767-300BCF

US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing has signed a deal with leasing firm Guggenheim Aviation Partners to convert three 767-300ER passenger aircraft into freighters.

The conversions will be undertaken at the facility of ST Aviation Services (SASCO), a subsidiary of ST Aerospace, in Paya Lebar in Singapore, while Boeing will oversee the engineering aspect.

It will be the first time that Aviation Partners’ Boeing 767 with blended winglets is being converted to a freighter.

767-300BCF is the only aircraft under Boeing 767 variant that is compatible with performance-improving blended winglets.

Blended winglets offer about 5.5% fuel savings to an airline travelling 3,000 nautical miles.

The Boeing converted freighters (BCF) are scheduled to be delivered to the New York airplane leasing firm in 2013.

Guggenheim Aviation Partners chief executive officer Steve Rimmer said that the 767-300 BCF with performance characteristics similar to a 767 production freighter would provide a flexible and economic option for the medium haul freighter market and looked forward to delivering these to the clients in 2013.

"We are excited to have Guggenheim as a new customer for the 767-300BCF and the first for a 767BCF certified with blended winglets."

Conversions will include installation of cargo door and surrounding structure, strengthening of the deck floor, replacement of wall and ceiling liners, additional floor panels and freighter tracks for cargo handling system.

Carrying up to 52t of cargo, the freighters will have a maximum takeoff weight of 412,000lbs and feature 24 pallet positions on the main deck.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Freighter Conversions vice president Dan da Silva said Guggenheim had been a key Boeing customer for both converted and production freighters.

"We are excited to have Guggenheim as a new customer for the 767-300BCF and the first for a 767BCF certified with blended winglets," he said.

Boeing provides a range of commercial aviation services, including passenger-to-freighter conversions, performance upgrades, airline fleet management and aircraft-on-ground services.

Image: Guggenheim Aviation Partners expects to receive 767-300BCF aircraft in 2013. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.