World's first Airbus A320P2F ( Passenger to Freighter ) , converted by ST Engineering , made it's maiden test Flight !

World's First A320 P2F is Here !

Ex-Indigo Airlines and 2006 built Airbus A320-232 is all set to get a second life as a 'freighter' after it completed it's duty as a 'passenger' aircraft for around 15 years with different airlines, among whom are 'Latam Brasil'  and  'TAM Linhas Aereas' airlines using it under registration PR-MBB.

On 8th December 2021, the Converted aircraft took to the skies for the first time as a freighter, carrying out a test flight, after the joint venture Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) created by Airbus and ST Engineering, could achieve the modification of the first the A320 Passenger-to-Freighter aircraft - the A320P2F.

The A320/A321P2F conversion programmes, launched in 2015, are the result of a collaboration between ST Aerospace, Airbus and EFW. ST Aerospace is responsible for the engineering development phase, up to obtaining the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Airbus contributes to the programme with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) data and certification support, while EFW leads the overall programme and marketing & sales.

Back to the newest development, the test flight took place at ST Engineering’s facilities in Seletar Aerospace Park after the conversion program to freighter configuration commenced at that facility in the month of March current year.

Conversion work carried out by the EFW at the ST Engineering’s facility for the A320P2F !

• A main-deck cargo door in the forward fuselage on the left side, hydraulically actuated and electrically locked and measuring 142” width and 85” height
• A 9G rigid cargo barrier with a lightweight and durable design for optimal usage of available space
• A light-weight cargo lining
• A manually operated cargo loading system with full support of industry standard narrowbody ULDs
• The reinforced floor panels & floor grid to cater for higher running loads
• A industry compliant Class-E cargo compartment

Next Phase of the Journey !

Upcoming next is the certification phase - the converted aircraft (MSN2737) will continue with few more test flights to demonstrate compliance to obtain the aircraft’s Supplemental-Type-Certificate, to be issued to EFW by EASA.

After Supplemental type certification, the aircraft will be leased by the aviation leasing arm of the ST Engineering - ST Engineering Aerospace Resources (STEAR), to the Vaayu Group for a service entry as a freighter in 2022.

The Freighter Capacity !

The newest aircraft in the freighter market -  A320P2F offers a cargo capacity of 10 ULD containers and one pallet location on the main deck ; and seven ULD containers on the lower deck area. The total volume can carry upto 21 tonnes of payload over 1800nm and up to 2560nm with 17 tonnes with the lowest fuel burn in its class.

 Life History Of  First A320P2F ( MSN2737 )   !                                                      

EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH) is a 55:45 joint venture of ST Aerospace and Airbus, based in Dresden, Germany.  EFW combines various aviation and technology activities under one roof, including passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions, maintenance and repair of Airbus aircraft, and the development and manufacturing of flat fibre-reinforced composite components for structures and interiors of the entire Airbus family of aircraft.

Apart from being the exclusive supplier for composite flat panels to Airbus for all Airbus aircraft, EFW serves as ST Aerospace’s centre for passenger-to-freighter conversions, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), as well as engineering services in Europe, leveraging ST Aerospace’s global network, track record and expertise in aircraft MRO and engineering. 

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