Page 35 - World Airnews Magazine November 2020
P. 35
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-
Other amenities that come standard on the
nology and next-generation capabilities.
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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