Boeing Wichita Delivers Modified 747 Freighter to Atlas Air Two Weeks Ahead of Schedule

WICHITA, Kan., Apr. 2, 1996 -- The Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Wichita Division, last week delivered to Colorado-based Atlas Air a modified 747 freighter two weeks ahead of schedule. The freighter re-entered service March 27.

The 747-200, which was inducted into Wichita s Modification Responsibility Center in December as a combi aircraft, capable of carrying passengers and a limited amount of cargo, was converted to all-freighter configuration. Boeing employees fitted the aircraft with new floor beams, seat tracks and floor panels to strengthen the forward two-thirds of the main deck, the area of the aircraft that was previously configured to carry passengers.

Boeing workers also installed a powered cargo handling system and smoke detection system. Additionally, Boeing certified the aircraft for increased takeoff and maximum zero fuel weight operation.

"The sooner an operator can get back into the air, the sooner the carrier can begin recovering an investment," said Modification Responsibility Center Director Vic McMullen. "Our ability to redeliver an aircraft two weeks ahead of schedule provides tremendous value for our customer. It enhances their competitive position, and demonstrates to the industry that Boeing value is second to none."

Boeing Wichita, the company's center of excellence for full-service aircraft modifications, specializes in wide- bodied aircraft reconfigurations and structural durability updates. Wichita also recently completed engineering for 747-300 combi- and passenger-to-freighter modifications.

Last week's delivery brings to 68 the number of modified Boeing 747 airplanes reconfigured at Boeing Wichita s Modification Responsibility Center. Boeing's 20-year market outlook projects a requirement for 630 additional large-capacity freighter airplanes by the year 2015.