US cargo specialist Murray Aviation is carrying out the first cargo conversion of a British Aerospace Jetstream 31 (J31), and is aiming to secure a supplemental type certificate early next year.
The Detroit-based company has bought a 13-year-old ex-US Airways Express J31, which is undergoing conversion at its base. According to Murray president Mark Murray, the ad hoc cargo carrier sees the J31 as an ideal small freighter and will use the conversion for its own needs as well as offering third party modifications.
"We have a long-term need for 17-20 J31 freighters for our own fleet," says Murray. "We will also convert J31s for sale within North America, while a conversion kit will be available for European and Australasian operators," he adds.
Murray says that a passenger J31 typically trades for around $800,000-$1 million, while the conversion could cost about $400,000. The company is in talks with BAe on technical assistance.
The conversion involves the removal of the passenger cabin fittings and the installation of a strengthened floor and large rear freight door. "We will install a pressure bulkhead just aft of the cockpit to reduce the pressurised cabin volume and the load on the engines," says Murray. The aircraft will have a 2.3t payload capability.
The starboard overwing escape hatch will be removed and replaced by a forward fuselage hatch in the pressurised cockpit area, doubling as a crew entry/exit door when the cargo compartment is full.
Source: Flight International
