WIX Archives
CERTIFICATION!
Posted by bdk on Wed Jan 30, 2002 07:08:32 PM
In reply top Re: Not a warbird question posted by Julian on Wed Jan 30, 2002 06:34:47 PM
It is VERY expensive to get a military airplane certified for commercial use. They are designed to different load factors for one. The other issue is that the production quantity is much lower than a 767 for instance, so the cost per unit is higher. The infrastructure for maintaining a 767 freighter is also readily available to the airlines or at contract maintenance facilities. It is especially convenient if you already operate 767's in passenger service.
Many of the freighters in use are convertible between passenger use and cargo use. As needs change, the aircraft can be sold to different operators and reconfigured. there is also the "Combi" aircraft, which carries half cargo and half passengers.
The MD-17 commercial C-17 variant is now the BC-17X, following the Boeing naming convention more closely. It has been submitted to the airlines under the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) Act. Most US airlines are part of this- they get money to provide airplanes for military purposes during times of crisis. The airlines have been offered the C-17 for cargo use- and the USAF would pay them whether they utilize the airplane or not- kind of like insurance. This would reduce the cost to the USAF (they would not need to purchase or maintain the aircraft), and provide a viable outsize cargo aircraft to commercial operators.
The BC-17X is under certification right now, but it is a slow process that has been further interrupted by recent events. The airlines are not presently on solid footing, and the USAF wants all the C-17's they can get as soon as possible. I think the BC-17 will happen, it's just a matter of time!
Check the link for more info! (and yes, I do work for Boeing in case you haven't figured it out yet...)
: I suppose in some cases it's commonality with the rest of
: the fleet, ie spares and such, plus maybe military transpo
: rts tend to be more expensive to buy - I think the majorit
: y of freighters are converted pax aircraft aren't they? Pl
: enty of geriatric jets out there now, nice and cheap and r
: ipe for conversion! And quite a few newer ones - see Fligh
: t this week for some pics of the fleets laid up at Mojave
: and Victorville in California.
:
: MDD did propose a civvie C-17 but I don't think it ever we
: nt anywhere. In fact if memory serves Lockeed did a propos
: al for civvie C-5s and C-141s.
:
: There used to be quite a few civvie Hercs ("L-100s")about,
: TIA, Alaskan, Pacific Western, Southern International and
: Safair, though what happened to them all I've no idea...
: lost touch I'm afraid!
:
: Always had a soft spot for the old Tramp 707 and DC-8 frei
: ghters! Useful for lugging unairworthy warbirds about!
:
: Cheers... and very best wishes Scott
:
: Julian
Buy a BC-17X here- use the new shopping cart feature!