Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) has announced that India’s Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved AEI’s STC (ST02690LA) for the 12-pallet position B737-800SF freighter conversion. AEI currently has FAA, CAAC, EASA, TCCA, UK CAA, CAACI (Cayman Islands) DCA (Guernsey), Brazilian, Argentinian ANAC and now Indian DGCA approval for its B737-800SF.
Chennai-based Afcom Holding Limited, a cargo airline is taking a previously converted AEI B737-800SF (MSN 33003) on lease and will operate the aircraft based out of India. This transaction was the impetus for AEI to gain approval with the Indian Director General of Civil Aviation.
“This STC Validation will allow Indian cargo operators access to the industry leading AEI B737-800SF and a path towards greater profitability through affordability” said Robert T. Convey, AEI Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With India’s e-commerce and express markets continuing to grow, the B737-800SF will provide operators with the right blend of payload, volume and economics to compete in an ever-changing world.”
The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a main 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 for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb, ensuring ground operators have sufficient manoeuvring room which minimises 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 full lavatory, said a release.
AEI is the global leader in the aircraft passenger-to-freighter conversion business and is the oldest conversion company in existence today, the release added.