Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is excited to announce the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved AEI’s STC (ST02690LA) for the 12-pallet position B737-800SF freighter conversion. This is an important milestone for the company as AEI’s B737-800SF is an ideal freighter for European market route structures. Multiple European customers have already expressed interest in AEI’s B737-800SF conversion. AEI currently has FAA, CAAC, and now EASA approvals for its B737-800SF.

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.

During the last 6 months, AEI has secured an additional 40 orders for the B737-800SF. Currently, AEI has a total of 14 simultaneous freighter conversion production lines, 9 of which are dedicated to the B737-800SF and is on track to deliver 24 freighters in 2021 and 30+ in 2022.