IAI receives STC approval for 737-700 conversion

October 24, 2017

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received a new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for cargo conversion of the Boeing 737-700BDSF from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

IAI has recently completed its first ever conversion of a prototype aircraft from passenger to freighter configuration at its facility, including the installation of a wide cargo door.

The aircraft was delivered to Alaska Airlines as the first of three aircraft on order. The work was carried out at IAI’s Bedek Aviation Group facilities in Israel.

The converted B737-700BDSF can carry a total of 10 ULD’s – providing a total volume of 3673 cubic feet, enabling the aircraft to carry up to 45,000 lbs.

Bedek Aviation Group corporate executive vice president and general manager, Yossi Melamed says: “IAI is proud to add the conversion of 737-700BDSF to the successful portfolio of its developed STCs for cargo conversions of passenger aircrafts.

“IAI’s Bedek Aviation Group has been a key player for over 40 years in the design, development, testing, certification and implementation of modifications and conversions of an endless number of platforms.”

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.