The Special Freighter edition of the McDonnell Douglas MD-82/MD-83/MD-88

Engine type: Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217A/C,-219

Credit to @GalacticaAsia for his original MD-80

About the history of McDonnell Douglas MD-80SF

As early as the 1990s, there were first reports of possible conversions of MD-80 passenger aircraft for a new role as full freighters. First ideas seemed to come from the People's Republic of China. Here A possible conversion of MD-82 was discussed and MD-82 of China Eastern Airlines was mentioned. Such plans were not implemented,In mid-February 2010, there was another attempt to implement a program for the conversion of MD-80 passenger aircraft for a new role as freighters. The Florida/USA-based Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) announced that under the name "MD-80SF Passenger to Freighter Conversion Program" the necessary conversion work at the versions MD-81/-82/-83 and MD-88.A first converted MD-80 is to be presented in summer 2011. The company has had these plans "for about ten years. and it was pointed out that MD-80s have reached an age (of at least 15 years) and, at (extremely low) acquisition costs, a level that requires a conversion make it seem realistic. The company predicts a "large number of conversions in the coming years". In addition to structural reinforcements of the cabin floor, the installation of a cargo hatch in the front fuselage area is one of the most important elements of the conversion. In addition, almost all Cabin windows can be replaced by lightweight window plugs made of aluminum.A first MD-80 converted into a freighter is scheduled to complete its first test flight on March 01, 2012. The conversion program is being implemented by the US company "Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI)" and its website provides comprehensive and weekly updated reporting. Officially, no customer for the MD-80 freighter is known yet. On the occasion of the announcement that flight testing of the MD-80 freighter would begin in May 2012, it was announced that the freighter prototype would be certified by the US company "Everts Air Cargo" is to be taken over. According to AEI, firm orders for 15 MD-80SF out of four (not officially known) airlines.Already on September 28, 2012, the maiden flight of a converted MD-80 took place. AEI state that there would be 15 orders for the MD-80 freighter and the payload will be 21 tonnes. specified. Customers would be located in South America, Europe, the USA and the Middle East. So far, two customers are officially known, a customer from the USA and a customer from Malaysia.According to information, the MD-80 freighter is scheduled to enter commercial service with launch customer Everts Air Cargo very soon in November 2012. As a second customer, a hitherto not yet officially named US customer. According to AEI, additional MD-80 freighters will be delivered in Central Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Also, confirms that it is in negotiations with an Australian interested party to offer further freight capacity in the mining business. In Australia, there is only one MD-80 users and there is a possibility that it is this company that could use freighters in addition to their "normal" MD-80.The MD-80 freighter can optionally carry up to 21.3 tons of cargo, but the big supposed advantage is associated with the cost of purchasing an MD-80 of often less than a million US $. and the conversion costs of about US$ 25 million. At just under $3.5 million, a company would pay less than 50% of the cost of a converted Boeing 737-400. Aircraft that would offer approximately the same cargo capacity. According to the AEI, the interest in the MD-80 freighter would be surprising, as it would have expected primarily demand from developing countries, but in reality the interest would also come from Western countries. Industrialized countries is noticeable. On the other hand, the use of MD-80 freighters in Brazil and Russia is considered unlikely, as none of the MD-80s is "not certified" there.and therefore the conversion programme is well utilized for the foreseeable future.The smaller fuselage cross-section as a freighter compared to the 737 is often cited as a disadvantage. However, this is not relevant at this low price. The higher kerosene consumption also plays a role does not matter much, since the purchase price is considerably lower as mentioned and the daily use of the MD-80 in freight operations will be two to four hours. The conversion of an MD-80 takes 60 to 70 working days and the aircraft type is described as relatively easy for a conversion. In this context, too, emphasis is placed on the Robustness of the cell structure.Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) received supplemental approval from the FAA for converted MD-12 freighters on February 2013, 80. AEI states that it holds orders for 20 conversions and a need for 100+ conversions over the next ten years. Everts Air Cargo will be the first airline to use a converted MD-80.At the beginning of March 2013, USA Jet transferred one of its MD-83s (N831US) to Miami/USA in order to convert this aircraft into a Freighters. USA Jet will officially be the first customer for a converted MD-83.

Have a nice flight!