World’s first A320P2F makes its maiden flight

0
356

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the joint venture created by Airbus and ST Engineering has achieved the first flight of the A320 Passenger-to-Freighter aircraft, the A320P2F. The flight took place earlier today at ST’s facilities in Seletar Aerospace Park in Singapore and follows the conversion to freighter configuration, which commenced there in March this year. The A320P2F complements EFW’s current line-up of freighter converted Airbus aircraft which are in service today, including the A321P2F, A330-300P2F and A330-200P2F.

Over the next few weeks, MSN2737, originally a passenger-carrying A320-200, will prepare for its ‘new life’ by undergoing a series of flight tests which will culminate in the issuance to EFW by EASA of the aircraft’s Supplemental-Type-Certificate (STC). It will subsequently be leased by ST Engineering Aerospace Resources (STEAR), the aviation leasing arm of ST Engineering, to Vaayu Group. Its re-entry into service as a freighter is scheduled to commence in 2022. Vaayu revealed last month that it will lease five A320P2Fs from STEAR.

With a cargo capacity of 10 ULD containers + one pallet position on the main deck, and seven ULD containers on the lower deck, the A320P2F offers significantly more payload and containerised volume than its closest competitor, as well as having the lowest fuel burn in its class. This freighter solution offers 21 tonnes of payload over 1.800nm and up to 2.560nm with 17 tonnes, making it the ideal narrowbody freighter aircraft in all established general freight and express markets. Operators will also benefit from the A320/321P2F’s fly-by-wire cockpit commonality with the A330 widebody family of passenger and freighter aircraft.

READ ALSO  Real-time virtual counterparts of each ULD: Jettainer harnesses digital twins

Notable features of the A320P2F conversion include a main-deck cargo door in the forward fuselage on the left side – this is hydraulically actuated and electrically locked and measuring 142” width and 85” height; a 9G rigid cargo barrier with a lightweight and durable design for optimal usage of available space; a light-weight cargo lining; a manually operated cargo loading system with the full support of industry-standard narrowbody ULDs; reinforced floor panels & floor grid to cater for higher running loads; and a Class-E cargo compartment fully meeting the industry requirements.

xyz xyz
Devender was born in the year when the Beatles Group was formed. He holds two master’s degrees in English Literature and Public Administration. He also has an Honors degree in English Literature and a post-graduate diploma in Corporate Communications and Public Relations. He was closely associated with the Indian State Transport Undertakings and Ministry of Transport in his role as Corporate Communications and PR specialist for over two decades handling domestic and international organizations. He ventured into business forming his own Media House, Profiles Media Network Private Limited which is now a twenty years old company. Excelling as an editor, Marketing, PR, Anchor, and Advertising specialist, he is now expertly navigating the world of social media. A widely traveled professional internationally, Devender has a deep understanding of the Air Cargo, Cargo Business, Cargo Airports, Freighters and Cargo Industry at large.