Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) has formally launched both Passenger to Freighter and Passenger to Combi Conversion Programs for the Boeing 737-800. Both programs have been studied for the past year and will be marketed as B737-800SF (Special Freighter) and B737-800C (Combination Passenger and Freighter). The program development costs are being fully funded by AEI. The modification touch labour will be performed at Commercial Jet’s Miami Florida facility, which is one of five authorized AEI Conversion Centers worldwide.
AEI will make both conversions available at all authorized AEI Conversion Centers shortly after issuance of the STC by the FAA and expects the initial development and certification to take two and a half to three years. After the initial FAA STC issuance, AEI plans to certify both conversion programs with the EASA, CAAC, ANAC and Russian authorities.
Robert T. Convey, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, stated that “As with many successful freighter conversion programs in the past, the 737-800 has now entered the “Zone of Conversion” with the oldest units approaching 15 years of age.” He goes onto say: “This conversion program is however unique when compared to past programs in that the 737-800 is still in production and its replacement, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is nearing entry into service. What this means is that owners and operators will for the first time have access to modern narrowbody converted freighters.”