Bulgaria-based CargoAir has become the first European carrier to take delivery of a converted Boeing 737-800 freighter from US specialist Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI). This aircraft also represents the first AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion to be operated in Europe.
AEI received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for the B737-800SF on May 07, 2021. Last year in November, CargoAir signed up for two AEI B737-800SF freighter conversions, after cancelling an agreement for two B737-800BCFs.
The second AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion for CargoAir will commence modification in June and will be performed by the authorised AEI conversion center, Commercial Jet in Miami, Florida.
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 maneuvering room which minimises potential door and aircraft strikes. Additionally, the AEI B737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System, a rigid 9g barrier, and five supernumerary seats as standard, a galley, and full lavatory.
