First MD-80 Cargo Conversion
04-28-2012 | 06:42 PM
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From: A320/321 First Officer
First MD-80 Cargo Conversion
April 20th 2012
A new freighter type is about to take its first flight: At the Cargo Facts Asia event, Robert Convey, VP Sales and Marketing at AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERS Inc (AEI), reported that flight testing of the prototype AEI MD-80 converted freighter will begin in early May. He also disclosed that Alaska-based Everts Air Cargo will acquire the prototype unit (49470, ex-American Airlines) following completion of certification [FAT 000232]. In addition to Everts, AEI has firm orders for fifteen MD-80SFs from four undisclosed customers. Everts currently operates a thirteen unit freighter fleet, made up of two C-46s, eight DC-6s, one DC-9, and two EMB 120s.
Cargofacts.net
A new freighter type is about to take its first flight: At the Cargo Facts Asia event, Robert Convey, VP Sales and Marketing at AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERS Inc (AEI), reported that flight testing of the prototype AEI MD-80 converted freighter will begin in early May. He also disclosed that Alaska-based Everts Air Cargo will acquire the prototype unit (49470, ex-American Airlines) following completion of certification [FAT 000232]. In addition to Everts, AEI has firm orders for fifteen MD-80SFs from four undisclosed customers. Everts currently operates a thirteen unit freighter fleet, made up of two C-46s, eight DC-6s, one DC-9, and two EMB 120s.
Cargofacts.net
04-29-2012 | 01:01 PM
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From: Capt
The md80 is a FANTASTIC cargo plane for the smaller markets. I was flying a DC-9 freighter in Africa, and the MD would have been MUCH better, overall. Great range, decent fuel burn, good capacity, etc. It is MUCH better than a 737 freighter, and there are no other competitors in it's market segment.
About 70 -80s from Alitalia were sold to a South African company who is doing freighter conversions there.
cliff
HHN
About 70 -80s from Alitalia were sold to a South African company who is doing freighter conversions there.
cliff
HHN
04-29-2012 | 01:42 PM
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The md80 is a FANTASTIC cargo plane for the smaller markets. I was flying a DC-9 freighter in Africa, and the MD would have been MUCH better, overall. Great range, decent fuel burn, good capacity, etc. It is MUCH better than a 737 freighter, and there are no other competitors in it's market segment.
About 70 -80s from Alitalia were sold to a South African company who is doing freighter conversions there.
cliff
HHN
About 70 -80s from Alitalia were sold to a South African company who is doing freighter conversions there.
cliff
HHN
Africa West?
04-29-2012 | 02:56 PM
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From: Sr. VP of button pushing
Nines are fine if you're not going to transload pallets or cans. Since the cross section is less, you can't load AAA cans (108x125) like you would on an Eight or Seven Two, you have to use those little funky cans (96x108). I'm thinking you could used the AAA cookie sheets but you'd have to reset all the floor locks.
05-01-2012 | 08:05 PM
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From: B737 CA
The md80 is a FANTASTIC cargo plane for the smaller markets. I was flying a DC-9 freighter in Africa, and the MD would have been MUCH better, overall. Great range, decent fuel burn, good capacity, etc. It is MUCH better than a 737 freighter, and there are no other competitors in it's market segment.
About 70 -80s from Alitalia were sold to a South African company who is doing freighter conversions there.
cliff
HHN
About 70 -80s from Alitalia were sold to a South African company who is doing freighter conversions there.
cliff
HHN
The Gringo!
05-02-2012 | 05:52 AM
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From: Sr. VP of button pushing
I've flown 5 Douglas types (OK, making the Super 3 a different type is a joke) and went from the Nine to the 727. All I could think in ground school was, "What was Boeing thinking?" I love the 727 but less complicated, no. I've never had a crossfeed valve not move or an outflow valve fail to move on a Direct Cable aircraft. Because, via cable, I had my hand on the valve. Hydraulic flight controls make Boeings fly like Cadillacs but having a cable from the yoke to the tab is literally one step up from a J-3.
05-02-2012 | 12:21 PM
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From: 767A (Ret)
One former DC-9 Captain said: "I didn't want to upgrade, but in 727 school they told us about a little yellow light that comes on so you'll know if you lost an engine. I started to like the airplane right then." 
05-02-2012 | 04:28 PM
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From: MD11 Kitchen Bi*ch
I think that there was a typo there. When he says "Airbus" I think he means "SCAREBUS." The 380 is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Fortunately, Quantus and others have professional pilots in the driver's seat to handle the issues with the planes....
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