Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) announced today that it has signed a contract to provide Michigan-based USA Jet Airlines (USA JET) with three AEI MD-88SF Freighter Conversions. USA JET is a subsidiary of Ascent Global Logistics, a firm with more than $1B in revenue that is the market leader in the domestic air expedited market. The contract provides an option for three additional freighter conversions of the same aircraft type.

These AEI MD-88SF freighter conversions, which offer additional pallet positions and greater payload capability, are part of a significant expansion in domestic air capacity that Ascent Global Logistics is investing in over a multi-year period.

“We are appreciative of AEI’s excellence in engineering capabilities, which are critical for our continued fleet expansion”, said John Heaney, President of USA Jet Airlines.

The first MD-88 (MSN TBD) will commence modification in March 2021, followed by the second and third aircraft in May and August, respectively. Touch labor and maintenance requirements for all modifications will be performed by Commercial Jet’s Dothan, Alabama facility, which is an authorized AEI Conversion Center.

The AEI MD-88SF shall provide USA JET with an Ancra CLS capable of carrying:

• (12) 88” x 108” Containers/Pallets, P1 to P12

When combined with proven reliability, the AEI converted MD-88SF will allow USA JET to keep their aircraft - “In the air, generating revenue.”