Freight AEI to provide Aviation Holdings with three B737 converted freighters

Aircraft conversion company Aeronautical Engineers has announced a new deal. The firm will convert and deliver three additional freighter aircraft to Aviation Holdings III Investments LLC, who will be adding three Boeing B737-800SF to their portfolio.

With this latest order, Aviation Holdings now has eight of the freighter conversions on order. The first of this latest three aircraft is set to undergo conversion starting April 2021, with the remaining two aircraft being converted in from May 2021.

The conversions will be performed by AEI authorized Commercial Jet, who have an aircraft conversion center in Miami, Florida. There, the three airframes will be turned from passenger configuration to a specially developed freight version of the 737.

This means, that a new larger main cargo door with a single vent door system will be installed, as well as new floor beams aft of the wing box. After conversion, the 737-800SF will offer a main deck payload of up to 23,904kg.

Eleven full height 88” x 125” containers can be placed on the inside of the aircraft, making the Boeing 737 the ideal aircraft for carriers that look for a mid-sized cargo aircraft. An additional position will be available for an AEP/AEH.

Regarding its 737-800SF, AEI commented: “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 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 full lavatory.”

Aeronautical Engineers is a leader in the aircraft passenger-to-freighter conversion business. It has been developing Supplemental Type Certificates since its introduction in 1958 and is one of the oldest conversion companies in the industry.

AEI currently offers passenger-to-freighter conversions for the Boeing 737-800, 737-400, 737-300, MD-80 series, and CRJ200 aircraft.