Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) has announced that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved AEI’s STC (ST02690LA) for the 12-pallet position B737-800SF freighter conversion. This is an important milestone for the Company as AEI’s B737-800SF is an ideal freighter for European market route structures. Multiple European customers have already expressed interest in AEI’s B737-800SF conversion. AEI currently has FAA, CAAC, and now EASA approvals for its B737-800SF.
The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a primary deck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates eleven full-height 88″ x 125″ container positions plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH. The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box, a large 86″ x 137″ Main Cargo Door with a single vent door system.
AEI’s forward-thinking design allows containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5″ aft of the forward door jamb, ensuring ground operators have sufficient maneuvering room that minimizes potential door and aircraft strikes. Additionally, the AEI B737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System, a rigid 9g barrier, five supernumerary seats as standard, a galley, and a full lavatory.
During the last 6 months, AEI has secured an additional 40 orders for the B737-800SF. Currently, AEI has 14 simultaneous freighter conversion production lines, 9 of which are dedicated to the B737-800SF, and is on track to deliver 24 freighters in 2021 and 30+ in 2022.
