Prototype FF5000 Scheduled To Fly In Spring 2009
Freight Feeder Aircraft Corporation, a US business 25% owned by
Utilicraft Aerospace Industries, announced Monday it has entered
into a Letter of Intent with British cargo carrier MK Airlines for
the purchase of 10 FF5000 Freight Feeder Aircraft, with an option
to purchase an additional five.
"The Freight Feeder Aircraft could play an important role in the
future development of an air cargo industry that is already short
of competitive and cost-effective airframe capacity," said Mike
Kruger, CEO of MK Airlines. "Its use of state-of-art technology
makes the FF5000 regional container aircraft an innovative option
for us to select and MK Airlines is delighted to sign this
agreement as the first European airline to commit to this project
and to help launch the aircraft into the global market."
The LOI is a needed shot-in-the-arm for the fledgling cargo
feeder aircraft, which Utilicraft has struggled to the bring the
plane to market for several years. Predecessor American Utilicraft
patented the design for the plane in 1991.
Utilicraft's original FF-1080 was a high-wing, twin-engine
turboprop aircraft designed to carry eight fully-loaded LD3 cargo
containers for a distance of 500 nautical miles. Lighter loads can
be carried distances up to 2,000 nautical miles, although the
aircraft is primarily intended for use in the short haul feeder
role for large volume package carriers.
Earlier this year, the company announced a design change to the
FF-1080, slightly widening the cargo compartment to accommodate six
of the larger 96in x 125in "main deck" standard industry containers
and pallets. The aircraft was then renamed the FF5000.
The main appeal of such an aircraft lies in its ability to
accept a loaded cargo container off a freight operator's larger,
full-sized aircraft, without the need for breaking down that
container's contents. Currently, regional providers for companies
such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL must unload those containers, and
transfer the contents onto much smaller aircraft -- such as FedEx's
C208 Cargomaster fleet, or any number of aged piston or turboprop
planes -- for transport to outlying areas.
"We are very pleased with MK Airlines’ decision to enter
into an LOI for FF5000 aircraft for its UK cargo airline
operations, and for its commitment in helping the FF5000 come to
market in the European, and global marketplace," said John J.
Dupont, President and CEO of Freight Feeder Aircraft Corporation.
"We are looking forward to a long-term mutually beneficial
relationship with MK Airlines as one of our valuable launch
customers, as we continue to develop the FF5000 and bring it into
production."
Speaking of production, MK Airlines' purchase order will only
become finalized upon first flight of the FF5000 Prototype
currently under construction. The planned completion of the FF5000
Prototype Aircraft is in the spring of 2009.