A321P2F gains EASA
Stowage bags
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
JUNE 2020 045
TAIL-SIGN SPECIFIC EOS
Lufthansa Technik now offers a tail-sign specific Engineering Order
(EOS) with defined Special Conditions for commercial operators to
transport cargo in passenger compartments. This work will be done in
accordance with the operator’s Operations Manual, actual LOPA and
installed passenger seats, and any relevant regulatory authorities.
This service is available for all major commercial aircraft types
within three to five days of receiving the order, at a cost of €14.500
per aircraft type. For example, Lufthansa Technik obtained EOS
approvals from the German Federal Aviation Authority for four
Lufthansa A330-300 passenger aircraft to transport medical goods.
Within 36 hours, the aircraft were modified for cargo transport.
HAECO Cabin Solutions has launched a range
of certifiable devices for stowing packages in
the main cabin. An interesting aspect of the offer is
that it sees cargo occupy the cabin alongside passengers, to
maximise cabin yield. Cargo can even be used to help passengers
with social distancing, and to help maintain weight and balance.
The company progressed four variants from concept to offerable in
less than a month (partly due to them being based on existing seating
and interiors technologies), each of which will be certified through an
STC. The palletised variant can hold 454kg (1,000 lbs), the all-in-one seat
frame 227kg (500 lbs), and the seat and floor systems can each hold up
to 109kg (240 lbs). These options give airlines specific load authorisations
and enable them to carry larger items in the cabin that can be held in the
belly. The variants can also be combined to achieve the ideal operational
payload, for both narrow- and widebody aircraft.
The kits can be delivered within four to six weeks,
and installation is quick as it uses the
same process used for fitting
economy seating.
Doug Rasmussen,
president of HAECO Cabin
Solutions, reports strong
interest in the kits from
both airlines and leasing
companies.
For operators seeking a longer-term conversion of
aircraft, ST Engineering has entered a joint venture with
Airbus and EFW, which has received an STC from EASA
for A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions. The
prototype unit, due to be delivered to launch customer
Vallair, made its maiden flight test on 22 January.
The A321P2F is a useful option to the Boeing 757
converted freighter and is the first aircraft in its size
category to offer containerised loading in both the
main deck (up to 14 full container positions) and lower
deck (up to 10 container positions). The aircraft has a
payload-range capability of up to 27.9 metric tons over
2,300 nautical miles.
COMBINE
PASSENGERS
AND CARGO
Innovint has developed a solution to remove seats and
install cargo bags secured by belts, converting the maindeck
passenger cabin into a cargo compartment. The bags are
durable and include a fire barrier, with a payload example for the
A350 being 260kg (573 lbs) for lateral mounting, and 500kg (1,102
lbs) for the centre. The bags would increase the cargo capacity of
an A350-900 with all seats removed by 35% (an additional 38m2 of
volume and a payload of 20,000kg (44,092 lbs)).
The approval process for the installation is based on EU
regulation 2018/1139 article 71 (provisions for flexibility in case of
unforeseeable and extraordinary circumstances), which allows a
faster certification approach with the national aviation authorities,
as an STC via EASA processes would take too much time.
However, all relevant qualification and certification issues will
follow the rules and methods as if an
STC is in place. Innovint’s EASA 21J
Design Organization partner (DO
Paustian Airtex) will guide and
establish the data necessary
to reach an equivalent level
of safety.
“The demand for cargo
transportation, especially for
medical protective equipment, is
enormous. We are making room for
more cargo on our long-haul jets.
This will bridge the time until our
passenger business starts up again.
As soon as the demand for travel
picks up again, we can convert the
aircraft back into passenger
planes at any time”
Jens Ritter, COO,
Austrian Airlines
CA BIN C ARGO
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com