AirCanada014 From Canada, joined Oct 2005, 1492 posts, RR: 0 Posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2595 times:
Hello all
I was wondering is it possible to convert 777-300ER to combi version?. I understand the weight issue will be heavier, I know the range will be shorter and it will burn more fuel. Just for the sake of it can it do it? It will carry additional cargo just like the ex AC 747-400 combi.
LTU932 From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 13864 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2588 times:
It can be done. Only problem is whether the FAA is willing to certify it. I recall the FAA has beefed up the regulations regarding the certification of combis. Except for those that have already been fully certified, new Combis would require a fixed wall that separates cargo from passengers, which would take away some flexibility from combi operators.
DfwRevolution From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2550 times:
Quoting LTU932 (Reply 1): It can be done. Only problem is whether the FAA is willing to certify it.
The FAA will only certify an aircraft that a fixed and solid barrier between human and freight cargo on the same deck. This is to ensure adaquet fire and materials safety.
Problems being (1) finding a customer who wants a combi that bad to jump through the necessary hoops, (2) the solid partition mitigates some of the flexibility and alure of combi aircraft.
N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 6222 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2502 times:
Quoting AirCanada014 (Reply 4): Here's the link to the picture of AC's 747-400 Combi. sorry can't understand how to put pictures up but i know how to put a link to it.
Tod From Denmark, joined Aug 2004, 1682 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 2444 times:
Retrofitting a rigid cargo barrier probably isn't the biggest challenge. Modifying the carbon fiber floor beams would be an issue. Most likely, they would need to be completely replaced in the combi zone, because Boeing won't support any modifications to them. Eventually it get to a point where you might as well buy a new plane.
Pictues From Canada, joined Nov 2004, 246 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 2415 times:
Quoting LTU932 (Reply 1): It can be done. Only problem is whether the FAA is willing to certify it. I recall the FAA has beefed up the regulations regarding the certification of combis. Except for those that have already been fully certified, new Combis would require a fixed wall that separates cargo from passengers, which would take away some flexibility from combi operators.
Actually that is quite correct, Air Canada's B747-400 Combis were permenent combis as they had fixxed barriers and beefed up floors. AC could not change from full pax to combi, it was a fixed combi. This caused the plane to burn more fuel then other combi B744's and pax B744's.
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