PACAVI completes pre-modification tests on A320 series freighter conversion

PACAVI, the US-based engineering and conversion specialist, is moving forward with the supplemental type certificate (STC) development for its Airbus A320/A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion programme.
PACAVI Group chief executive Stephan Hollmann said: “Our STC programme, started in January 2015, is progressing on schedule, as well as the conversion of our prototype A320 Freighter LITE at the HAITEC facility in Frankfurt/Hahn, Germany. 
Jens Strahmann, PACAVI’s vice president product certification, quality assurance, tests & evaluation, said: “After we have performed the preliminary design review in December, we now have successfully completed the first pre-modification tests.”
Strahmann, the former head of test at Airbus Engineering Bremen, added: “As we move on with these tests, a critical design review will take place in just a few weeks from now.”
PACAVI is striving to be first to market with the new A320 P2F conversion but faces competition from the joint venture between Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aerospace)and Dresden-based Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) which has its own A320/321 programme. 
The PACAVI A320 Freighter LITE will have a cargo payload of up to 21 tonnes, flying routes of nearly 3,200 nautical miles, depending on load weight (2,300 nm at structural limit).
The Freighter LITE conversion programme includes a new 140-inch main deck cargo door, a Class E cargo interior, a 9G barrier and a manual cargo loading system.
The A320 Freighter LITE can also accommodate containerised freight in the bellyhold, adding a lower deck cargo volume of 1,322 cu ft.