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AEI also deals in conversion of 737-400s and
737-300s, the MD-80 series and CRJ200s.
“We have been experiencing a strong up-tick in
conversions across all types since May 2020,”
said Robert T. Convey, senior vice president of
sales and marketing for AEI.
Early this year, AEI received ETOPS 180 approval
from the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) for its B737-800SF freighter conver-
sion. AEI is also the only conversion house to
have gained ETOPS approval for the Boeing
737-800 platform. The ETOPS 180 approval
allows the B737-800SF freighter to fly 180-
minute extended operations over water and
remote regions. This opens operational routes
in areas such as Northern Africa and Western
China. “AEI continues to unleash additional
advantages for customers operating our B737- of the big integrators, pre-dates COVID-19, the pandemic has
800SF freighter,” Convey added. undoubtedly added more fuel to this fire. ST Engineering, another
leading conversion house that has redelivered over 400 aircraft
The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter through its Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) programmes since 1996,
offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700 is also witnessing growing demand for conversions. ST Engineering,
lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates eleven full Airbus and their joint venture, Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) achieved
height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an a key milestone in their joint A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F)
additional position for an AEP/AEH. The con- conversion programme in September 2020 with the re-delivery
version also incorporates new floor beams of the ‘head of version’ to launch customer, Vallair. The A321 con-
aft of the wing box, a large 86” x 137” Main verted freighter, operated by Qantas for Australia Post, entered
Cargo Door with a single vent door system. into service on October 27, 2020.
AEI’s design allows for containers to be loaded
into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward EFW had received the original Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
door jamb, ensuring ground operators have for the A321P2F from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency
sufficient maneuvering room which minimizes (EASA) in February that year, and the Validation STC from the U.S.
potential door and aircraft strikes. Additionally, Federal Aviation Administration in July the same year. Operator
the AEI B737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra specific enhancements were subsequently incorporated into the
Cargo Loading System, a rigid 9g barrier, five freighter and certified prior to its re-delivery. Jeffrey Lam, President
supernumerary seats as standard, a galley, and of ST Engineering’s Aerospace sector, said: “The completion of
full lavatory. According to Convey, since the our first A321P2F was timely, as the programme could help airlines
company’s founding in 1958, AEI has devel- breathe new life into under-utilised aircraft, which would otherwise
oped over 130 Supplemental Type Certificates suffer a harder landing in their residual value. With the A321P2F
(STCs) and has modified over 510 aircraft with platform being the best-in-class for its size category – having 55
the STCs. per cent more volumetric capacity than its nearest competitor – we
are confident that the programme will be a great success in the
Growing Demand for freighter market.”
Conversion
Albeit there was a demand driven by the needs The A321P2F is the first in its size category to offer containerised

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