 737-300, initially to fulfill a requirement for Canadian North.
That airline has “a big need to replace their 737-200 [combi] fleet with that same kind of capability”, said Kelowna Flightcraft president Tracy Medve at the Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE) in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
“They chose the 737-300 because of the size, and because the operating economics are good for northern carriers,” says Medve.
Boeing currently manufactures the 737-700C, which can be converted from an all-cargo configuration to an all-passenger one. Only 21 aircraft of the variant have been ordered.
Kelowna Flightcraft’s 737-300 combi modification will have four configurations: all-cargo, with a 18,220kg (40,000lb) capacity; 30 or 86 seats and the balance cargo; or all-passenger, with 132 seats. The door conversion is executed by Pemco Air, based at Tampa, Florida.
Responsibility for the combi work lies with Kelowna Flightcraft, which will ensure compliance with regulations requiring containment of a potential fire in the cargo area. However, unlike the 737-200 combi, the new 737-300 modification will not be approved for operation on gravel runways.
Medve says Kelowna Flightcraft is hoping to “have all of the approvals in place to launch the airplane later this year”.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
