Precision Aircraft Solutions started to convert its first Boeing 757-200 with winglets in June and has now received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for converting the type to freighter and combi configurations.

Precision tells Air Cargo Week that it predicts it will carry out 12 to 15 -200 winglet modified conversions a year. It estimates that there are 360 757s modified with winglets that could be converted. The  -200 that started being converted in  June is a former American Airlines 757 freighter that is now owned by Cargojet. Precision says winglets offer fuel savings of up to five per cent depending on whether carriers use a Rolls-Royce or a Pratt & Whitney engine, while on shorter cargo sectors, fuel savings of one to three per cent would be typical.

Precision’s president, Gary Warner says: “Keeping ahead of what our customers require continues to be a main priority for Precision. We are pleased to now offer our European partners the advantages of our winglet compatible freighters.” Under the name Precision Conversions, it carried out more than 40 757-200 freighter and combi conversions for companies including, DHL, Air China Cargo and Icelandair. 

It has carried out work on what it says is the only 15 pallet 757-200 freighter in the world. According to Boeing, the 757-200 offers reduced maintenance costs, improved take-off performance, increased payload capacity, lower emissions, reduced noise, higher cruise altitude, more economical dash speed capacity, lower landing and navigation fees and higher aircraft residual value.