UPS AIRLINES HAS become the first major North American carrier to operate an entire fleet complying with Stage 3 noise limits, with the re-engineing of the last of its 51 Boeing 727-100QF freighters.
The package carrier says that it has complied with Stage 3 regulations three years ahead of the 31 December, 1999, deadline.
UPS says that it is now the largest airline in the world with a totally Stage 3 fleet. In addition to the 51 727-100QFs which have been re-engined with Rolls-Royce Tay turbofans, the parcels carrier operates eight hushkitted 727-200s, 49 CFM56-powered McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71/73s, 14 Boeing 747-100s, 60 757-200s and 15 767-300s.
Re-engineing the 727-100s has cost UPS more than $500 million, but was required because the aircraft are used mainly for night operations. Four of the Tay-powered 727 Quiet Freighters are being fitted with convertible interiors for weekend passenger-charter services planned by the carrier.
Source: Flight International
