A320 conversions cargo (P2F)

To Freighter (P2F) converted aircraft is the only modern solution in the small freighter market segment and therefore the best freighter aircraft for the growing express market worldwide. Payload varies from 21 to 28 metric tonnes and the aircraft's range will be up to 2,100nm/3,700 km. Based on its initial design and wider fuselage section, it is possible to carry bulk or containerized freight in the belly holds, which is a unique feature in this market segment, delivering more loading flexibility. In addition, the A320/A321P2F will be the most environmental friendly freighter aircraft in the world with unmatched reductions of fuel-burn, emissions and noise. The first conversion will be ready in 2011, start of serial production will be in early 2012. By 2016 the annual production is expected to reach 37 aircraft.

Fuerst says the on-ramp cost of an A320PTF is now $9 million to $11 million, including $4.5 million for the conversion and $4.5 million to $6.5 million for the aircraft itself. Fuerst says the feedstock price is down "at least a few million" compared to when the A320PTF programme was launched.

EADS's specialist modification division EFW has received its first Airbus A320, from AerCap, at its site in Dresden ahead of the twinjet's passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion.
The prototype aircraft, serial number 211, is equipped with CFM International CFM56 engines. It was built in 1991 and operated as a passenger aircraft with carriers including Air France and Tunisair, accumulating 35,000h.
EADS EFW says the aircraft is being stored and will undergo design and fuel tests over the next few months.
It will undergo initial conversion work in November. The aircraft is the first of up to 30 A320 conversions disclosed by AerCap and Airbus Freighter Conversion in 2008.
"Early delivery of the prototype will support the engineering teams to prepare the first P2F of a fly-by-wire aircraft," says Airbus
AerCap said last October that it had placed the first three converted Airbus A320 freighters with West Atlantic. The European cargo operator will become launch operator for the A320P2F conversion by taking an initial three aircraft on lease from AerCap with deliveries between 2012 and mid-2013, with the option of a further four aircraft by 2015.

Communiqué a écrit:PacAvi Group Announces Airbus A320 and A321 Freighter Conversion Program

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PacAvi Group, Inc. (pacavi.com) announced today that it is spearheading a new program for conversions of Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 aircraft from passenger-to-freighter configuration.

PacAvi Group CEO, Dr. Stephan Hollmann, commented on the project: "We view this as an exciting opportunity.  There are currently about 600 freighters of the size category of the A320 and A321 operating globally, and this market is set to grow rapidly in the BRIC countries and around the world. Right now the only products of similar capacity are from Boeing. We look forward to the opportunity to provide Airbus operators and others technologically advanced freighters at highly competitive price points."

PacAvi Group will be joined in this program by AeroTurbine, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AerCap, one of the world's largest aircraft leasing companies.  AeroTurbine will perform freighter conversions at its Goodyear, Arizona facility, where it currently conducts passenger to freighter conversions for other aircraft as well as aircraft MRO services for Airbus A320 aircraft. The AdviseAer arm of AeroTurbine will also participate in the program and will provide comprehensive aircraft management services. AeroTurbine and AdviseAer are headquartered in Miramar, Florida.

Garry Failler, Chief Operating Officer of AeroTurbine, added: "This is an excellent growth opportunity for Goodyear, which has extensive experience in passenger to freighter conversions.  AeroTurbine as a whole has more than tripled in size in recent years, and converting A320's and A321's expands our product offerings considerably.  We're very experienced on the Airbus product line as well and have carried out more than 200 aircraft heavy maintenance checks on the A320 alone."  Commercial deliveries are said to begin in 2017 or earlier.

Matt Schneider, who runs AdviseAer, added: "We started AdviseAer this year to provide comprehensive aircraft management services, including record keeping and other IT services, as well as optimizing airframe and engine maintenance services.  We will source aircraft for acquisition by PacAvi that are currently operating as passenger aircraft, and put them into the AdviseAer program.  These aircraft will become PacAvi's feedstock for freighter conversions in future years."

When asked about a prior Airbus program for A320 and A321 freighter conversions that was terminated several years ago, Dr. Hollmann commented: "Airbus said that it canceled that program to focus on its main business, manufacturing new aircraft, and demand has only increased since then.  Passenger to freighter conversions is very much a niche business, and our key people have excellent track records in previous successful Airbus passenger to freighter conversion programs."

Dr. Hollmann added: "We are great admirers of Airbus and its products and management, and have been since the days when I worked there at a predecessor company.  That said, our project is not dependent on Airbus.  All of the information required in order to get the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) is publicly available.  We are in close collaboration with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) on the technical requirements for the STC development and they are extremely helpful. We encourage cargo carriers and others with an interest to have a discussion with us.  Of course we will see many of our friends and potential customers at the Cargo Facts Symposium 2014 in Miami Beach next month, and we will discuss more about our industrial partners and customers in the run-up to Cargo Facts."

Admin a écrit:Y a une newsletter de Leeham cette semaine qui dit que c'est couteux et que ça ne se ferait probablement pas.
Etonnant
Il y a effectivement des sondes d'incidence à l'endroit où la porte cargo est généralement implantée...

Laurent Simon a écrit:De plus, pour la question des paquettistes utilisant des WB, comment font ils actuellement pour transborder vers des monocouloirs F (737 j'imagine, ou 757) ? quels conteneurs ?