Israel Aerospace Industries gets STC nod for 737-700BDSF freighter conversion

October 30, 2017: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received a new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for cargo conversion for the 737-700BDSF from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). IAI has recently completed its first ever conversion of a prototype aircraft from passenger to full-freighter configuration at its facility, including the installation of a wide cargo door. The aircraft was delivered to Alaska Airline as the first of three-aircraft order. The entire work was performed at IAI's Bedek Aviation Group facilities in Israel.

IAI designed the B737-700BDSF Conversion with a 84″ X 134″ cargo door on the left side and an additional modification of the main deck to the Class “E” cargo compartment. The converted B737-700BDSF can carry a total of 10 ULDs - 8 Full 88″X 125″ AAA plus 1 80″X43″ AYK plus 1 88″X79″ AYF, providing a total useful volume of 3673 cu. ft. enabling the plane to carry up to 45,000 lbs.

Yossi Melamed, corporate executive vice president and general manager of Bedek Aviation Group, says, “IAI is proud to add the conversion of 737-700BDSF to the successful portfolio of its developed STCs for cargo conversions of passenger aircrafts. IAI's Bedek Aviation Group has been a key player for over 40 years in the design, development, testing, certification and implementation of modifications and conversions of an endless number of platforms.”