Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is pleased to announce a follow-on contract to provide Aviation Holdings III Investments, LLC (Aviation Holdings), with three additional AEI B737-800SF freighter conversions. In March of this year, AEI announced Aviation Holdings would be adding three AEI B737-800SF freighter conversions. Upon completion of this order, Aviation Holdings will own a total of 11 AEI B737-800SF freighters.

The first aircraft (MSN TBD) of this order will commence modification in May 2022 and will be modified by the authorized AEI Conversion Center, Commercial Jet, in Dothan, Alabama. Commercial Jet will also modify the second aircraft, commencing in August 2022. The final aircraft of this order will also commence modification in August 2022, which will be performed by KF Aerospace, based in Canada.

The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700 lbs. (23,904 kg) and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH. The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box, a large 86” x 137” Main Cargo Door with a single vent door system.

AEI’s forward-thinking design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb, ensuring ground operators have sufficient maneuvering room which minimizes potential door and aircraft strikes. Additionally, the AEI B737-800SF includes a flexible Ancra Cargo Loading System, a rigid 9g barrier, five supernumerary seats as standard, a galley, and full lavatory.

When combined with proven reliability, the AEI converted B737-800SF will allow Aviation Holdings to keep their aircraft in the air, generating revenue.