AEI gets ETOPS approval for Boeing 737-800SF freighter conversion

Aeronautical Engineers, Inc has received ETOPS 180 approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Boeing 737-800SF freighter conversion.

The ETOPS 180 approval allows the 737-800SF freighter to fly 180-minute extended operations over water and remote regions.

Without ETOPS approval aircraft must be within 60 minutes flying time of an airport where they can make an emergency landing.

This opens operational routes in areas such as northern Africa and western China, AEI said.

Robert Convey, senior vice president of sales and marketing for AEI, said: “With the ETOPS 180 approval, our customers will have more opportunities to expand their routes and service the growing needs of global air cargo.”

The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. or 24 tonnes. It incorporates eleven 88″ x 125″ container positions, as well as an additional position for an AEP/AEH container.

The converted freighter also features new floor beams aft of the wing box, a large 86” x 137” main cargo door with a single vent door system and a flexible Ancra cargo loading system. Additionally, the AEI B737-800SF includes a rigid 9g barrier, up to five supernumerary seats, a galley and a lavatory. aircargonews.net