Aircraft Due For Redelivery In June 2008
On Wednesday, Boeing and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd
(ST Aerospace) announced that ST Aerospace's subsidiary, ST
Aviation Services Company (SASCO), has completed the door cutting
for the first 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The
aircraft was inducted on October 18 this year from All Nippon
Airways (ANA), Boeing's launch customer for this program.
The prototype is expected for redelivery in June 2008, after
completion of flight tests and certification by Boeing.
"This is an important day in the life of the Boeing Converted
Freighter and the 767-300BCF Working Together partnership," said
Dennis Floyd, Boeing vice president Freighter Conversions, "Like
many of you, each of us on the BCF team dedicate our day, every
day, to developing products that our customers can trust to bring
them safe and reliable transportation services. It is the key to
long-term customer satisfaction."
A significant milestone in the passenger-to-freighter (PTF)
program, door cutting signifies the start of the major activity in
a PTF. It indicates the readiness of the aircraft for the
replacement of the floor structures, installation of the new door
surround structures and the eventual installation of the main deck
cargo door.
"We are happy that the completion of the door cutting for the
first 767-300 BCF is ahead of production schedule. It demonstrates
ST Aerospace's commitment to delivering a quality product to Boeing
in an efficient manner." said TAY Kok Khiang, President, ST
Aerospace, "We are honored with the confidence Boeing has placed in
us. With the experience gained from the other conversion programs,
we will continue to leverage on our engineering capabilities,
excellent quality and fast turnaround time, to bring even greater
value to Boeing and its customers worldwide."
Earlier in March this year, ST Aerospace, through SASCO, was
selected by Boeing to perform PTF conversions under the 767-300 BCF
program. ST Aerospace is a part of Boeing's international network
of modification facilities, and was selected as the conversion
center for 767-300 BCF based on its performance. Since 1992, ST
Aerospace's facilities in Singapore and the US have been actively
involved in performing PTF conversions for aircraft including the
DC-10, MD-10 BCF, MD-11 BCF, 727 and 757-200 Special Freighter.
A 767-300 passenger aircraft undergoes major modifications on
its main deck, with the converted 767-300 BCF expected to have
about the same cargo capability as the same model production
freighter with approximately 50 tonnes structural payload at a
range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles and 412,000 lbs maximum
take off weight. There are 24 pallet positions on the main
deck.