GECAS to fit Telair’s flexible loading system in B737-800 converted freighters
February 5, 2018: GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the largest commercial aviation lessor, will offer the new flexible loading system of Telair International AB to its Boeing 737-800 freighter conversion customers. It may be recalled that the announcement to convert 30 B737-800s into freighters was made by GECAS during last year’s Paris Airshow, with assurance […]
February 5, 2018: GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the largest commercial aviation lessor, will offer the new flexible loading system of Telair International AB to its Boeing 737-800 freighter conversion customers.
It may be recalled that the announcement to convert 30 B737-800s into freighters was made by GECAS during last year’s Paris Airshow, with assurance of deliveries in 2018.
Telair recently received certification for its new flexible loading system (FLS) for all its current production and in-service of Boeing 737 aircraft. The system will allow 737 operators to carry containerised cargo, including baggage, mail and parcel freight in the lower hold of the aircraft, along with bulk-loaded bags.
“The flexible loading system will help in improving the loading efficiency, and add flexibility, especially for combination, express and e-commerce operators. The system will also enable them to interline Telair containers, and reduce the bulk loading time,” said Richard Greener, senior vice president & manager, cargo aircraft group of GECAS.
“The flexible loading system will allow Telair’s containers to be preloaded and screened at the cargo sorting facility, and can be subsequently loaded in the aircraft using existing bulk loading equipment.”
The FLS includes the Telair EDGE sliding carpet, on-board conveyer system for loading and unloading bulk cargo, which is currently installed in the 737 MAX, which is about 40 percent lighter than its existing variants.
Similarly, it has new containers designed by Telair with the sliding carpet on the 737. It also has powered doorway ball mat to transfer containers on and off the sliding carpet, from the standard ground-handling equipment.
“Telair will work with GECAS and its customers to install the system during the second quarter of 2018,” said Anders Helmner, president and CEO of Telair International, AB.
“The installation of FLS in the 737 will be a game-changer for the industry,” said Helmner.
