Page 34 - World Airnews Magazine November 2020
P. 34

CARGO                                                                                                                    TURBOPROPS



                                 ADAPTING TO CARGO                                                                                                        A TURBOPROP LEADER



                                  worldwide have had seats   received exemptions from

                                  removed this year to increase   regulators to temporarily load
             outh Korea’s Asiana   space for light shipments   boxes in seats and overhead

       SAirlines is the fi rst air-  such as personal protective   bins. Using cabins for cargo
        line to modify an A350 twin-  equipment that don’t require   requires extra labour because

        aisle plane with a mini-pallet   reinforced floors, according to   loose pieces have to be
                                  data from the International Air

        system developed by Airbus   Transport Association.  individually loaded through


        to increase the efficiency of   “We took the decision for   narrow passenger doors and

        cabin loading amid a supply   aircraft modification after a   secured.





        shortage for cargo airlift.  close review of its capability   The European Union Aviation



         Engineers removed 283    to secure safety and increase   Safety Agency has certified
        seats and installed the cargo   profitability. Cargo sales have   the Airbus pallet system for



        pallet system on the floor   become a big part of the   passenger aircraft.
        to firmly secure cargo loads,   airline’s business during the   Brazilian airline Azul recently



        increasing cargo capacity by 5   COVID-19 situation, and we   became the first to reconfig-

        metric tons to 23 tons, Airbus   will carry out various efforts   ure an Embraer E195 regional

        said in a recent news release.   for the segment,” said Kim   jet for dedicated cargo service
         The process also includes   Kwang-seok, Asiana’s senior   by removing 118 seats.

        the removal of in-flight enter-  executive vice president of   The four Embraer jets will

        tainment systems.         cargo business, in a statement.  join the company’s two Boeing

         The re-configured A350 was   Passenger airlines pivoted   737-400 freighters dedicated
        deployed in late September to   quickly when travel demand   to Azul Cargo Express. The


        fly IT and electronic equip-  was destroyed at the outset   airline also operated five ATR

        ment, as well as on-line orders   of the corona virus crisis by   72-600 Quick-Change aircraft

        for items such as clothing,   putting some grounded planes   that can be switched from                                                                      a redesigned cabin and enhancements to   passenger comfort. The pressurisation gauges


        from Seoul to Los Angeles. Asi-  to use as dedicated cargo   passenger to cargo mode.                                                                       passenger comfort.                 have been integrated with the powerful Col-



        ana is now flying the aircraft     aircraft.         “We are excited to continue                                              extron Aviation has achieved type   COCKPIT UPGRADES             lins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck.


        on other high-volume routes   Although passenger aircraft   diversifying our business mod-                              Tcerti fi cati on by the Federal Aviati on                             CABIN UPGRADES


        such as Seoul to Ho Chi Minh   can’t carry as much cargo as   el with the adaptation of these                           Administration for its newest flagship twin   Among the key features of the King Air 360






        City, Vietnam.            pure freighters, which typically   four Embraer aircraft. The size,                           turboprop Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER   cockpit is the addition of the innovative   With standard seating for nine passengers,


                                                                                                                                                                    solutions and support  thrust sense auto

                                                                                                                                                                                                       the latest King Air offers an even greater
         Finnair has also changed an   can carry containers and large   range and performance of the                            aircraft, paving the way for customer deliv-



        A350 for cabin-cargo without   pallets, several widebody   E195 gives it the perfect com-                               eries to commence in the coming weeks.  throttle. The auto throttle supports pilots   passenger experience than its predecessor.


                                                                                                                                                                    in their critical mission of delivering

                                                                                                                                                                                                       The aircraft features a cabin altitude of

        the Airbus’ pallet system,   aircraft like the A350 have   bination of payload capacity,                                  Announced in August, the Beechcraft   people or cargo safely by automatically   5,960 feet at a typical cruising altitude of




        Airbus spokeswoman Heidi   substantial space in the lower   volume capacity and low trip-                               King Air 360 brings the latest innovations to   managing engine power from the take-off   27,000 feet - more than 10 percent lower



        Carpenter said.           hold.                    cost economics,” CEO John                                            the legendary aircraft and provides added   roll through the climb, cruise, descent, and   when compared to the King Air 350i. The


         More than 150 aircraft    Many airlines have also   Rodgerson said. Q                                                  value for customers.                go-around phases of flight. This enhance-  improved cabin altitude level provides


                                                                                                                                  “The new era of the industry-leading   ment reduces pilot workload and supports   greater comfort for passengers, especially
                AFRICA                                                                                                          Beechcraft King Air begins today,” said   them in their continuous vigilance to   during longer flights.



                                                                                                                                Chris Hearne, senior vice president engi-  prevent over-speed or under-speed,   A redesigned cabin features a stunning new
                                                                                                                                neering and programmes.             over-temp and over-torque conditions.  look with custom-built cabinetry, partitions



                                                                                                                                  “The King Air 360 is a perfect combina-  Another important update in the cockpit   and side ledges, upgraded materials and
                SAA TECHNICAL SERVICES                                                                                          tion of customer input, innovative tech-  is the new digital pressurisation controller,   finishes, along with all new interior schemes.




                                                                                                                                                                    which automatically schedules cabin pres-


                                                                                                                                nology and next-generation capabilities.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Other amenities that come standard on the




                                                                                                                                By incorporating superior features and   surisation during both climb and descent,   entire King Air line up include pull-out work

                                  and will continue to have   versely impacted by the cash                                      engineering advancements into an aircraft   reducing pilot workload and increasing overall   tables, standard power outlets, USB charging



                                  discussions with two others   flow challenges we experi-                                      that is renowned for its                                                             stations and a private aft


               outh African Airways   as we seek to find a resolu-  enced, resulting in payment                                 versatility and reliability,                                                         lavatory.



         STechnical has reached   tion and settlement on these   of 25% of their salaries for                                   we have elevated the                                                                   Nearly 7,600 Beech-


          an agreement with its   matters,” said SAAT CEO   the month of September,”                                            King Air to the next level.                                                          craft King Air turboprops


          customers and has begun to   Adam Voss.          said Voss.                                                           With certification now                                                               have been delivered



          re-instate aircraft mainte-  SAAT said it is one of the   South African Airways                                       in hand, we are thrilled                                                             to customers around


          nance services.         leading Maintenance, Repair   (SAA) is one of the airlines                                    to get these aircraft into                                                           the world since 1964,


           This development follows   and Overhaul (MRO) entities   that was impacted by the                                    the hands of our eager                                                               making it the best-sell-


          a decision taken by SAAT   in Africa and offers an array   suspension of the aircraft                                 customers.”                                                                          ing business turboprop
          to suspend maintenance   of services including base and   maintenance service.                                          The King Air 360 ushers                                                            family in the world.

          services to four of its airline   line maintenance.  The airline has made a pay-                                      in the next generation                                                                 The worldwide fleet

          customers in September    “The decision we took   ment to SAAT and the suspen-                                        of the legendary King Air                                                            has surpassed 62 million

          2020 due to outstanding pay-  to suspend services to our   sion of services was lifted.                               turboprop family, build-                                                             flight hours in its 56


          ments on services already   customers was not taken   Discussions are ongoing                                         ing on its reputation of                                                             years, serving roles in


          rendered.               lightly. We had to protect our   with customers to find solu-                                 versatility and reliability.                                                         all branches of the US


           “We are pleased to have   commercial interests which   tions to issues that resulted                                 The newly upgraded                                                                   military and flying both


          reached an agreement with   extend to the wellbeing of   in the suspension of the                                     aircraft offers the latest                                                           commercial and special
          at least two of our customers   our employees who were ad-  maintenance services. Q                                   technological advance-                                                               mission roles around the
                                                                                                                                ments in the cockpit,                                                                world. Q
                                             World Airnews | November / December 2020                                                                                World Airnews | November / December 2020
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