Precision Conversions has blamed difficulties with suppliers and vendors for the six-month slip in US Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification (STC) of its Boeing 757-200 passenger-to-freighter modification. Approval had been expected in the first quarter of this year, but is now scheduled for early November.
The company says issues with staffing, availability and parts have led to a delay in the freight conversion specialist gaining its STC. "We're past all that now - the aircraft began engine runs on 20 September and it's ready to fly," says Precision.
Test flying is due to take place at the end of September. "Generally, the STC is granted 30 to 45 days after the test flight, so we're looking at early November," it adds.
Precision has five firm orders for its Boeing 757-200 modification. Work is under way on a Bouilloun Aviation Services-owned 757 and two aircraft owned by AWAS. Precision is also converting two 757s owned by International Lease Finance and leased by Shanghai Airlines.
Source: Flight International
