Air Cargo (non-Amazon/DHL) Thread - 2021

wjcandee · Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:06 am

jbs2886 wrote:
I saw that news yesterday and was curious what was happening. He is only "interim" CEO, but if he is having issues giving up control that "interim" term could be a while. I'm sure the outgoing CEO will take his ambition to someone who may bankroll it (hopefully).

I think that's absolutely going to be true. And the guy's niche is cargo. Which means that the nitwits in the boardroom at Amerijet just bought themselves a powerful new competitor. Great. Soooo smart.

wjcandee · Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:08 am

TriniA340 wrote:

Yeah, nice job by all here, keeping this thread friendly! I check it every morning as well

I do, too. It's really an Oasis in the sea of A.net, and I appreciate how everyone is so nice and willing to share cool details!

wjcandee · Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:15 am

CX747 wrote:
On another front, I'd love to see what a six month lease on an A321P2F runs you in comparison to a DC-8F. As I ask that question a thought occurred to me. Is this the first time the following sentence has ever been written? A321P2F to be replaced by a DC-8F.

And since these are wet leases, the total-cost consideration is interesting. Even with 3 in the cockpit, Skybus's labor cost has to be at least competitive if not better. Certainly hull-loss insurance has to be competitive or cheaper. Fuel is an issue, but how much, really, on these shorter legs? If Skybus can keep these gals running reliably at a controllable maintenance cost, then things look pretty-good. Given that Skybus doubtless really wants the business, I can't see them being greedy in markup over their total cost. Some carriers of course are concerned about Green appearance, but that's probably not on the front burner for anybody involved here.

We can hope...

DLNZ · Wed Sep 15, 2021 7:06 am

RoyalBrunei757 wrote:
CX747 wrote:
wjcandee wrote:

Another big jet moved for the owners by our friends at Jet Test and Transport.

I believe that Terra Avia's ER-BAC sacrificed some of its engine cowlings to assist N27063's resurrection. CGK and GMF have just been the go to facility for quite some time now with 747 resurrection and maintenance work. Good for that outfit to make a tidy profit and continue to build and expand their tribal knowledge on all things 747.

Yes indeed, it is great to see there are still a MRO company that pays attention for those aircraft from bygone era. GMF Aero is well known for providing MRO services for many forgotten aircraft type, B747 Classics, DC-10, B737 Classics. That actually explains all those parked Classics at CGK for past two decades, this might end soon as CGK authority plans to clear up those mess soon.

On a side note, Aerotranscargo B747-433BDSF ER-BBB also flew in the same day as N27063 from Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan. She just past her 30th birthday on August 30th!
https://www.facebook.com/stam.aviation/ ... 1598199909 Credit: STam Aviation

There is a whole swag of jumbos of all generations currently in MX at GMF. Additonal to the above is Geosky's 742F 4L-GEO (since 8/30 and hopefully for a matching livery to join her sistership), as well as Transaviaexport's 743F EW-465TQ, since 7/27. What a line up.

Our friends at Aerostan are currently in Latin America, with ship -01 having arrived at CCS yesterday operating FRU-WUH-KHI-CAI-CMN-SID-CCS over the past couple days.
Ship -02 had been operating between Macau, SHJ and Pakistan the past week or so, but has operated KHI-JED-ACC and on to points west across the Atlantic. Nice to see these birds busy.

Cardude2 · Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:31 pm

LifelinerOne wrote:
CMA CGM is set to expand its air cargo business by creating an own AOC-airline at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Should launch with B777F in January....

https://www.scramble.nl/civil-news/cma- ... o-business

Cheers!

I wonder where they will get these cargo 777's

jbs2886 · Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:39 pm

Cardude2 wrote:
LifelinerOne wrote:
CMA CGM is set to expand its air cargo business by creating an own AOC-airline at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Should launch with B777F in January....

https://www.scramble.nl/civil-news/cma- ... o-business

Cheers!

I wonder where they will get these cargo 777's

Million dollar question definitely. Won't be conversions (unless they do preighter). Maybe EK will end leases/let them expire on some more 777Fs or perhaps they are the order 10 Boeing just recorded and got very fast delivery.

tofen · Wed Sep 15, 2021 9:02 pm

Cardude2 wrote:
LifelinerOne wrote:
CMA CGM is set to expand its air cargo business by creating an own AOC-airline at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Should launch with B777F in January....

https://www.scramble.nl/civil-news/cma- ... o-business

Cheers!

I wonder where they will get these cargo 777's

Considering the location, I wouldn't be surprised if this is AF getting out of the freighter business. They only have two dedicated freighter 777s which has always seemed odd to me.
I could see the two French companies cooperating in the air freight space in the future.

FlyMKG · Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:47 pm

Amerijets staffing issues are entirely due to pay and the general nature of their business. If you don't live in SE Florida, there is absolutely no reason to work there. Many other airlines do the exact same style of work with better pay and work rules.

CX747 · Thu Sep 16, 2021 1:31 am

DLNZ wrote:
RoyalBrunei757 wrote:
CX747 wrote:

I believe that Terra Avia's ER-BAC sacrificed some of its engine cowlings to assist N27063's resurrection. CGK and GMF have just been the go to facility for quite some time now with 747 resurrection and maintenance work. Good for that outfit to make a tidy profit and continue to build and expand their tribal knowledge on all things 747.

Yes indeed, it is great to see there are still a MRO company that pays attention for those aircraft from bygone era. GMF Aero is well known for providing MRO services for many forgotten aircraft type, B747 Classics, DC-10, B737 Classics. That actually explains all those parked Classics at CGK for past two decades, this might end soon as CGK authority plans to clear up those mess soon.

On a side note, Aerotranscargo B747-433BDSF ER-BBB also flew in the same day as N27063 from Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan. She just past her 30th birthday on August 30th!
https://www.facebook.com/stam.aviation/ ... 1598199909 Credit: STam Aviation

There is a whole swag of jumbos of all generations currently in MX at GMF. Additonal to the above is Geosky's 742F 4L-GEO (since 8/30 and hopefully for a matching livery to join her sistership), as well as Transaviaexport's 743F EW-465TQ, since 7/27. What a line up.

Our friends at Aerostan are currently in Latin America, with ship -01 having arrived at CCS yesterday operating FRU-WUH-KHI-CAI-CMN-SID-CCS over the past couple days.
Ship -02 had been operating between Macau, SHJ and Pakistan the past week or so, but has operated KHI-JED-ACC and on to points west across the Atlantic. Nice to see these birds busy.

GMF is well positioned and if you look at the numbers is taking care of a good sized 747 fleet. What can Brown do for you, operates 13 747-400Fs. If we put together Aerotranscargo (9), GeoSky (2) and TerraAvia (1), we have 12 airframes. If it was reported that an MRO facility won the contract to take care of UPS's 747-400Fs, that would be applauded. GMF is basically doing that with a few carriers!!!

DLNZ · Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:40 am

CX747 wrote:
GMF is well positioned and if you look at the numbers is taking care of a good sized 747 fleet. What can Brown do for you, operates 13 747-400Fs. If we put together Aerotranscargo (9), GeoSky (2) and TerraAvia (1), we have 12 airframes. If it was reported that an MRO facility won the contract to take care of UPS's 747-400Fs, that would be applauded. GMF is basically doing that with a few carriers!!!

Absolutely, they have become the go-to for many of our favourite operators. When you throw in Transaviaexport and the work they did on ER-BAC and others last year, it's very diverse.

In other jumbo news, Mesk Air have taken delivery of the now 9H-MSK, ex-N282JM. ex-Saudia/Air Atlanta Icelandic, originally built for MH. Will be another good one to follow.

wjcandee · Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:08 am

RE: GMF AeroAsia: Don't forget KLM, although I guess they're down to 3 744s (operated by Martinair).

747classic · Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:43 am

wjcandee wrote:
RE: GMF AeroAsia: Don't forget KLM, although I guess they're down to 3 744s (operated by Martinair).

Four MP operated 744 aircraft,
KL 747-406ERF (GE) : PH-CKA, -CKB and -CKC
MP 747-412BCF (PW) : PH-MPS

RoyalBrunei757 · Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:01 am

DLNZ wrote:
CX747 wrote:
GMF is well positioned and if you look at the numbers is taking care of a good sized 747 fleet. What can Brown do for you, operates 13 747-400Fs. If we put together Aerotranscargo (9), GeoSky (2) and TerraAvia (1), we have 12 airframes. If it was reported that an MRO facility won the contract to take care of UPS's 747-400Fs, that would be applauded. GMF is basically doing that with a few carriers!!!

Absolutely, they have become the go-to for many of our favourite operators. When you throw in Transaviaexport and the work they did on ER-BAC and others last year, it's very diverse.

In other jumbo news, Mesk Air have taken delivery of the now 9H-MSK, ex-N282JM. ex-Saudia/Air Atlanta Icelandic, originally built for MH. Will be another good one to follow.

Brilliant input by both of you. THANK YOU!

I still find it surprising all these 747 Classics outlived many of their newer and more technologically advanced siblings. Man, some B744 barely move past their 15th year birthday, these guys are pushing 35 years old!!

Great to see another B744 BDSF taking off again, 9H-MSK was in storage for sometime. Again another survivor!

Spacepope · Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:32 pm

Just a new high LN for B738 P2F conversion: LN 4139 formerly of Spicejet has completed conversion.

wjcandee · Sat Sep 18, 2021 1:27 am

Just a note on 744BDSF 9H-MSK. They repainted her before sending her to IST. We were wondering what was up with her while she was stored/being-worked-on at MCI (for over 4 years).

There's a photo of her on another major photo site, in her new simple-but-professional livery. She looks really nice.

aristoenigma · Sat Sep 18, 2021 3:57 am

Is the 1981 742F that shows for sale at controller.com in current operation? Is it identifiable from the single partial picture? Thanks in advance.

https://media.sandhills.com/img.axd?id= ... R403D7U%3d

eamondzhang · Sat Sep 18, 2021 5:47 am

aristoenigma wrote:
Is the 1981 742F that shows for sale at controller.com in current operation? Is it identifiable from the single partial picture? Thanks in advance.

https://media.sandhills.com/img.axd?id= ... R403D7U%3d

Looks like ex-JA8937 currently ER-BAU with FlyPro: https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/ ... pro/endmo3

Quite evidently the JAL logo was photoshopped in the shot provided

Hence the #937 on its front wheel door

Michael

pspfan · Sat Sep 18, 2021 5:51 am

aristoenigma wrote:
Is the 1981 742F that shows for sale at controller.com in current operation? Is it identifiable from the single partial picture? Thanks in advance.

https://media.sandhills.com/img.axd?id= ... R403D7U%3d

The aircraft in this picture (AMS) is N708CK of Kalitta. Stored since 2013. The CARGO titles are from the former operator Tradewinds.

wjcandee · Sat Sep 18, 2021 6:24 am

pspfan wrote:
aristoenigma wrote:
Is the 1981 742F that shows for sale at controller.com in current operation? Is it identifiable from the single partial picture? Thanks in advance.

https://media.sandhills.com/img.axd?id= ... R403D7U%3d

The aircraft in this picture (AMS) is N708CK of Kalitta. Stored since 2013. The CARGO titles are from the former operator Tradewinds.

Interesting. The photos I can find of the N708CK that's a 742 (there's a 744 with the same reg now) seem to have "708" on the nosewheel door.

If you look, however, at what is now ER-BAU but was at one point JA8937 (originally JA8151), it had, at the time it was with JAL, the number 937 on the nosewheel door. It also had a JAL Cargo livery on it, which looks almost-identical to the photo in the link except, as the poster above points out, the JAL part is photoshopped out. It matches pretty-perfectly if you pull up a photo of JA8937.

It's also an old photo, because the nosewheel door labelling changed after the plane left JAL. In other words, whatever is up on controller.com isn't an actual current photo of the aircraft.

I haven't looked for movement of ER-BAU on adsbexchange, which one sometimes has to do with these birds, but nothing shows on fr24, and the last thing shown on Flightaware is part of a trip in 2017.

aristoenigma · Sat Sep 18, 2021 6:52 am

I think it might be registration ER-BAR. Started out at Alitalia in 1981 and now at FLY PRO. A BOEING 747-243F and the photos on Planespotters are a match?

747classic · Sat Sep 18, 2021 7:56 am

aristoenigma wrote:
Is the 1981 742F that shows for sale at controller.com in current operation? Is it identifiable from the single partial picture? Thanks in advance.

https://media.sandhills.com/img.axd?id= ... R403D7U%3d

AFAIK only five (5) factory built 747-200F's were delivered in 1981, in 2021 only two aircraft have survived :

From my 747 archive :

L/N 494, C/N 22477, B747-246F, JA8151, del : 81-04-15, basic number R6126, variable number RR264, JAL, stored, ER-BAU, FLY PRO
L/N 545, C/N 22545, B747-243F, I-DEMR, del : 81-12-18, basic number R6130, variable number RR561, Alitalia, active ER-BAR , FLY PRO

L/N 520, C/N 22486, B747-2B5F, HL7459, del : 81-05-08, basic number R6127, variable number RR023, KAL, scrapped
L/N 535, C/N 22678, B747-228F, N4508E, del : 81-09-11, basic number R6128, variable number RR305, Air France, scrapped
L/N 538, C/N 22668,,B747-230F, D-ABYU, del : 81-09-04, basic number R6129, variable number RR203, Lufthansa, scrapped.

The picture , with 937 at the nose door, is most probably L/N 494, re-registered with JAL as JA8937 between 11 Jan 1999 and 14 Mar 2008

wjcandee · Sat Sep 18, 2021 9:03 am

wjcandee wrote:

If you look, however, at what is now ER-BAU but was at one point JA8937 (originally JA8151), it had, at the time it was with JAL, the number 937 on the nosewheel door. It also had a JAL Cargo livery on it, which looks almost-identical to the photo in the link except, as the poster above points out, the JAL part is photoshopped out. It matches pretty-perfectly if you pull up a photo of JA8937.

aristoenigma · Sat Sep 18, 2021 5:29 pm

Thanks for the help. I forgot that the seller in the Controller ad photoshops a lot.

CX747 · Sun Sep 19, 2021 12:43 am

Factory built, nose loading, 747-200F. Fresh out of a D check and with plenty of life left. It really shouldn't sit that long in today's market if it is in decent condition.

To my fellow contributors here, if we pool our money, we could buy this diamond in the rough. Plenty of people screaming for lift and there is a fortune to be made. Optimal usage would be a trans-Atlantic run from the US to the UK and EU. Keeps the hours lower than trans-Pacific hauls. Increases cycles but we are fine there. Extra fuel burn is not as bad due to shorter sectors. When in need of maintenance...right into GMF.

aristoenigma · Sun Sep 19, 2021 5:57 pm

aristoenigma wrote:
Thanks for the help. I forgot that the seller in the Controller ad photoshops a lot.

https://media.sandhills.com/img.axd?id= ... gJnzTxY%3d

Is this photo a real lower cargo door or a photoshop? Do the dimensions look right?The seller on Controller.com is now pushing the belly cargo capacity of a 748 and eased up on the practicality of full conversion?

DLNZ · Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:16 am

wjcandee wrote:
Just a note on 744BDSF 9H-MSK. They repainted her before sending her to IST. We were wondering what was up with her while she was stored/being-worked-on at MCI (for over 4 years).

There's a photo of her on another major photo site, in her new simple-but-professional livery. She looks really nice.

Yes I saw that also, fine looking bird. She hasn't appeared on FR24 as yet, and still looks to be resting in Istanbul, so lets hope she is up and running soon.

An enjoyable discussion about ER-BAU, one of the near invisible ones alongside her sisterships ER-BAT & ER-BAR. I imagine she will be in hot demand, a capable machine even at forty years young. I often see BAR & BAT pop up on tracking sites around the Stans, subcontinent and Africa, while not under their regos or a callsign, just as unidentified 742Fs (-281F and 243F), so it's relatively easy to work out who they are. Can we launch a petition to the new owner that they just must allow her to be visible to those of us with a penchant for classic jumbos

wjcandee · Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:40 am

DLNZ wrote:
I often see BAR & BAT pop up on tracking sites around the Stans, subcontinent and Africa, while not under their regos or a callsign, just as unidentified 742Fs (-281F and 243F), so it's relatively easy to work out who they are. Can we launch a petition to the new owner that they just must allow her to be visible to those of us with a penchant for classic jumbos

Thanks for that tidbit!! Good to know they're flying. I did some checks on adsbexchange a while back, and did see some snippets of flights, so I knew they were flying, but it's work to find them. Your way is probably better.

747classic · Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:20 am

wjcandee wrote:
Just a note on 744BDSF 9H-MSK. They repainted her before sending her to IST. We were wondering what was up with her while she was stored/being-worked-on at MCI (for over 4 years).

There's a photo of her on another major photo site, in her new simple-but-professional livery. She looks really nice.

Here is a picture of 9H-MSK, already repainted, but still without registration at MCI, in front of the Jet Midwest hangar, dated October 2020 !

Original uploaded by Andreas Mowinckel, see : https://twitter.com/boardingpassro/stat ... 61?lang=da

TUGMASTER · Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:23 am

DLNZ wrote:
wjcandee wrote:
Just a note on 744BDSF 9H-MSK. They repainted her before sending her to IST. We were wondering what was up with her while she was stored/being-worked-on at MCI (for over 4 years).

There's a photo of her on another major photo site, in her new simple-but-professional livery. She looks really nice.

Yes I saw that also, fine looking bird. She hasn't appeared on FR24 as yet, and still looks to be resting in Istanbul, so lets hope she is up and running soon.

An enjoyable discussion about ER-BAU, one of the near invisible ones alongside her sisterships ER-BAT & ER-BAR. I imagine she will be in hot demand, a capable machine even at forty years young. I often see BAR & BAT pop up on tracking sites around the Stans, subcontinent and Africa, while not under their regos or a callsign, just as unidentified 742Fs (-281F and 243F), so it's relatively easy to work out who they are. Can we launch a petition to the new owner that they just must allow her to be visible to those of us with a penchant for classic jumbos

The 281, was coming out of South America this morning , EZE maybe, heading NE, probably Sal.

eightcone · Mon Sep 20, 2021 9:06 pm

Weekend update from DHN on our flock of cargo conversions.

First, newfound respect for spotters. There is a definite learning curve in both tactics and equipment. I'm not a photography nerd and don't plan on getting a big camera, but my 8x power binos didn't do the job so I've ordered a better set. As I was patrolling the perimeter fence in frustration trying to find angles to see, I contemplated that it would be easier to simply fly a Cessna in to get a better view from a taxiway.

With that, this trip around I can confirm 6 Maddogs sitting around. 3 on the tarmac, 1 in the big hanger, 1 in a small hanger, N833US in a medium hanger.

Based on RoyalBrunei757's compiled list, I can account for 5 of these 6 738s plus the 734 (N102FF)

[Regent Airways tails, one is in the big hanger nose to nose with the Ukraine tail, the other is on the tarmac sans engines]
2. 28639 772 Boeing 737-86N(SF)(WL) N539RL GECAS at DHN June 2021 for conversion
20. 30704 1985 Boeing 737-8Q8(WL) N705BR BlackRock std at DHN 5 May 2021 for conversion

[Ukraine tail, in the big hanger, reg confirmed]
5. 29040 465 Boeing 737-85R(WL) N290BR BlackRock at DHN July 2, 2021 for conversion for conversion

[iAero tail, appears to be completed and painted, had a running GPU next it, reg confirmed]
7. 29916 210 Boeing 737-8AS(SF)(WL) N916BR BlackRock at DHN June 4, 2021 for conversion

[Should be N616AJ now, however, no sight of it]
33. 28616 483 Boeing 737-86N LZ-GNJ GA Telesis ferried 14-15aug21 LDE-KEF-BGR-DHN, for freighter conversion ex TC-SNZ

[Anadolu Jet tail, on tarmac sans engines, confirmed]
34. 28628 573 Boeing 737-86N N245GE GECAS ferried 13-14aug21 LDE-KEF-BGR-DHN, for freighter conversion ex TC-SBZ

---

N102FF had its cowlings open today. Coincidence I think based on hanger location, but there was a semi next to it with two (presumably) engines either being loaded or unloaded.

There was also a Avianca A32x with activity around it, I presume regular MRO work. Impossible to get an angle to see the reg or the overwing exit config, but I would guess A320 based on length.

Bonus peak in a hanger, N444HE

Have a great week y'all.

gdavis003 · Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:15 am

So, this is an interesting one. Former Belavia 737-300, aptly registered N73730 (nice one) to CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing, is en route to places eastbound. It flew MZJ-YQX-PIK and is en route out of the UK now to places further east. I noticed it on skyliner so decided to do some further investigation, and I came across this link (https://www.aircraft.com/aircraft/20594 ... g-737-300f), which would suggest that this 737 classic was converted at MZJ, as it never left MZJ, from what I can tell, after retiring from service with Belavia in 2020. If this link is correct, which albeit it does seem a bit phishy, that's something that I didn't know could be done by the folks at Pinal

gdavis003 · Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:18 am

eightcone wrote:
Weekend update from DHN on our flock of cargo conversions.

First, newfound respect for spotters. There is a definite learning curve in both tactics and equipment. I'm not a photography nerd and don't plan on getting a big camera, but my 8x power binos didn't do the job so I've ordered a better set. As I was patrolling the perimeter fence in frustration trying to find angles to see, I contemplated that it would be easier to simply fly a Cessna in to get a better view from a taxiway.

With that, this trip around I can confirm 6 Maddogs sitting around. 3 on the tarmac, 1 in the big hanger, 1 in a small hanger, N833US in a medium hanger.

Based on RoyalBrunei757's compiled list, I can account for 5 of these 6 738s plus the 734 (N102FF)

[Regent Airways tails, one is in the big hanger nose to nose with the Ukraine tail, the other is on the tarmac sans engines]
2. 28639 772 Boeing 737-86N(SF)(WL) N539RL GECAS at DHN June 2021 for conversion
20. 30704 1985 Boeing 737-8Q8(WL) N705BR BlackRock std at DHN 5 May 2021 for conversion

[Ukraine tail, in the big hanger, reg confirmed]
5. 29040 465 Boeing 737-85R(WL) N290BR BlackRock at DHN July 2, 2021 for conversion for conversion

[iAero tail, appears to be completed and painted, had a running GPU next it, reg confirmed]
7. 29916 210 Boeing 737-8AS(SF)(WL) N916BR BlackRock at DHN June 4, 2021 for conversion

[Should be N616AJ now, however, no sight of it]
33. 28616 483 Boeing 737-86N LZ-GNJ GA Telesis ferried 14-15aug21 LDE-KEF-BGR-DHN, for freighter conversion ex TC-SNZ

[Anadolu Jet tail, on tarmac sans engines, confirmed]
34. 28628 573 Boeing 737-86N N245GE GECAS ferried 13-14aug21 LDE-KEF-BGR-DHN, for freighter conversion ex TC-SBZ

---

N102FF had its cowlings open today. Coincidence I think based on hanger location, but there was a semi next to it with two (presumably) engines either being loaded or unloaded.

There was also a Avianca A32x with activity around it, I presume regular MRO work. Impossible to get an angle to see the reg or the overwing exit config, but I would guess A320 based on length.

Bonus peak in a hanger, N444HE

Have a great week y'all.

Thanks for this. Will have to stop by there myself next time that I'm on the way to the Panhandle. Although Dothan gets a bad rap sometimes amongst Alabamians, this is a really cool gem in Dothan, and it looks like Commercial Jet is doing one heck of a job right now.

Did not know that N444HE was at DHN, the old private 737 for the Orlando Magic. I do wonder if it's being converted, haven't seen any news on it, so I wonder how long it's been there, as it's not trackable on FlightAware. Might dig through the ADS-B exchange history tomorrow to see what I can find on its activity.

wjcandee · Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:54 am

gdavis003 wrote:
Did not know that N444HE was at DHN, the old private 737 for the Orlando Magic. I do wonder if it's being converted, haven't seen any news on it, so I wonder how long it's been there, as it's not trackable on FlightAware. Might dig through the ADS-B exchange history tomorrow to see what I can find on its activity.

I thought he was saying that it was there for maintenance. Seems like it's currently-registered to the marketing director of one of the LV casinos. There's a video of some folks plainly out of their depth being flown on it to Vegas, likely a roller and his kids, presumably to spend lots of $$.

RoyalBrunei757 · Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:49 am

eightcone wrote:
Weekend update from DHN on our flock of cargo conversions.

There was also a Avianca A32x with activity around it, I presume regular MRO work. Impossible to get an angle to see the reg or the overwing exit config, but I would guess A320 based on length.

The A320 you saw was one of the 18 pre-used A320ceos Avianca Group currently inducting into their fleet. MSN 8519 is previously with Viva Air Colombia HK-5273
Airbus A320-214 MSN 8519 HK-5273 Avianca Colombia Ferried 31 Aug21 MZJ-DHN, VQ-reg prior delivery ex VQ-BPC
Source: skyliner-aviation.de

wjcandee · Tue Sep 21, 2021 1:38 pm

Did a routine Western Global check. So interesting how quickly it can all go sideways

MD11:
411SN Broken ANC since 8/27 (almost 4 weeks).
412SN Fedex
415JN At LAX for 6 days following ferry from ORD.
512JN At TPE for maintenance since 7/17 (2+ months)
513SN Asia flying
581JN Military flying.
799JN Asia flying
542KD Fedex
543JN SHV since 9/11
545JN SHV since 9/8
546JN LAX since 9/11 after air return

So 2 aircraft broken, 1 more probably-broken, 2 at SHV, 1 at TPE.
Six aircraft not flying. FIve aircraft flying.

747:
344KD is at SHV since 9/19. Hopefully just a quick check.
The other two, 356KD and 258SN, are flying.
452SN is still getting prepped for service at TPE.

FlapOperator · Tue Sep 21, 2021 1:53 pm

wjcandee wrote:
Did a routine Western Global check. So interesting how quickly it can all go sideways

MD11:
411SN Broken ANC since 8/27 (almost 4 weeks).
412SN Fedex
415JN At LAX for 6 days following ferry from ORD.
512JN At TPE for maintenance since 7/17 (2+ months)
513SN Asia flying
581JN Military flying.
799JN Asia flying
542KD Fedex
543JN SHV since 9/11
545JN SHV since 9/8
546JN LAX since 9/11 after air return

So 2 aircraft broken, 1 more probably-broken, 2 at SHV, 1 at TPE.
Six aircraft not flying. FIve aircraft flying.

747:
344KD is at SHV since 9/19. Hopefully just a quick check.
The other two, 356KD and 258SN, are flying.
452SN is still getting prepped for service at TPE.

Honestly, WGA needs to think about a future without the MD-11. There is just a huge amount of drag of so many airplanes on the property not making money.

Its the airline equivalent of "nothing more expensive than a 'free' airplane."

Spacepope · Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:16 pm

FlapOperator wrote:
wjcandee wrote:
Did a routine Western Global check. So interesting how quickly it can all go sideways

MD11:
411SN Broken ANC since 8/27 (almost 4 weeks).
412SN Fedex
415JN At LAX for 6 days following ferry from ORD.
512JN At TPE for maintenance since 7/17 (2+ months)
513SN Asia flying
581JN Military flying.
799JN Asia flying
542KD Fedex
543JN SHV since 9/11
545JN SHV since 9/8
546JN LAX since 9/11 after air return

So 2 aircraft broken, 1 more probably-broken, 2 at SHV, 1 at TPE.
Six aircraft not flying. FIve aircraft flying.

747:
344KD is at SHV since 9/19. Hopefully just a quick check.
The other two, 356KD and 258SN, are flying.
452SN is still getting prepped for service at TPE.

Honestly, WGA needs to think about a future without the MD-11. There is just a huge amount of drag of so many airplanes on the property not making money.

Its the airline equivalent of "nothing more expensive than a 'free' airplane."

Couterpoint: Since it is WGA, would things be any different with any other type? if they were converted 767s or A330s, would half of that type be stuck on the ground for myriad reasons too? I don't think it's a symptom of the fleet type (indeed, FX and UPS seem to be operating the former LH that they got into their fleets without a hitch) and more a symptom of how WGA runs things.

FlapOperator · Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:30 pm

Spacepope wrote:
[

Couterpoint: Since it is WGA, would things be any different with any other type? if they were converted 767s or A330s, would half of that type be stuck on the ground for myriad reasons too? I don't think it's a symptom of the fleet type (indeed, FX and UPS seem to be operating the former LH that they got into their fleets without a hitch) and more a symptom of how WGA runs things.

Well, Fedex and UPS can easily bid WGA out of the quality airframes, and the remaining low-density/high-demand rotable parts on the market.

Running vintage aircraft with limited OEM support is an expensive game, in the best case scenarios. The youngest MD-11s are soon to be legal for buying beer. Fedex and UPS will happily spend the money to conform/update a -11...WGA likely is just in the "keeping basic airframe airworthy" game. I doubt the WGA -11s have HUDs, aftermarket fire suppression systems, etc.

This isn't to excuse whatever issues are internal to WGA. I don't know anyone who works there, but ACMIs of that variety have their reputation for a reason. However, there is a reason why newer airplanes with solid OEM support are more expensive to acquire. Its because they are cheaper in the long term to manage than aircraft with low acquisition costs, but a thousand problems underneath the skin. Rumor was some of the Luftie -11s were absolutely at their economic dead end, while others were still in good shape. Honestly, I bet the engineering and acquisition staffs at UPS and Fedex retain more corporate knowledge on the airframe than Boeing at this point.

747classic · Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:31 pm

FlapOperator wrote:
wjcandee wrote:
Did a routine Western Global check. So interesting how quickly it can all go sideways

MD11:
411SN Broken ANC since 8/27 (almost 4 weeks).
412SN Fedex
415JN At LAX for 6 days following ferry from ORD.
512JN At TPE for maintenance since 7/17 (2+ months)
513SN Asia flying
581JN Military flying.
799JN Asia flying
542KD Fedex
543JN SHV since 9/11
545JN SHV since 9/8
546JN LAX since 9/11 after air return

So 2 aircraft broken, 1 more probably-broken, 2 at SHV, 1 at TPE.
Six aircraft not flying. FIve aircraft flying.

747:
344KD is at SHV since 9/19. Hopefully just a quick check.
The other two, 356KD and 258SN, are flying.
452SN is still getting prepped for service at TPE.

Honestly, WGA needs to think about a future without the MD-11. There is just a huge amount of drag of so many airplanes on the property not making money.

Its the airline equivalent of "nothing more expensive than a 'free' airplane."

Sadly, three more Lufthansa Cargo MD11F's are to be added to the WGA fleet :
N784SN - ex D-ALCD, joined WGA June 22th 2021
N781SN - ex D-ALCA, joined WGA August17th 2021
D-ALCC still active with Lufthansa Cargo.

Original earmarked for UPS, with some TLC they could have been operated, well maintained, for many years with UPS

FlapOperator · Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:34 pm

What was the final word on which Luftie -11s went where?

747classic · Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:42 pm

FlapOperator wrote:
What was the final word on which Luftie -11s went where?

N781SN and N784SN are already added to the FAA registry with owner WESTERN GLOBL AIRLINES INC.
D-ALCC TBD ??

wjcandee · Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:23 pm

747classic wrote:
FlapOperator wrote:
What was the final word on which Luftie -11s went where?

N781SN and N784SN are already added to the FAA registry with owner WESTERN GLOBL AIRLINES INC.
D-ALCC TBD ??

Kinda weird, actually. Usually these WGN aircraft end up in a single-purpose entity (E.g. B26344 LLC for N344KD) or Mobility Air, LLC, or JimSunn Air (which right now only ones the new 744). Maybe that's down the road.

I should have mentioned that 781SN is in TPE as well.

I do think that sending the aircraft to TPE (and one to FRA) rather than SHV for C-checks should improve reliability and cut downtime. That seemed at first to be the case, but I'm not sure it's holding up once they're a few months away from check.

There's plenty of business out there. Finding business to keep these airborne should be easy. I regularly hear how nice the folks are who work at WGN, and that it's by-and-large a friendly place to work, so props to them for that. I just wish they could get their reliability up, because that's the major beef about them out there in the business.

Checking quickly on our favorite under-the-radar carrier, SkyLease's two 744Fs, recently-ish heavy-checked and painted overseas, are just going and going and going.

GCT64 · Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:32 pm

FlapOperator wrote:
What was the final word on which Luftie -11s went where?

I believe the answer is as follows:

5 to UPS
4 to Fedex
6 to Western Global
1 Written Off
2 Scrapped
1 still in service (D-ALCC)

DLNZ · Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:17 pm

wjcandee wrote:
747classic wrote:
FlapOperator wrote:
What was the final word on which Luftie -11s went where?

N781SN and N784SN are already added to the FAA registry with owner WESTERN GLOBL AIRLINES INC.
D-ALCC TBD ??

Kinda weird, actually. Usually these WGN aircraft end up in a single-purpose entity (E.g. B26344 LLC for N344KD) or Mobility Air, LLC, or JimSunn Air (which right now only ones the new 744). Maybe that's down the road.

I should have mentioned that 781SN is in TPE as well.

I do think that sending the aircraft to TPE (and one to FRA) rather than SHV for C-checks should improve reliability and cut downtime. That seemed at first to be the case, but I'm not sure it's holding up once they're a few months away from check.

There's plenty of business out there. Finding business to keep these airborne should be easy. I regularly hear how nice the folks are who work at WGN, and that it's by-and-large a friendly place to work, so props to them for that. I just wish they could get their reliability up, because that's the major beef about them out there in the business.

Checking quickly on our favorite under-the-radar carrier, SkyLease's two 744Fs, recently-ish heavy-checked and painted overseas, are just going and going and going.

It's always fun keeping an eye on these guys. As to a future without the MDs, I really don't know what they can realistically replace them with in the next decade. An interesting piece I picked up elsewhere is an application by WGN to the DOT to relax the fleet size cap, an authority which is normally in place for five years for new operators, and in this case, seven for WGN. This currently limits them to 19 aircraft. From wjcandee's post that makes 11 MDs plus 784 & 781 to come, so 13 plus 3+1 744s makes 17 total. With the balance of the ex-LH machines to arrive you can see the need for the removal of the cap.

The application notes that WGN owns three other aircraft for spare parts, and I assume those are separate to the fleet noted above. They reported 2020 revenue growth of $375.5m, +48% YoY, and net income in 2020 of $122.4m, +665% YoY.

I agree with the sentiment that sending more aircraft to good quality MROs will see some dividend, and perhaps with that function of that, a few returning from heavy MX or joining the fleet, they might end up doing okay in peak.

Newark727 · Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:24 pm

It's been reported in another thread (viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1465047) that Emirates has signed on for the 777-300ER freighter conversion.

MO11 · Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:43 am

DLNZ wrote:
This currently limits them to 19 aircraft. From wjcandee's post that makes 11 MDs plus 784 & 781 to come, so 13 plus 3+1 744s makes 17 total. With the balance of the ex-LH machines to arrive you can see the need for the removal of the cap.

From that same application, it says that it has 24 airplanes on its Ops Specs, of which three are spares and six are in conformity.

DLNZ · Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:53 am

MO11 wrote:
DLNZ wrote:
This currently limits them to 19 aircraft. From wjcandee's post that makes 11 MDs plus 784 & 781 to come, so 13 plus 3+1 744s makes 17 total. With the balance of the ex-LH machines to arrive you can see the need for the removal of the cap.

From that same application, it says that it has 24 airplanes on its Ops Specs, of which three are spares and six are in conformity.

Right, so the six could be 452SN (TPE), 781SN (TPE), 784SN (FRA) plus three others, or simply the six ex-LH birds, with 452SN already on the AOC and good to go. Thanks.

Their ups & downs of WGN continue to be in contrast to National, whose whole fleet is working hard (often with all five 744s airborne), next entrant N936CA (the ex-Supertanker machine) soon to enter service, and their pax charter A332 and B752 also going strong. These guys seem to be running a great business these days, hats off to them.

wjcandee · Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:28 am

Newark727 wrote:
It's been reported in another thread (viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1465047) that Emirates has signed on for the 777-300ER freighter conversion.

This shows the wisdom of IAI using Etihad as one of the shops to do the touch work. Note the media calling it a JV.

wjcandee · Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:32 am

Likely the 3 parts spares now are the one at OSC and the two long-haulers at SHV: 435KD and 804SN. Unless they have 3 I don't know about.

CX747 · Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:41 am

wjcandee wrote:
Newark727 wrote:
It's been reported in another thread (viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1465047) that Emirates has signed on for the 777-300ER freighter conversion.

This shows the wisdom of IAI using Etihad as one of the shops to do the touch work. Note the media calling it a JV.

Nice to see how the Big Twin makes it entrance into the market. There is a difference between a factory built and converted freighter. I really think though that IAI can dominate the overall market with this jet, if it meets 80% of the requirements and can be fielded quickly. Am I correct in saying the current customers are:

GECAS
Kalitta Air
Emirates

Meanwhile, out of Miami our two resident airliners.net DC-8Fs continue their Carribean cruising.

2059-P: 9/21/21 workload.....MIA-SAL-MIA-SAP-MIA

2158-T: 9/21/21 workload.....MIA-BGI-SDQ-MIA

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