Airbus completes six-year upgrade project of UPS A300-600F cockpits
This final delivery was the culmination of a 6-year project signed in March 2017, with embodiment scheduled to begin in 2021, and is the first time an upgrade of this complexity has been implemented on the A300.
From left to right: Antoine Morel, Airbus VP Airframe Services, and Dave Springer - Managing Director of Tech Ops at UPS
Airbus and UPS have completed the cockpit upgrade project for UPS Airlines' 52 A300-600 Freighters and 2 Simulators. In March, UPS received the final aircraft retrofitted with cutting-edge cockpit avionics. This final delivery was the culmination of a 6-year project signed in March 2017, with embodiment scheduled to begin in 2021, and is the first time an upgrade of this complexity has been implemented on the A300.
Using an innovative new integrated avionics system, the upgrade brings the A300-600F cockpit up to current generation cockpit requirements. The improvements will allow UPS to operate and maintain the fleet type for at least another decade.
UPS pilots aren't the only ones who benefit from the fleet upgrade: a centralised system that simplifies troubleshooting in the event of a malfunction, as well as the ability to load new software for upgrades without removing hardware from the aircraft, make maintenance easier.
For the retrofit, Airbus designed the new integrated cockpit architecture. It managed the overall development project, flight-tests and certification. Airbus supplied the service bulletins and kits to UPS, comprising both the new avionics modules as well as Airbus’ own aircraft-specific wiring, cockpit panels and other structural elements. It provides the warranty and updated documentation with the upgrade (as the Type Certificate holder).
UPS' Project Engineering and Procurement teams:
- Developed technical requirements in cooperation with Airbus.
- Worked with Airbus regularly to manage commercial matters.
- Coordinated MRO selection and oversight to incorporate the new system into their fleet.
- Managed parts/materials procurement to support modification lines.
- Managed scheduling of production lines based upon supply chain availability and operational variables.
