zkojq wrote:

DLNZ wrote:

Worth noting here that Mexico’s MasAir have launched operations to Mainland China, using their newly acquired A332P2F machines. EI-MAA operated the first last week to CGO via ANC and ICN. Great to see them expanding, I really like the opportunities the A330 conversion programme (both 200 and 300) affords operators who can’t lay their hands on enough 763s or need a bit more range, payload or combination of both. What says the group?

I'm super enthusiastic about the A330 P2F program. Very capable plane. Lots of not-particularly-old aircraft that could potentially be converted and subsequently have very long lives as freighters. Never knew anyone who flew an A330 not to love it to bits.

Speaking of A330P2Fs, I was randomly browsing Wikipedia and discovered a new airline which - according to it's wiki entry - apparently has one A330-200P2F on order. For delivery "before the end of this year" apparently. I cannot find any news-source/press-release to confirm this and the Wikipedia entry has no citation for this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FitsAir

Mexico's MAS has/is taking a332 conversions. If memory serves, they wanted the legs of the 200 for mexico2china
Altavair + Investment bank bought Etihad's a330s 2's & 3's plus 777s; when the deal was announced conversion was part of the objective.

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news ... 330-200p2f
https://www.aircargonews.net/services/f ... onversion/

WGN's N804SN entered service today, positioning RSW-ANC.

DLNZ wrote:

WGN's N804SN entered service today, positioning RSW-ANC.

N804SN, RSW, May 17th 2022


Orignal uploaded by WesternGlobalAirlines at twitter, see : https://twitter.com/WGlobalAirlines/sta ... 6387100677

I was tracking N860GT, the recently delivered 747-8F for Atlas Air, which operates on behalf of its customer Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, as part of a previously announced long-term agreement.
The aircraft will increase capacity on routes between China and the Americas and is now operating at a fixed route pattern :

ICN-HKG-ANC-MIA-GRU-SCL-MIA-ICN

See : https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N86 ... /KMIA/RKSI

Especially the last (almost empty) stretch MIA-ICN is interesting : great circle distance = 6732 Nm , average flight time of the last 3 MIA-ICN flights approx 16 hours, exceeeding the longest scheduled UPS 747-8F flight SDF-DXB (great circle distance 6424 Nm)
See : viewtopic.php?t=1386023

Per reports on the Fr8 Dawgs group on Facebook, There are two Jumbos broken long term at ANC, one WGA, no surprise, and one Atlas B744F, that had a main landing gear partially collapse, N475MC.

Looks like a FedEx contractor got a 734F for European flying.

Spacepope wrote:

N27UADIESEL8 wrote:

stretch8 wrote:

N391CM CAM B763 BDSF sched CVG-ROW 2day for paint. Guessing DHL colors. cheers!

N390CM and N391CM I was told will operate for DHL covering DHL Aero Expreso. Both will be DHL branded.

Also one of the 3 DC-8's based in MIA is operating for DAE as well.

Any connection on the DC-8 duty to the recent 757 mishap?

Hello Spacepope, part yes and also we have multiple airplanes in stages of heavy maintenance. 1 B-757 is in C-check in OPF, another one went for an engine change at OPF then left but now is back again in OPF for another engine change. Both DAE B-767F are going for C-check as well soon. That's where N390CM and N391CM come into play.

Well, I've been pretty busy with work and haven't done one of these large DHN updates in a long time, but with major help from eightcone, was able to update my list and compile an update:

Recently completed and delivered:

N834US, MD-88F, USA Jet, was at DHN from 5/30 - 6/4 for maintenance after a diversion to DHN en route from GSP-LRD

HL8355, B737-800F, Air Incheon Cargo (South Korea), formerly EI-GWX, was at DHN from 2/21 - 6/4 after about 5 months at MIA

C-GGWF, B737-400, OWG (Canada), was at DHN from 5/24 - 6/13 for paint and preparation for service for OWG

N304AV, A320, Ultra Air (Colombia), was at DHN from 5/4 - 6/11 for preparation for service for Ultra Air (arrived in new livery from TUS)


Incomplete or awaiting delivery (conversions with initial work done in Miami noted with *):

N237GE, B737-800, former Sriwijaya, due ?, arrived at DHN on 6/12 (yesterday), status unknown

N831US, MD-83F, USA Jet, arrived at DHN on 5/27, possibly for paint into new livery or maintenance, in MD hall

N570MQ*, B737-800, former Aerolineas Argentina, due ?, arrived at DHN on 4/27, cargo door complete

N681BR, CRJ-200, former Delta Connection, due Aeronaves TSM (Mexico), arrived at DHN on 4/22, possibly in conversion in MD hall (either this frame or N836US)

EI-GWP*, B737-800, former SunExpress, due Compass Air Cargo (Bulgaria), arrived at DHN on 3/14, painted and under maintenance currently

N37FF, B737-400, all white w/ GR8 tail, due Aeronaves TSM (Mexico), arrived at DHN on 2/14, in classic conversion hall

LZ-MRX, B737-800, former Sriwijaya, due ?, arrived at DHN on 1/15, in 737 conversion hall

EI-FLM*, B737-800, former Neos, due Kenya Airways Cargo, arrived at DHN on 12/22/21 for paint, stored on ramp and conversion/paint completed

N683BR, CRJ-200, former Delta Connection, due Aeronaves TSM (Mexico), arrived at DHN on 12/16/21, door complete and awaiting paint

2-EZRA, B737-800, former NokAir, due ?, arrived at DHN on 11/19/21, in storage on ramp, conversion has not begun

N23FF, B737-400, former GetJet, due Aeronaves TSM, arrived at DHN on 10/11/21, in classic conversion hall

2-GATE, B737-800, former Thai Summer, due ?, arrived at DHN on 10/9/21, in 737 conversion hall

N245GE, B737-800, former Anadolu Jet, due ?, arrived at DHN on 8/14/21, in storage on ramp, conversion has not begun

N290BR, B737-800, former Ukraine International, due West Atlantic (Sweden), arrived at DHN on 7/1/21, recently finished conversion and painted into West Atlantic colors

N539RL, B737-800, former Regent Airways w/o winglets, due ?, arrived at DHN 6/12/21, in 737 conversion hall

N837US, MD-88, former Delta N976DL, due USA Jet, arrived at DHN 4/21/21, in storage outside of MD hall

N836US, MD-88, former Delta N971DL, due USA Jet, arrived at DHN 4/20/21, possibly in conversion in MD hall (either this frame or N681BR)

N835US, MD-88, former Delta N969DL, due USA Jet, arrived at DHN 3/30/21, conversion complete and paint complete

747classic wrote:

DLNZ wrote:

WGN's N804SN entered service today, positioning RSW-ANC.

N804SN, RSW, May 17th 2022


Orignal uploaded by WesternGlobalAirlines at twitter, see : https://twitter.com/WGlobalAirlines/sta ... 6387100677

Did they tear the APU out of this one and sell it on the market as well?

toga998 wrote:

747classic wrote:

DLNZ wrote:

WGN's N804SN entered service today, positioning RSW-ANC.

N804SN, RSW, May 17th 2022


Orignal uploaded by WesternGlobalAirlines at twitter, see : https://twitter.com/WGlobalAirlines/sta ... 6387100677

Did they tear the APU out of this one and sell it on the market as well?

Just above the nose gear door is the outlet of the aft left hand A/C pack located, two A/C packs are installed at the LH side and one is installed at the RH side.




See : viewtopic.php?t=754359

MCOflyer wrote:

Looks like a FedEx contractor got a 734F for European flying.

Cool! Who and which airframe?

Cargo Aircraft Management bought Condor's D-ABUZ yesterday.

Spacepope wrote:

MCOflyer wrote:

Looks like a FedEx contractor got a 734F for European flying.

Cool! Who and which airframe?

Just saw that on simple flying and they are replacing on prop aircraft which is an ATR with the Boeing 734F.

MCOflyer wrote:

Spacepope wrote:

MCOflyer wrote:

Looks like a FedEx contractor got a 734F for European flying.

Cool! Who and which airframe?

Just saw that on simple flying and they are replacing on prop aircraft which is an ATR with the Boeing 734F.

Who is "they"?

Several days ago I read and posted an excerpt from CH-Aviation (removed by moderators) about an Indian group called Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) that were busy with converting some 767s to tanker use but also eying the purchase of AI's 4 deregistered 744s to convert to freighter. Not sure my post was off topic for this thread or if I breached some other posting rule but I was hoping to hear opinions about this interesting stab at 25 year old 744 PAX conversions. If HAL gets this on track they'd likely create a new pool of interest as aren't there other stored 744s that might be worth considering? Or is the HAL discussion a non-starter?

Spacepope wrote:

MCOflyer wrote:

Spacepope wrote:

Cool! Who and which airframe?

Just saw that on simple flying and they are replacing on prop aircraft which is an ATR with the Boeing 734F.

Who is "they"?

I did some poking around: there used to be a Swifair ATR operating Paris-Nice with a FedEx flight number, which ended March 25. The following week, an ASL Belgium 737-400 began operating Paris-Lyon-Nice in the same time frame. It has operated with one of three former TNT airplanes.

aristoenigma wrote:

Several days ago I read and posted an excerpt from CH-Aviation (removed by moderators) about an Indian group called Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) that were busy with converting some 767s to tanker use but also eying the purchase of AI's 4 deregistered 744s to convert to freighter. Not sure my post was off topic for this thread or if I breached some other posting rule but I was hoping to hear opinions about this interesting stab at 25 year old 744 PAX conversions. If HAL gets this on track they'd likely create a new pool of interest as aren't there other stored 744s that might be worth considering? Or is the HAL discussion a non-starter?

There had been rumblings of IAI restarting their 747P2F program shortly after the late great unpleasantness started circa January 2020. Over time, there was some work done on 747-400s by IAI but not a full time line reopening. IAI's focus was to get the 777P2F up and running and not rehash the Queen's program.

The cost of buying a 747-400 is pennies on the dollar to a 777P2F. Operating costs are going to be higher in certain areas but if you don't have the higher capital to buy a 777P2F, a competing HAL 747P2F line would have some value. There are also still a large number of 747-400 Pax birds available, so feedstock would not be a problem. If HAL is looking to convert just the 4 ex-AI birds, I don't see it happening. You would want and need more birds than that to make a profit.

CX747 wrote:

aristoenigma wrote:

Several days ago I read and posted an excerpt from CH-Aviation (removed by moderators) about an Indian group called Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) that were busy with converting some 767s to tanker use but also eying the purchase of AI's 4 deregistered 744s to convert to freighter. Not sure my post was off topic for this thread or if I breached some other posting rule but I was hoping to hear opinions about this interesting stab at 25 year old 744 PAX conversions. If HAL gets this on track they'd likely create a new pool of interest as aren't there other stored 744s that might be worth considering? Or is the HAL discussion a non-starter?

There had been rumblings of IAI restarting their 747P2F program shortly after the late great unpleasantness started circa January 2020. Over time, there was some work done on 747-400s by IAI but not a full time line reopening. IAI's focus was to get the 777P2F up and running and not rehash the Queen's program.

The cost of buying a 747-400 is pennies on the dollar to a 777P2F. Operating costs are going to be higher in certain areas but if you don't have the higher capital to buy a 777P2F, a competing HAL 747P2F line would have some value. There are also still a large number of 747-400 Pax birds available, so feedstock would not be a problem. If HAL is looking to convert just the 4 ex-AI birds, I don't see it happening. You would want and need more birds than that to make a profit.

Thanks for that CX747. Likely that your reasoning gets confirmed by HAL. With the parking of Russian 748 F's maybe the argument gets a helpful push Who knows.

A possible HAL 744 P2F line could only be launched in resonable time using the 744 P2F STC of IAI or Boeing's BCF Type certificate.

There is an Awesome new documentary on YouTube about cargo conversions. There will be other parts released in the coming weeks

https://youtu.be/XIgaDGLFRuY

UPS and its pilots reach an T/A on a two-year contract extension.
The short-term agreement provides for contract improvements as the parties negotiate a longer-term agreement.

http://www.ipapilot.org/

Emuratsur Air cargo 747-300 has gotten stuck in Argentina due to legal issues. the plane was carrying auto parts for the Volkswagen Taos along with the thing that got it stuck in Argentina, 7 Iranians, probably from Mahan air the previous operator of the aircraft, who thew Argentinian government and US intelligence linked to terrorists.
the forum here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1473713

It sounds like, from the FG article anyway, Boeing is resigned to moving to a 787 freighter after 2027.

https://twitter.com/flightglobal/status ... qBBD9H8Wyw

The FAA’s proposal lays out emissions requirements and complex means of proving compliance. The agency says the standards will apply to “the upcoming Boeing 777X and future versions of the 787 Dreamliner”, and to Airbus A330neos.

The proposed rule does not specifically mention 767s.

However, the proposal is the FAA’s regulatory response to aircraft-emissions caps required under a 2021 rule issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency. That rule calls 767s “non-compliant”.

Speaking to reporters in Everett on 15 June, Boeing freight customer leader Brian Hermesmeyer says the US manufacturing giant intends to explore means of producing 767s beyond 2027. But he declines to specify how.

“We will continue to work with regulators and customers, to work within sustainability frameworks, to make sure that the 767 may have a possibility to continue,” Hermesmeyer says.

Still, he adds Boeing is considering potential 767F replacements.

“Are we looking at different freighter platforms in that space? Absolutely,” Hermesmeyer says.

He calls a 787 freighter “a natural place for us to look”.

“For now, Six-Sevens will be delivered through the end of 2027, and we will make sure that we have the right airplanes in the right space for the market,” Hermesmeyer adds.

It will be interesting to see the timing, and possible launch customers/orders for a 787F, imho.

texl1649 wrote:

It sounds like, from the FG article anyway, Boeing is resigned to moving to a 787 freighter after 2027.

https://twitter.com/flightglobal/status ... qBBD9H8Wyw

The FAA’s proposal lays out emissions requirements and complex means of proving compliance. The agency says the standards will apply to “the upcoming Boeing 777X and future versions of the 787 Dreamliner”, and to Airbus A330neos.

The proposed rule does not specifically mention 767s.

However, the proposal is the FAA’s regulatory response to aircraft-emissions caps required under a 2021 rule issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency. That rule calls 767s “non-compliant”.

Speaking to reporters in Everett on 15 June, Boeing freight customer leader Brian Hermesmeyer says the US manufacturing giant intends to explore means of producing 767s beyond 2027. But he declines to specify how.

“We will continue to work with regulators and customers, to work within sustainability frameworks, to make sure that the 767 may have a possibility to continue,” Hermesmeyer says.



Still, he adds Boeing is considering potential 767F replacements.

“Are we looking at different freighter platforms in that space? Absolutely,” Hermesmeyer says.

He calls a 787 freighter “a natural place for us to look”.

“For now, Six-Sevens will be delivered through the end of 2027, and we will make sure that we have the right airplanes in the right space for the market,” Hermesmeyer adds.

It will be interesting to see the timing, and possible launch customers/orders for a 787F, imho.

You can also read : nothing has been decided yet, we are still working at a "compliant " 767 derative aircraft for production beyond 2027

Cardude2 wrote:

Emuratsur Air cargo 747-300 has gotten stuck in Argentina due to legal issues. the plane was carrying auto parts for the Volkswagen Taos along with the thing that got it stuck in Argentina, 7 Iranians, probably from Mahan air the previous operator of the aircraft, who thew Argentinian government and US intelligence linked to terrorists.
the forum here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1473713

It's such a fascinating story isn't it. You really couldn't make it up.

In partially related news, I thought I would have a look at some other odd ball 747 operators and their whereabouts. Some friends on this thread will recall the Transaviaexport 743SF EW-465TQ, which for a time was the only operational 743 in service. This was the machine that was hauling Moto GP equipment between round back in March and which did an air-return in Mombasa, Kenya. It sat there apparently awaiting an engine change for 6 weeks but on 05/07 ferried to THR of all places where it has sat ever since. I guess where else is a Belarussian 747 Classic going to go for maintenance in today's climate. Perhaps the good folk in Indonesia at GMF wouldn't or couldn't take them.

Astral Aviation’s TF-AMM has left CGK on the 17th of June after almost three months of maintenance. It flew an empty leg to KUL and seems to already be operating a cargo flight to Africa. It’s good to see this 29 years old 747-4H6BDSF still getting some maintenance to rock away for hopefully a lot of flights yet to come.

At this moment some other oldies like Geo Sky’s 4L-GEN (35 years old 742), Aerotranscargo’s ER-BAM (28 years old 744BDSF) and JetOneX’s TF-AMJ (31 years old 744BCF) are getting maintenance at CGK, as well as Magma Aviation’s TF-AMC which has been active on the radar at CGK a couple of times in the past weeks, so I presume this aircraft will also be on the line again relatively soon. It seems that the people at GMF are working very hard to keep our favourite 747’s airworthy. Please correct me if I missed any 747’s on which they are actually also working on!

An interesting observation from the auto parts freighter world. There seems to be an all-hands-on-deck mission to move parts from Mansfield, OH (presumably Newman Technologies?) to a few specific GM assembly plants. Some numbers just from the last two weeks (fairly abnormal to see this many domestic, non-Mexico charters from one facility in this span of time):

17 flights to STL/SUS (GM has a large assembly plant in Wentzville, MO) on Berry/FRG E120s, Amerijet Falcons, USA Jet/Ameristar DC-9s, USA Jet/Kalitta Charters II 727s, IFL CRJ200s
11 flights to MCI (GM has a plant in KC, Ford has one just outside of KC) on Berry/FRG E120s, USA Jet/Ameristar DC-9s, USA Jet MD-88s, and IFL CRJ200s
5 flights to MRC (Columbia, TN - GM has an assembly plant in Spring Hill, about 20 mins away from MRC) on Berry/FRG/Royal Air Freight E110/120s

Add in the interesting fact as well that a lot of these flights include a stop in CAK before arriving in MFD, presumably to pick up the load. I'm guessing this is solely for fuel purposes, as the ground time in CAK is fairly quick, and it's a short 15-20 minute hop between MFD and CAK. This is the best way that I can comprehend a routing like PHX-YIP-CAK-MFD-SUS. Unless it's for easier crew changes, but in this economy, fuel would be a good guess.

On a similar note, this Royal Air Freight E110 looks like it might have provided some extra DHL lift on CVG-ATL last Friday? Time critical smaller shipment? Quite unusual to see one of those routed on something like PTK-ILN-CVG-ATL-PTK. Would love to know more about that one, as those don't stop into major international airports, especially ATL, often: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N34 ... /KCVG/KATL

gdavis003 wrote:

On a similar note, this Royal Air Freight E110 looks like it might have provided some extra DHL lift on CVG-ATL last Friday? Time critical smaller shipment? Quite unusual to see one of those routed on something like PTK-ILN-CVG-ATL-PTK. Would love to know more about that one, as those don't stop into major international airports, especially ATL, often: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N34 ... /KCVG/KATL

Just a guess but perhaps an ATI or Abex jet was AOG in ATL so the Royal charter picked up people or parts in ILN and CVG before dropping them off at the broken aircraft? This flight looks to be too small and late in the day to be of much use to DHL.

Any word on whether FX contractors getting more 734's 737F's? Also when is Buffalo supposed to receive their 733F?

Also, I noticed an Avianca A320 at MLB. Is she there getting stripped prior to freighter conversion?

jjbiv wrote:

gdavis003 wrote:

On a similar note, this Royal Air Freight E110 looks like it might have provided some extra DHL lift on CVG-ATL last Friday? Time critical smaller shipment? Quite unusual to see one of those routed on something like PTK-ILN-CVG-ATL-PTK. Would love to know more about that one, as those don't stop into major international airports, especially ATL, often: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N34 ... /KCVG/KATL

Just a guess but perhaps an ATI or Abex jet was AOG in ATL so the Royal charter picked up people or parts in ILN and CVG before dropping them off at the broken aircraft? This flight looks to be too small and late in the day to be of much use to DHL.

That would make sense too. Definitely seems ATI/ABX related.

MCOflyer wrote:

Also, I noticed an Avianca A320 at MLB. Is she there getting stripped prior to freighter conversion?

I believe this one is actually going to Avianca. Nomadic has been posting about it. I think it’s a former Batik A320, repainted at ROW and undergoing mx prior to entering service at MLB

MCOflyer wrote:

Any word on whether FX contractors getting more 734's 737F's? Also when is Buffalo supposed to receive their 733F?

Those contractors have been getting 734/738Fs for years in Europe. Don't expect to see any stateside.

MCOflyer wrote:

Also, I noticed an Avianca A320 at MLB. Is she there getting stripped prior to freighter conversion?

Ferried in from ROW, heading for AVIANCA. Formerly Batik Air. There are several.

patrickschoots wrote:

Astral Aviation’s TF-AMM has left CGK on the 17th of June after almost three months of maintenance. It flew an empty leg to KUL and seems to already be operating a cargo flight to Africa. It’s good to see this 29 years old 747-4H6BDSF still getting some maintenance to rock away for hopefully a lot of flights yet to come.

At this moment some other oldies like Geo Sky’s 4L-GEN (35 years old 742), Aerotranscargo’s ER-BAM (28 years old 744BDSF) and JetOneX’s TF-AMJ (31 years old 744BCF) are getting maintenance at CGK, as well as Magma Aviation’s TF-AMC which has been active on the radar at CGK a couple of times in the past weeks, so I presume this aircraft will also be on the line again relatively soon. It seems that the people at GMF are working very hard to keep our favourite 747’s airworthy. Please correct me if I missed any 747’s on which they are actually also working on!

Thanks for the update from GMF! I share your positive sentiments about their work, and I love the variety of carriers and engine & airframe combinations they maintain of the 747 line. To add to the above, Aerostan's 742SF EX-47002 is also in the garage there, having arrived 05/28.

JetOneX just posted this picture on their Linkedin, it shows TF-AMD in a maintenance facility in Taipei. After 10 years of storage in VCV, it flew to TPE on the 27th of March. Just like other JetOneX aircraft it has the classic “reminder of the past” livery. In this case, it is obvious that the previous operator was China Airlines. It looks like the aircraft is going to be in the air soon!

patrickschoots wrote:

JetOneX just posted this picture on their Linkedin, it shows TF-AMD in a maintenance facility in Taipei. After 10 years of storage in VCV, it flew to TPE on the 27th of March. Just like other JetOneX aircraft it has the classic “reminder of the past” livery. In this case, it is obvious that the previous operator was China Airlines. It looks like the aircraft is going to be in the air soon!

Excuse me, apparently there was a problem with adding the attachment, it hopefully should be there now.

patrickschoots wrote:

patrickschoots wrote:

JetOneX just posted this picture on their Linkedin, it shows TF-AMD in a maintenance facility in Taipei. After 10 years of storage in VCV, it flew to TPE on the 27th of March. Just like other JetOneX aircraft it has the classic “reminder of the past” livery. In this case, it is obvious that the previous operator was China Airlines. It looks like the aircraft is going to be in the air soon!

Excuse me, apparently there was a problem with adding the attachment, it hopefully should be there now.

No joy. Perhaps you could just provide a link to the LinkedIn post you're trying to post

According to Skyliner, the Alis Cargo 777-200s that they were operating as freighters have been parked back at VCV on return to lessor https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb. ... av4&page=4

Spacepope wrote:

According to Skyliner, the Alis Cargo 777-200s that they were operating as freighters have been parked back at VCV on return to lessor https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb. ... av4&page=4

Alis is shutting down already?

Spacepope wrote:

patrickschoots wrote:

patrickschoots wrote:

JetOneX just posted this picture on their Linkedin, it shows TF-AMD in a maintenance facility in Taipei. After 10 years of storage in VCV, it flew to TPE on the 27th of March. Just like other JetOneX aircraft it has the classic “reminder of the past” livery. In this case, it is obvious that the previous operator was China Airlines. It looks like the aircraft is going to be in the air soon!

Excuse me, apparently there was a problem with adding the attachment, it hopefully should be there now.

No joy. Perhaps you could just provide a link to the LinkedIn post you're trying to post

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jetonex_ ... esktop_web

Hope the above works. So great to see this machine nearing its return to service. This was N575CL which positioned to TPE on 03/25. Three months on and she is all but ready to go. More great work by the crew up there. Presumably N297CL will take her place in MX in due course.

In other news, Longtail's VP-BYK, the Rolls-powered 747-444BCF is working. Currently at PVG having operated from RFD via ANC & ICN over the past few days.

And checking in on our Moldovan friends at Aerotranscargo. Perhaps opportunistically given their permit issues in China, they seem to have picked up some work in Africa, with flagship, cream of the crop ER-BBJ operating a few LGG-LOS-NBO-LGG lines recently.

In other news, another 757 is destined for it's natural home of North Atlantic fish transportation.
Apparently, Bakkafrost, one of the largest salmon producers has acquired a 757 which will be used for Fish transport from Faroer to N.America.

Any clues as to the frame?
likely candidates could include the 2 Aviastar-TU frames recently returned, one stored at GYR, one in SAW.
other could be:
ASL's OO-TFC, currently stored in lleida
ex Raya air N312AL currently in SFB
or of course any new conversion.

source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... ampaigners

747-228F, N54VP, WHITE WALKER HOLDINGS LLC , has been ferried SJH-CGK (for HMV?) at June 20th 2022, see : https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N54 ... 0620/0842Z
The aircraft has been stored Sep 2014 - 20 Jun 2022 at SHJ.

N54VP, SHJ, 22nd July 2021.


Original uploaded by Clive Hindmarch at Flickr, see : https://www.flickr.com/photos/superspotter/51332408151

Note : This is actually the former Martinair aircraft (PH-MCN) which i operated many times at my MP period.

Swiss03 wrote:

In other news, another 757 is destined for it's natural home of North Atlantic fish transportation.
Apparently, Bakkafrost, one of the largest salmon producers has acquired a 757 which will be used for Fish transport from Faroer to N.America.

Any clues as to the frame?
likely candidates could include the 2 Aviastar-TU frames recently returned, one stored at GYR, one in SAW.
other could be:
ASL's OO-TFC, currently stored in lleida
ex Raya air N312AL currently in SFB
or of course any new conversion.

source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... ampaigners

Since fish tends to be pretty dense stuff, would you even need a fully converted aircraft for those routes? Belly cargo plus a few pallets in the cabin would work for any preighter.

flyguy1 wrote:

Alis is shutting down already?

That doesn't appear to be the case. Of the 4 aircraft in the fleet, two have been returned to the lessor. In this case both the former SQ frames (RR Trent) have been returned, the former/current AZ (GE90) remain active (for now).

Didn't see this here before: Buried in this article about increased Saab 340 freighter conversions, we see the launch of the Saab 2000 freighter. New life in the old girl! https://www.aircargonews.net/services/f ... onversion/

USAJet MD-88sf N835US took to the skies today at Dothan. Must be close to delivery

Anyone here familiar with Everts Air's propliner operations up in Alaska? This summer I'd like to get up there and see their DC-6 and C-46 if they're still running.

(This thread knows everything, so I figure it's the best place to ask.)

747classic wrote:

747-228F, N54VP, WHITE WALKER HOLDINGS LLC , has been ferried SJH-CGK (for HMV?) at June 20th 2022, see : https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N54 ... 0620/0842Z
The aircraft has been stored Sep 2014 - 20 Jun 2022 at SHJ.

N54VP, SHJ, 22nd July 2021.


Original uploaded by Clive Hindmarch at Flickr, see : https://www.flickr.com/photos/superspotter/51332408151

Note : This is actually the former Martinair aircraft (PH-MCN) which i operated many times at my MP period.

Absolutely awesome, thanks. Great catch. It’s been a couple years since we discussed on this forum the last few possible 747 frames for reactivation. Virtually all were taken, yet this machine sat idle, awaiting its fate. Fantastic to see and one to keep an eye out for in a few months. Perhaps another machine for Aerostan?
To that end, their EX-47002 which had been in MX at CGK since 05/28 positioned late yesterday to SHJ and back into service I expect.

Additional info about N54VP, the second to last built 747 classic (from my old MP operations manual)

L/N 878, C/N 25266, GE CF6-50E2 powered, ordered by Air France (NTU), delivered new to Martinair at 11 Oct 1991 as PH-MCN, built after construction of more thas 100 744's and contained already numerous strengthend 744 parts.
Proportional TE flap load relieve system installed, max in flight landing flaps weight increased from standard 294.830 kgs to 306.628 kgs, MLW increased from 285.760 kgs to 290.300 kgs.
MZFW increase possible from standard 267.6 to 282 Tons, when reducing MTOW from 377.8 to 364.2 Tons.

Upgraded KLM/MP Flight deck, to cater for the latest CNS/ATM requirements :
5 ATI Astronautics EHSI ans EADI displays and triple FMS CMA900 flight management systems, with integral 12 channel GPS sensors replacement of the three original Delco Carousel-IV inertial navigation systems with three Litton laser inertial units

texl1649 wrote:

It sounds like, from the FG article anyway, Boeing is resigned to moving to a 787 freighter after 2027.

https://twitter.com/flightglobal/status ... qBBD9H8Wyw

“Are we looking at different freighter platforms in that space? Absolutely,” Hermesmeyer says.

He calls a 787 freighter “a natural place for us to look”.

“For now, Six-Sevens will be delivered through the end of 2027, and we will make sure that we have the right airplanes in the right space for the market,” Hermesmeyer adds.

It will be interesting to see the timing, and possible launch customers/orders for a 787F, imho.

One thing that I don't understand; why didn't they develop a freighter already, given that various 787 testbeds have been scrapped? Case in point, 787 LN5 (registered N787FT) was scrapped in 2018. Why not use it to certify a freighter? Could an already built aircraft not have the main deck cargo door retrofitted and then be used for certification (as well as certifying the BCF conversion simultaneously)?

https://twitter.com/royalscottking/stat ... 1507766273

https://www.airliners.net/photos/airlin ... 956637.jpg