Huck

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.

11Fan

Don't get too excited there yet Huck.

They need to come from somewhere and there's not a whole lot of 777's sittin around looking for work.

Surprised that the success of the 747-400BCF was not mentioned.

JetJocF14

Surprised that the success of the 747-400BCF was not mentioned.[/quote]

That would be totally wrong for us at this company as it has 4 engines.

Just look at all those companies flying freighter whales on the Hong Kong ramp.................

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11Fan

I'm not sure what you meant by that Capt'n, but maybe we are looking at it from different points-of-view. Mine is from the conversion side.

I'm work on the BCF's. Started on the MD-11, which both Purple and Brown received a lot of. We're wrapping up the last of them now (I'm sad to say) and deep into the 747-400 and 767-300, both of which are doing well. I guess that was my point.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the 777, and once the the 787 starts getting out there, this should start kicking in. That and generally around 15 years of service is the time when models are prime to cross-over and that's about where we are at with the 777

My hope is that the cargo market really takes off. Good for you, good for me, good for all of us actually.

Blue skies sir.