Pemco adds full freighter option to B737-700 conversion programme

Pemco Conversions has announced a full freighter Boeing 737-700 Next Generation (NG) conversion programme, with Bahrain-based Chisholm Enterprises as the launch customer.
The development a full freighter option follows Pemco’s B737-700 passenger-to-FlexCombi conversion programme, again with Chisholm as the launch customer, for an aircraft with separate main-deck compartments for passengers and cargo.
Pemco said that the requirement for a B737-700 full freighter conversion emerged during work on the FlexCombi aircraft for Chisholm.
Mike Andrews, director, conversion programs for Pemco, said: “As we developed the B737-700 FlexCombi conversion, our understanding of their [Chisholm’s] requirements grew, allowing us to implement comprehensive solutions that enhanced our vision of the B737-700 Full Freighter, making Chisholm the ideal launch customer for this conversion.”
Chisholm Enterprises provides aviation and business solutions in the Middle East. Its subsidiary, Texel Air, a non-scheduled cargo airline and maintenance repair organization, intends to operate the B737-700F from Bahrain International Airport.
Chisholm Enterprises chief executive George Chisholm said: “Over the past 10 years, we have partnered with Pemco to successfully deliver numerous aircraft designed specifically to meet our unique business requirements, the FlexCombi being one such example.
“With their proven expertise and insight into our business, they were our natural first choice service provider for the addition of a Next Generation (NG) full freighter to our fleet.
“We are excited to work with Pemco again and to see our NG fleet grow to support Texel Air’s expanding operations in Bahrain.”
Pemco will induct a B737-700 passenger twin-jet for full freighter modification at its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, during the second quarter of 2019.
It will amend its pending application with the US Federal Aviation Administration for the B737-700FC supplemental type certification (STC) to accommodate the full freighter conversion, "streamlining the approval process".
After initial FAA approval, Pemco plans to certify both B737-700 conversion programs with the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Pemco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services (AMES), which is itself a subsidiary of US freighter lessor ATSG.
AMES president Brady Templeton said: “Building relationships with our customers and understanding their needs is the driving force behind our innovation and STC development.
“In this case, we are designing a great product, at a sensible price, based on knowledge developed as the market leader in the B737 passenger to freighter conversion market.
“The response and interest in our FlexCombi positioned us to deliver an additional model to satisfy demand in the narrowbody conversion market.”