Snow Aviation has begun work on a full freighter conversion for the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia regional turboprop. The Columbus, Ohio-based company has begun baseline testing of an unmodified Brasilia and expects to fly the converted aircraft late in the third quarter.
The conversion involves extensive modifications to the rear fuselage to cover the existing baggage door and install a 2.5 x 1.55m (8.3 x 5ft)-high cargo door just aft of the wing. The floor will be strengthened to carry 1,400-1,800kg (3,000-4,000lb) cargo pallets, and an optional roller handling system will be installed, says president Harry Snow. A cargo barrier will be fitted, with a net as an option, along with a fire detection system.
The Brasilia freighter will have a payload of around 3,200kg and the conversion will cost "less than $1 million", says Snow. US certification is expected in October. Current Brasilia cargo conversions use the existing baggage door and are aimed mainly at package carriers. "This is a real, heavy, full-blown freighter" aimed at the high-speed freight market, he says. Snow sees a market for at least 80 conversions, split between 60 commercial freighters and 20 military multi-role aircraft. The military version will have a split cargo/paratroop door.
Snow is developing and marketing the conversion independently, but has received loads data from Embraer. The baseline testing now under way, including twist and ground-vibration tests, will be repeated following conversion to show that "before and after, the aircraft is as good as ever," Snow says.
A number of Brasilias are already operated as freighters and quick change aircraft. Saab has meanwhile looked at launching a 340 cargo conversion.
Source: Flight International
