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Huck · 10-23-2008, 03:29 PM

777F Conversion Launch Tied To Demand

Sep 24, 2008
Guy Norris
(Aviation Week)

Boeing has revealed initial details of ongoing studies into freighter conversion programs for the 777-200 and -200ER, but cautions that the potential launch will be driven by market demand.

Revelations over the passenger-to-freighter conversion plans came at the recent Cargo Facts 2008 conference in Miami, and come as Boeing’s first production 777 freighter version is well into its test program, with a scheduled entry-into-service target of December with launch customer Air France.

According to preliminary data issued by the company, the Boeing converted freighter (BCF) plan would give the baseline -200 variant a payload capability of about 145,000 pounds and the -200ER a capability of about 180,000 pounds. By contrast, the 777F, which is based on the far more capable -200LR airframe, will be able to carry a 226,000-pound payload over ranges up to 4,885 nautical miles.

Dennis Floyd, VP-freighter conversions, says, “With nearly all of the MD-11 fleet either converted or committed to conversion to freighters, we see a need in the next decade for a replacement. So we’ve begun a program study for the conversion of older 777-200 and -200ER models.” Floyd adds that “we have only extremely preliminary numbers which estimate the 777-200ER Boeing Converted Freighter will carry approximately between 165,000 pounds and 180,000 pounds. Again, these are extremely preliminary estimates, and we won’t be able to announce any firm numbers until quite a bit later in the product study.”

A Boeing official adds that its current market outlook predicts that 57% of the large, widebody freighters (those over 75 tons) added to the fleet over the next 20 years will be passenger- and combi-to-freighter conversions. Talk of the 777BCF follows growing traction for Boeing in the conversion business. The first 767-300BCF was delivered to ANA in August following the success of BCF programs developed for the DC-10 and MD-11.

10-23-2008, 03:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Huck Gets Weekends Off Joined APC: Jun 2006 Position: MD11 FO Posts: 1,045	777 P-to-F (yeah baby....) *777F Conversion Launch Tied To Demand* Sep 24, 2008 Guy Norris (Aviation Week) Boeing has revealed initial details of ongoing studies into freighter conversion programs for the 777-200 and -200ER, but cautions that the potential launch will be driven by market demand. Revelations over the passenger-to-freighter conversion plans came at the recent Cargo Facts 2008 conference in Miami, and come as Boeing’s first production 777 freighter version is well into its test program, with a scheduled entry-into-service target of December with launch customer Air France. According to preliminary data issued by the company, the Boeing converted freighter (BCF) plan would give the baseline -200 variant a payload capability of about 145,000 pounds and the -200ER a capability of about 180,000 pounds. By contrast, the 777F, which is based on the far more capable -200LR airframe, will be able to carry a 226,000-pound payload over ranges up to 4,885 nautical miles. Dennis Floyd, VP-freighter conversions, says, “With nearly all of the MD-11 fleet either converted or committed to conversion to freighters, we see a need in the next decade for a replacement. So we’ve begun a program study for the conversion of older 777-200 and -200ER models.” Floyd adds that “we have only extremely preliminary numbers which estimate the 777-200ER Boeing Converted Freighter will carry approximately between 165,000 pounds and 180,000 pounds. Again, these are extremely preliminary estimates, and we won’t be able to announce any firm numbers until quite a bit later in the product study.” A Boeing official adds that its current market outlook predicts that 57% of the large, widebody freighters (those over 75 tons) added to the fleet over the next 20 years will be passenger- and combi-to-freighter conversions. Talk of the 777BCF follows growing traction for Boeing in the conversion business. The first 767-300BCF was delivered to ANA in August following the success of BCF programs developed for the DC-10 and MD-11.