lightsaber wrote:They completed the critical design review. That is a milestone.
...
This is progress.
Lightsaber
respects to IAI's ambition and progress
747classic wrote:The wear and tear of all converted airframes will increase , because the operational weights (in this case MZFW and MLW) will be increased and during P-F conversion not all (internal) structural parts can or will (due costs) be replaced or reinforced.
thank you. this application and its effects are under-discussed and less-understood; makes one wonder how it is compounded on a larger and longer cylinder. Fairly courageous to reverse engineer and get independently certified. One would also wonder if they have gov't express or implied backing to take all of the above risks/time.
painting the b773*f sandboxThinking in terms of a market 'universe' and every new or converted offering being a discrete point. The utility of an airframe covers an area radiating out from that discrete point. Where the utility of two frames overlaps becomes a competitive 'union'. (one might consider adding an additional 'range' axis to the Cargofacts graph)
Conversion and new-build production cycles have a sunrise and a twilight. Frames purchased close to the sunrise have a longer expected economic life than those purchased close twilight; technological obsolescence.
The b773er*f competes with the b778f, the a350-950 and the b772f.
The a350-950f likely connotes an a350-900 frame where the one frame longer landing gear structure of the six bogey a35J is used plus the wings and engines of the -1000. Stretching would add volume utility at the cost of density utility. Encroachment, increasing the union between the two, would favor b773ersf in the marketplace. An a350f fixating on maximizing its natural sub-universe becomes more probable. An ancillary effect is that it twilights b772f production. The sun-rising b773er*f would then compete with the a350f for b744cf replacements with airlines that primarily purchase new build planes and in the express market.
The b778f design is affected differently by the same forces. This will require improvement/re-engineering shifting along a general cargo density utility. Here the union is less pronounced as sophisticated carriers want the economics of long-term asset amortization and maximized reliability. The b773er*f conversion eats away at the express carriers and nibbles at potential smaller orders making the b778fs business case thinner. However, the frame's introduction creates a b772f used market that dilutes b773er*f sales.
__-- As freighters are not stand alone business cases, mosaics of ancillary production will motivate boardrooms to green light these projects. Airframers will likely allow/encourage airlines to convert VLA passenger orders to freighter as a means of supporting the production and supply chain.--__
One can panel cargo airlines into two groups; ones that purchase new aircraft and ones that opportunistically purchase used aircraft. Interestingly b773ersf targets the first group as the 'opportunistic' carriers have wallet or the persistence in demand challenges. The b744*cfs are replacement candidates; however, half of these are operated by the 'opportunistic' airlines.
CargoJet is scheduled to be the first crossover buyer/leasee. __--they were feasible before and now they are more feasible?.. ie within reach of more buyers?--__
Interesting is how the b773ersf will create ripples through carriers. Kallita will use the conversion to
replace b744cfs and its current/future relationship with DHL is a factor. Atlas's decision will require 'pencil sharpening' analytics and client relationship assessments. Where Fedex will likely use the b773bcf derivative for
growth. To the relief of soap box salespeople, the paper a350-950f will give airlines a choice Herr Gerber did not have. UPS and Cargolux will likely pass on the b773ersf; but not without Mr Forson using the subject for brand-awareness press opportunities.
(1)amortized-costs/time and expected life-of-aircraft is under-discussed in favor of purchase price, (2)when a completed frame rolls out of the IAI shop it will be middle aged. Maintenance costs of a carrier will mirror moving from middle age to old age. (2) 
