Aviation News Item: 05049

11th Feb 2010

Source: ubmaviationnews.com

Aeronautical Engineers (AEI), an engineering company based in Miami, Florida, has launched a cargo conversion programme for MD-80 aircraft. It will focus on DC9-80, MD-81, MD-82, MD-83 and MD-88 aircraft. The twin jets, which have a narrower fuselage diameter than the competing 727 or 737, will be capable of holding up to 12 custom-made unit load devices (ULD) measuring 88in x 108in (223cm x 274cm). The conversion work will initially be performed by Commercial Jet in Miami, but is later to be extended to other MRO providers throughout the world. AEI expects initial certification by the summer of 2011 and plans to certify the programme with the FAA, EASA and CAAC. The firm said it had already worked on the modification plan for six months. Wagner Aeronautical, a competing engineering company based in Escondido, California, announced its MD-80 passenger-to-freighter conversion programme on Tuesday (February 9).

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