KMC carries out cargo door work on prototype aircraft, targeting late-2026 FAA approval after engineering delays pushed back timeline
Kansas Modification Center (KMC) has reached a cargo door milestone and expects to begin flight testing and the supplemental type certificate (STC) process for its 777-300ERCF freighter conversion programme in the third quarter of this year.
This is a milestone moment for KMC, which began its 777-300ERCF freighter conversion programme in September 2020.
The company said in a recent LinkedIn post that it was in the process of working on the new cargo door for its protoype conversion.
"Kansas Modification Center has reached its latest major milestone on the 777 P2F conversion programme having completed the removal of the existing door surround structure in preparation for a new cargo door and attachment structure.
"KMC now begins the structure reinstallation of the forward cargo door skins and frames to accommodate the cargo door. Efforts are currently aligned to begin post mod flight testing and certification in Q3 of 2026."
In 2022, Backbone Freighter Leasing became the launch customer for KMC's 777-300 freighter conversion, placing firm orders for three of the converted aircraft and options on a further seven models.
At the time, KMC aimed to secure the conversion's STC from the FAA in the second quarter of 2024, with delivery anticipated to begin in the same year.
However, work on the project took longer than expected with an extended engineering/flight testing timeline and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) delays, partly as a result of the US government shutdown last year.
Then last October, KMC indicated that it hoped to achieve FAA approval for its conversion programme in late 2026, though it did not specify a more precise date.
There are currently three 777-300ER conversion programmes in place with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Kansas Modification Center (KMC) and Mammoth Freighters, plus one 777-200LR programme in development with Mammoth.
In September last year, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced it had received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) certificate from both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) for its Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger to freighter (P2F) conversion.
Meanwhile, Mammoth Freighters confirmed last month that final test flights for its 777-200LRMF will be carried out in early January and STC certification and delivery to launch customer Qatar Airways Cargo is anticipated to follow shortly afterwards.
