Spacepope wrote:

DLNZ wrote:

Great to see Ruby Star breaking cover with EW-556TQ a resplendent 747-409(BSDF). This is the ship which carried a Burundian rego previously. Currently en route to PIK. Another great addition to the minor operators list!

Oh yeah, she popped up on our radar a week or so ago. Glad to see she's been put to work!

A few minor hiccup incidents: Cargologic 744F G-CLBA (only 59000 hours as of a year ago) had a hydraulic issue taking off from LHR to ATL. Diverted at low altitude (probably burning off fuel) to FRA for repairs. http://avherald.com/h?article=4e4fa86e&opt=0

Fedex MD-11 N582FE (90,000 hours/ 22,000cycles) on a -9000 numbered flight had a compressor stall on one of its CF6s taking off from STN, diverted back to STN after dumping fuel. http://avherald.com/h?article=4e4f6e71&opt=0

CX747 wrote:

I thought of you the other day when reading that LH is retiring their last (8) 747-400s. With the retirement came several thoughts. I would love to see them rock on as pax aircraft but I don't see that playing out. Getting converted would be great but again cost.

So sadly, I thought.....excellent parts birds for the burgeoning fleet of operational 747-400Fs and for those 747Fs sitting in the desert like the ex-EVA frame being brought back to operational status. 32 CF-6s are now available. 1 LH 747-400 is already being used as a heavily taxed parts bird to bring the ex-EVA 744 back. I wonder if we see additional hauls from the desert. Buy a beat up BUT already converted 744 for a song and use the LH birds to get it back into operational status.

Spacepope wrote:

CX747 wrote:

I thought of you the other day when reading that LH is retiring their last (8) 747-400s. With the retirement came several thoughts. I would love to see them rock on as pax aircraft but I don't see that playing out. Getting converted would be great but again cost.

So sadly, I thought.....excellent parts birds for the burgeoning fleet of operational 747-400Fs and for those 747Fs sitting in the desert like the ex-EVA frame being brought back to operational status. 32 CF-6s are now available. 1 LH 747-400 is already being used as a heavily taxed parts bird to bring the ex-EVA 744 back. I wonder if we see additional hauls from the desert. Buy a beat up BUT already converted 744 for a song and use the LH birds to get it back into operational status.

The LH retirements make sense when looked at them ditching the MD-11 fleet too: Now they don't have to care for CF6s anymore fleetwide, so see not only the engines on the wing (or tail) becoming available, but also their entire spares inventory. They'll keep 767s flying for years!

It's sorta sad though since they were heavy aircraft users, at around 5000 hours per year. Those birds were not kept on the ground long if it could be helped.

Spaceship wrote:

[Don’t forget the 3 classic B742F flying in Iran!
EP-FAA
EP-FAB
EP-ICD/quote]


Also the ex Nippon Cargo B747-281F N6915R

Mean while its sister-ship ER-BBS is been cutup for scrap in JKT

jreeves96 wrote:

Since a C-17 flies cargo... anybody know why Kuwait sent their C-17 CHS-ORD?

747classic wrote:

Regarding the FedEx MD11F fleet : What is the future for the 5 stored MD11 aircaft ?

N522FE, PW powered, stored VCV since April 2020.
N646FE, GE powered, stored VCV since August 2019, still in LH Cargo configuration (ex D-ALCE)
N647FE, GE powered, stored VCV since December 2019, also in LH Cargo configuration (ex D-ALCF)
N648FE, GE powered, stored VCV since Februay 2020, also in LH Cargo configuration (ex D-ALCJ)
N649FE, GE powered, stored VCV since March 2020, alsoin LH Cargo configuration (ex D-ALCH)

Will all 5 be used for spares or are any re-activation plans known (like the UPS purchased ex LH Cargo MD11's) ?

Spacepope wrote:

jreeves96 wrote:

Since a C-17 flies cargo... anybody know why Kuwait sent their C-17 CHS-ORD?

A spotter in Chicago was able to catch that special arrival into standard beautiful midwestern weather: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuarVEAnoX4
Here's the departure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnm1CEUYTZc

Spacepope wrote:

Interesting movement but not unexpected: Aeronaves TSM has taken delivery of Glenn Beck's DC-9-15.

I can't tell if this one was originally built with a cargo door or not. If it is the latter, it'll be for parts.

Source: https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb. ... av4&page=4

Spacepope wrote:

This was posted over in the Pax 747 retirement thread based on an "article" of speculation by the dinguses at Simple Flying

"Bad news, wamos air has now officially retired there last 747-400 EC-KXN. It’s on its way to Kyrgyzstan right now probably to be scrapped there. https://simpleflying.com/wamos-final-747-retirement/"

There's absolutely no evidence of a startup scrapping facility there, but perhaps we may see a new PaxCargo join the fleet of our ragtag central Asian operators.

HPRamper wrote:

FX has its next plane scheduled for a retirement flight to VCV and it's not an MD10 or even an MD11...it's an A306. On 4/6, tail 717FD will be headed to the desert.

Spacepope wrote:

HPRamper wrote:

FX has its next plane scheduled for a retirement flight to VCV and it's not an MD10 or even an MD11...it's an A306. On 4/6, tail 717FD will be headed to the desert.

She must have been pulling a TON of domestic cycles back in Korea.

Her last SDR was from a heavy check in 2018, but back then she had only 46,000 hours, but a whopping 40,645 cycles. That and with Pratt engines that seem to have fallen out of favor at FedEx means she's coming up on another check and it's not worth it for this well used airframe.

Spacepope wrote:

HPRamper wrote:

FX has its next plane scheduled for a retirement flight to VCV and it's not an MD10 or even an MD11...it's an A306. On 4/6, tail 717FD will be headed to the desert.

She must have been pulling a TON of domestic cycles back in Korea.

Her last SDR was from a heavy check in 2018, but back then she had only 46,000 hours, but a whopping 40,645 cycles. That and with Pratt engines that seem to have fallen out of favor at FedEx means she's coming up on another check and it's not worth it for this well used airframe.

747classic wrote:

Spacepope wrote:

HPRamper wrote:

FX has its next plane scheduled for a retirement flight to VCV and it's not an MD10 or even an MD11...it's an A306. On 4/6, tail 717FD will be headed to the desert.

She must have been pulling a TON of domestic cycles back in Korea.

Her last SDR was from a heavy check in 2018, but back then she had only 46,000 hours, but a whopping 40,645 cycles. That and with Pratt engines that seem to have fallen out of favor at FedEx means she's coming up on another check and it's not worth it for this well used airframe.

A300-600 Extended Service Goal : 89.000 hrs / 51.000 cycles, see FAST Magazine number 61 : see : https://www.airbus.com/aircraft/support ... azine.html

And search at FAST 61 for the article "Supporting aging fleets"

Note : For the A300-600 series , the Design Service Goal (DSG) original was 67500 hrs / 30000 cycles., later extended to 89.000 hrs / 51.000 cycles (Extended Service Goal - ESG)

DLNZ wrote:

Spacepope wrote:

This was posted over in the Pax 747 retirement thread based on an "article" of speculation by the dinguses at Simple Flying

"Bad news, wamos air has now officially retired there last 747-400 EC-KXN. It’s on its way to Kyrgyzstan right now probably to be scrapped there. https://simpleflying.com/wamos-final-747-retirement/"

There's absolutely no evidence of a startup scrapping facility there, but perhaps we may see a new PaxCargo join the fleet of our ragtag central Asian operators.

Agree, I'm hoping she is off to our friends at Aerostan as a paxargo bird. Capable machine she is.

Also to add to the 747 Classic list is TransaviaExport EW-460TQ who from my records is still in FJR and who has turned on her transponder a couple of times in FEB. I'm hoping that's a preparation for more active service.

RSB's new shiny toy EW-556TQ turned up in TSN this morning.

Spacepope wrote:

HPRamper wrote:

FX has its next plane scheduled for a retirement flight to VCV and it's not an MD10 or even an MD11...it's an A306. On 4/6, tail 717FD will be headed to the desert.

She must have been pulling a TON of domestic cycles back in Korea.

Her last SDR was from a heavy check in 2018, but back then she had only 46,000 hours, but a whopping 40,645 cycles. That and with Pratt engines that seem to have fallen out of favor at FedEx means she's coming up on another check and it's not worth it for this well used airframe.

Spaceship wrote:

[quoteAlso to add to the 747 Classic list is TransaviaExport EW-460TQ who from my records is still in FJR and who has turned on her transponder a couple of times in FEB. I'm hoping that's a preparation for more active service.]

bennett123 wrote:

Spacepope wrote:

HPRamper wrote:

FX has its next plane scheduled for a retirement flight to VCV and it's not an MD10 or even an MD11...it's an A306. On 4/6, tail 717FD will be headed to the desert.

She must have been pulling a TON of domestic cycles back in Korea.

Her last SDR was from a heavy check in 2018, but back then she had only 46,000 hours, but a whopping 40,645 cycles. That and with Pratt engines that seem to have fallen out of favor at FedEx means she's coming up on another check and it's not worth it for this well used airframe.

If she is cycled out, wonder how many other FX A300 are at the limit as well?.

Canuck600 wrote:

Just wondering what sort of penalty payments companies like Western Global pay when they fail to deliver on time or otherwise don't perform according to the contract terms? Surely penalties for failure to deliver on time are part of every cargo contract?

Spacepope wrote:

747classic wrote:

Spacepope wrote:

She must have been pulling a TON of domestic cycles back in Korea.

Her last SDR was from a heavy check in 2018, but back then she had only 46,000 hours, but a whopping 40,645 cycles. That and with Pratt engines that seem to have fallen out of favor at FedEx means she's coming up on another check and it's not worth it for this well used airframe.

A300-600 Extended Service Goal : 89.000 hrs / 51.000 cycles, see FAST Magazine number 61 : see : https://www.airbus.com/aircraft/support ... azine.html

And search at FAST 61 for the article "Supporting aging fleets"

Note : For the A300-600 series , the Design Service Goal (DSG) original was 67500 hrs / 30000 cycles., later extended to 89.000 hrs / 51.000 cycles (Extended Service Goal - ESG)

I'm sure FX has made the calculations on the cost of running her out to LOV and passed on it.

HPRamper wrote:

It helps that FedEx isn't dying for lift anymore. In fact, we just took delivery of two more 767s over the past week and a half and probably a third coming in another week or so.

CALMSP wrote:

Canuck600 wrote:

Just wondering what sort of penalty payments companies like Western Global pay when they fail to deliver on time or otherwise don't perform according to the contract terms? Surely penalties for failure to deliver on time are part of every cargo contract?

it just depends on whatever the airline and the customer come up with in the T&C of their pricing agreement. If a flight is late or cancelled or something along those lines, it does not automatically mean there is a financial penalty that the airline must pay, that is extremely extremely rare.

wjcandee wrote:

HPRamper wrote:

It helps that FedEx isn't dying for lift anymore. In fact, we just took delivery of two more 767s over the past week and a half and probably a third coming in another week or so.

Curious, then, about the now-three-per-day Western Global flights on their MD11s under FedEx callsigns. Are those Post Office or something, then, and just contracted by FedEx?

Canuck600 wrote:

CALMSP wrote:

Canuck600 wrote:

Just wondering what sort of penalty payments companies like Western Global pay when they fail to deliver on time or otherwise don't perform according to the contract terms? Surely penalties for failure to deliver on time are part of every cargo contract?

it just depends on whatever the airline and the customer come up with in the T&C of their pricing agreement. If a flight is late or cancelled or something along those lines, it does not automatically mean there is a financial penalty that the airline must pay, that is extremely extremely rare.

I was thinking more along the lines of a failure to deliver in time, say a shipper is sending super time sensitive or persishable cargo, if the aircraft goes tech for several days wouldn't the carrier be penalised with the amount of the penalty depending on time lost?

gdavis003 wrote:

Make it three DL MD-88s at DHN for conversion (I believe that all three are for USA Jet). N972DL is scheduled to ferry BYH-DHN this afternoon: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N97 ... /KBYH/KDHN

Boeing757100 wrote:

I wonder why there aren't more DC-8-70s still flying? I mean, if they have the fuel efficiency of an older generation 767, use similar engines as the 737/A320CEO, have low acquisition cost, and have good payload capability, then I don't understand why there aren't more in the Congo or someplace like that? Lack of spares? Too many engines to feed?

wjcandee wrote:

Looks like Western Global's 744 N344KD diverted while flying PVG-ANC, apparently making a beeline due West to Japan, landing possibly at Aomori Airport (RJSA) with its 3000-meter (9843-foot) runway. Hard to tell whether it's an anomoly, but the ADSB data seems to support that conclusion. Hasn't appeared in AvHerald.

The 744s have been pretty-reliable for Western Global.

DLNZ wrote:

Or Misawa?

CALMSP wrote:

DL cargo seems to be getting in on some domestic cargo routes with 757's. Beginning in a few days: CLT-MIA / IND-DAL / MDW-IND / TPA-HOU / TPA-IND / SJC-LAX to name a few. I do wonder if this is a BSA with FedEx or UPS or DHL.

gdavis003 wrote:

CALMSP wrote:

DL cargo seems to be getting in on some domestic cargo routes with 757's. Beginning in a few days: CLT-MIA / IND-DAL / MDW-IND / TPA-HOU / TPA-IND / SJC-LAX to name a few. I do wonder if this is a BSA with FedEx or UPS or DHL.

This is quite strange. I was looking at the DL Cargo schedule for April (URL has "MAR" in it, but the link takes you to April), and I see these on there as well (https://www.deltacargo.com/content/dam/ ... le_MAR.pdf). What's interesting is that these are all ferry numbers for NBA charter flights. It says that frequency is daily as well. MIA-CPS is another very strange one that I saw. Maybe, the daily frequency is incorrect, and DL is allowing cargo to run on the planned ferry flights for these NBA charters? Very, very strange.

wjcandee wrote:

gdavis003 wrote:

CALMSP wrote:

DL cargo seems to be getting in on some domestic cargo routes with 757's. Beginning in a few days: CLT-MIA / IND-DAL / MDW-IND / TPA-HOU / TPA-IND / SJC-LAX to name a few. I do wonder if this is a BSA with FedEx or UPS or DHL.

This is quite strange. I was looking at the DL Cargo schedule for April (URL has "MAR" in it, but the link takes you to April), and I see these on there as well (https://www.deltacargo.com/content/dam/ ... le_MAR.pdf). What's interesting is that these are all ferry numbers for NBA charter flights. It says that frequency is daily as well. MIA-CPS is another very strange one that I saw. Maybe, the daily frequency is incorrect, and DL is allowing cargo to run on the planned ferry flights for these NBA charters? Very, very strange.

Okay, so here's the thing. DL doesn't publish a passenger schedule like this anymore, to my knowledge, but you have just given us a PDF that has...basically the passenger schedule for DL. It just says Delta Cargo on it, because apparently people in the cargo biz want an unwieldy printed schedule like this. The whole thing, particularly in light of the flight numbers and the fact that these are 757s flying between NBA-team cities, makes me think that it's some kind of mistake, along the lines of what gdavis003 has suggested.

CALMSP wrote:

wjcandee wrote:

gdavis003 wrote:

This is quite strange. I was looking at the DL Cargo schedule for April (URL has "MAR" in it, but the link takes you to April), and I see these on there as well (https://www.deltacargo.com/content/dam/ ... le_MAR.pdf). What's interesting is that these are all ferry numbers for NBA charter flights. It says that frequency is daily as well. MIA-CPS is another very strange one that I saw. Maybe, the daily frequency is incorrect, and DL is allowing cargo to run on the planned ferry flights for these NBA charters? Very, very strange.

Okay, so here's the thing. DL doesn't publish a passenger schedule like this anymore, to my knowledge, but you have just given us a PDF that has...basically the passenger schedule for DL. It just says Delta Cargo on it, because apparently people in the cargo biz want an unwieldy printed schedule like this. The whole thing, particularly in light of the flight numbers and the fact that these are 757s flying between NBA-team cities, makes me think that it's some kind of mistake, along the lines of what gdavis003 has suggested.

yes and no, except that the Delta Cargo marketing team actually stated today that routes like CLT-MIA and IND-MDW are being added.

Swiss03 wrote:

Interesting editorial from a german aviation magazine on Challange airlines out of Liege, Belgium

According to CEO Eshel Heffetz, the company is interested in acquiring 4-6 new aircraft by 2022. According to him, these look to be of 747-400s (although not said if BCF or factory Freighter), he also stated that the company is looking into the 777-300ER converted freighter program.
He also stated that they were not interested in acquiring aircraft for conversion, but would be interested in already converted 747 BCF/BDSF Aircraft. (possible placement for the EVA air bird being revived)

Their fleet currently consists of
OO-ACF B747-400F Factory Freighter
OO-ACE B747-400BCF

source (in german) : https://www.aerotelegraph.com/challenge ... emie-kommt

CX747 wrote:

Swiss03 wrote:

Interesting editorial from a german aviation magazine on Challange airlines out of Liege, Belgium

According to CEO Eshel Heffetz, the company is interested in acquiring 4-6 new aircraft by 2022. According to him, these look to be of 747-400s (although not said if BCF or factory Freighter), he also stated that the company is looking into the 777-300ER converted freighter program.
He also stated that they were not interested in acquiring aircraft for conversion, but would be interested in already converted 747 BCF/BDSF Aircraft. (possible placement for the EVA air bird being revived)

Their fleet currently consists of
OO-ACF B747-400F Factory Freighter
OO-ACE B747-400BCF

source (in german) : https://www.aerotelegraph.com/challenge ... emie-kommt

Do we have an up to date list of the factory and converted 747-400Fs that are currently parked?

We've had the discussion recently on the parked LH 747s and to be parked LH frames serving as donors to previously thought dead, desert dwelling converted 747-400Fs. It could be the MHV ex-EVA frame is the first of many. Overall, it would be much cheaper to find a converted jet and rejuvenate it than convert an already operational jet.

Also, good to see Fly Pro's 747-200F ER-BAR hard at work since rejoining the worldwide freighter fleet. Wonder what other 747 Classics are possibly being prepped to re enter service?!?

Jumping to another thought...

Anyone have visibility on N705AA? A recently brought out of the desert 727F. It was supposed to go to Astral in Africa but continues to show as resting in Barbados after departing the US.

Swiss03 wrote:

CX747 wrote:

Swiss03 wrote:

Interesting editorial from a german aviation magazine on Challange airlines out of Liege, Belgium

According to CEO Eshel Heffetz, the company is interested in acquiring 4-6 new aircraft by 2022. According to him, these look to be of 747-400s (although not said if BCF or factory Freighter), he also stated that the company is looking into the 777-300ER converted freighter program.
He also stated that they were not interested in acquiring aircraft for conversion, but would be interested in already converted 747 BCF/BDSF Aircraft. (possible placement for the EVA air bird being revived)

Their fleet currently consists of
OO-ACF B747-400F Factory Freighter
OO-ACE B747-400BCF

source (in german) : https://www.aerotelegraph.com/challenge ... emie-kommt

Do we have an up to date list of the factory and converted 747-400Fs that are currently parked?

We've had the discussion recently on the parked LH 747s and to be parked LH frames serving as donors to previously thought dead, desert dwelling converted 747-400Fs. It could be the MHV ex-EVA frame is the first of many. Overall, it would be much cheaper to find a converted jet and rejuvenate it than convert an already operational jet.

Also, good to see Fly Pro's 747-200F ER-BAR hard at work since rejoining the worldwide freighter fleet. Wonder what other 747 Classics are possibly being prepped to re enter service?!?

Jumping to another thought...

Anyone have visibility on N705AA? A recently brought out of the desert 727F. It was supposed to go to Astral in Africa but continues to show as resting in Barbados after departing the US.

We do now

Stored B747-400 F/BCF/M

Pure Freighter:

N492MC Atlas ( active as recently as 02/21) (seems to be at TPE for maintenance)
N499MC Atlas ( active as recently as 01/21) (in HKG)
B-18701 China Airlines ( active as recently as 01/21) (at TPE, possible maint.)
B-18702 China Airlines (stored at VCV since 2012, due to return)
B-18703 China Airlines (stored at VCV since 2012, Due to return)
B-18710 China Airlines ( active as recently as 03/21) (at TPE, possible maint.)
B-2461 China Southern ( active as recently as 08/20)
B-2473 China Southern ( active as recently as 12/20)
B-2427 Grand star cargo (Stored PEK since 2011, In need of major rework and checks, currently for sale)
9V-SFQ Singapore Air ( active as recently as 02/21) (listed as stored by planespotters, not sure where or why)
N582UP UPS ( active as recently as 02/21) (at SDF)
TC-MCT Saudia Cargo (At SAW, presumably still on repair after massive tailstrike in 02/20)

Combi:

HS-TGH stored CGK 2021 (probably for maint.) due Terra Avia
B-2458 stored PEK 2014
N925BA (HL7608) stored MZJ 2013
N570B (HL7482) stored MZJ 2013
N251KW Stored MCI 2021 for maint. Possible Due Eastern Airlines?
HL7414 Stored VCV 2017
HL7482 Stored TPE Mar 2021 WFU 16 Mar 2021
N27063 (B-16402) Stored MHV 2017 (due to be revived using parts from LH Birds)
B-16462 Stored MHV 2016 ( partially Scrapped)
TF-AML Stored MCI 2017 due Mesk Air (UAE)
B-2435 Stored PVG 2019

Combi: ( only for feedstock)
PH-BFD std MHV2017
PH-BFH std MHV 2017
PH-BFT std MCI 2020 ( possible due for light conversion)
PH-BFV Std TEV ( possible due for light conversion)
PH-BFW At TLV for light conversion Due longtail aviation
PH-BFY std MHV 2020
D-ABTD std MHV 2011
D-ABTF std MHV 2011
D-ABTH std MHV 2013
B-2471 Std PEK 2013 (presumed scrapped)