Wanted: Boeing 767 converted freighters

   Boeing next year will convert three 767-300 Extended Range passenger planes to freighters for Guggenheim Aviation Partners, an aircraft leasing company.
   ST Aerospace Services Co. of Singapore will actually perform the work with engineering oversight by Boeing, the company said.
   “We believe the 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter, with performance characteristics similar to a 767 production freighter, provides a flexible, economic and attractive option for the medium haul freighter market and we look forward to delivering this to our clients in 2013,” Guggenheim Aviation Partners’ Chief Executive Officer Steve Rimmer said.
   The conversions mark the first time that a 767 with blended winglets will be converted to a freighter. The 767-300 conversion is the only 767 conversion that is compatible with performance-improving blended winglets.
   The 767-300BCF has cargo capacity of up to 52 tons at a range of about 3,300 nautical miles. The winglets provide about 5.5 percent fuel savings on a 3,000-mile trip. There are 24 pallet positions on the freighter’s main deck.
   The conversion includes the addition of a side cargo door, strengthening of the main deck floor, replacement of the wall and ceiling liners, new floor panels and tracks to accommodate the future installation of a cargo-handling system.