www.Alcoa-SIE.com

Alcoa-SIE Cargo Conversions "ASCC" was formed by the Aluminum Company of America and Structural Integrity Engineering to provide innovative products and services to the air cargo industry. This unique combination of corporate strength and aerospace expertise, coupled with a high degree of responsiveness will provide operators and owners with the most value-added modifications in the industry today. As part of the Alcoa Aerospace, ASCC employs a senior staff of engineering, materials and quality professionals to insure the installation and in-service support meet our customer’s exacting needs. ASCC integrates the capabilities of experienced engineering, manufacturing, and installation vendors and is responsible for all aspects of the product. Through this approach ASCC is able to bring the highest quality product to market, leveraging the cumulative experience of our team at a price level that brings great value to our customers.

Cascade technicians transform this 757-200 into a freighter for ASCC

ASCC has selected the B757-200 passenger to freighter modification as its launch program. This modification program, named the 14Plus or 757-200ASF, is scheduled to be certified in 2005 and will provide ASCC with an opportunity to integrate Alcoa’s advanced aerospace alloys, unique product dimensional capabilities, and new monolithic structural designs with SIE’s conversion engineering capabilities in structure and component design, analysis, and certification. According to ASCC, the 14Plus configuration offers the air cargo industry outstanding utility, quality and value for the conversion of a 757-200 aircraft into a freighter. ASCC’s approach is to develop and supply low risk, low cost cargo conversions, all the while being fully supported by the strength of Alcoa, a Fortune-100 company with $23 billion in annual business and a long history in aviation. The ASCC 14Plus position configuration offers the lowest technical risk due to the simplicity of the design. By keeping the modification simple there are fewer systems and structures impacted, resulting in more commonality to the factory built aircraft and less chance for in service problems downstream.

The ASCC 757-200ASF provides a total of 8,190 cubic feet of cargo volume with a combination of fourteen (14) each 88" x 125" ULD positions and one (1) each half-pallet or LD-4 60.4" x 96" position (also capable of holding a single LD-3 ULD), in addition to the cavernous lower lobes on the 757. The ASCC conversion is also capable of carrying thirteen (13) each 96" x 125" ULD positions as an option. The structural payload of the ASCC 14Plus is between 66,000 and 70,000 lbs., depending on the weight configuration of the input aircraft. Capable of flying in excess of 3,000 nautical miles, this outstanding combination of payload and range makes the ASCC 757-200ASF a natural choice for airlines seeking a regional freighter with the most flexible mission capabilities. With nearly double the range of a 737-300SF, 80% more volume and 60% more payload than the 737-300SF, the ASCC 757-200ASF can provide airlines tremendous upside potential with only marginally increased trip costs versus the much smaller 737 cargo aircraft. ASCC studies show that the 757-200ASF has the lowest direct operating costs per available ton mile of all regional freighter aircraft.

The ASCC 14Plus configuration improves upon previous designs for 757 conversions by utilizing a solid 9G barrier with a sliding crew access door, thus allowing the installation of up to five (5) optional supernumerary seats outside the cockpit. In today’s aviation security environment airlines will appreciate the option of having a hardened cockpit door installed if need be, another key advantage with the ASCC 14Plus configuration. Competing programs do not have the possibility of installing a hardened cockpit door due to the complete reconfiguration of the flight deck required. The ASCC 14Plus flight deck also retains the OEM lavatory and galley as well as the factory built L1 and R1 crew entry doors, providing a commonality, comfort and utility to flight crews on the 6 plus hour sectors that the aircraft is capable of flying. The retention of key aircraft systems also translates into lower costs for the airline as they can utilize existing spare parts and maintenance practices that are available worldwide.

A full sized 138" x 84.5" (clear opening) hydraulically operated main cargo door with an independent hydraulic system and dual actuators for each function is installed as part of the modification. Further, the "Class E" main deck cargo compartment has a dual loop, one-minute smoke detection system with an associated change to the ECS system that ensures compliance with the most stringent regulations and provides for the utmost safety of the crew.

ASCC also decided to retain (with deactivation) the L4 and R4 doors which (when activated) can be used for further cabin ventilation or cabin access during animal charters and with perishable cargo.

The ASCC 14Plus conversion is accomplished at ASCC’s installation center, Cascade Aerospace, in Abbotsford, BC, Canada. Cascade provides heavy maintenance and aircraft modifications in its state-of-the-art 250,000 square foot hangar. Through Cascade Aerospace, ASCC is able to offer its customers the convenience of having the heavy maintenance completed concurrent with the cargo conversion if so desired.

ASCC is also helping aircraft leasing companies to extend the economic life of their assets. By selecting the ASCC 14Plus conversion, a leasing company can increase the marketability of a 757-200 for years to come, doing so in the most economical way. The simplicity of the 14Plus design, in combination with ASCC’s supply chain expertise and raw material leverage provided by Alcoa allows ASCC to offer the 14Plus conversion at a significant price advantage compared to competing programs. As new generation aircraft such as the 787 begin to replace the 757 in passenger service, the 14Plus conversion allows leasing companies to find new lessors with a need to replace first generation narrow body freighters such as the 727 and DC8. Further, cargo conversion provides leasing companies with an exit strategy for distressed assets that might otherwise be subject to falling lease rates in the passenger markets. Working with ASCC, a business unit of Alcoa, provides leasing companies with a strong partner that has the financial wherewithal to weather industry cycles and stand behind their product for the long term.

The globalization of the world’s economies and societies will continue to increase the pressure placed upon the delivery of time sensitive packages and freight. In order to meet these ever increasing demands, aerospace companies will need to continually develop better, faster and more economical ways in which to move the world’s freight. ASCC’s founding members have been active participants in the development of industry leading advancements for over a century. Alcoa, founded in the late 1800’s, is responsible for developing the first process for smelting aluminum in quantity and for developing every structural aluminum alloy flying today. It is this kind of industry leading knowledge and experience that goes into every ASCC product.

Alcoa-SIE Cargo Conversions
3990A Heritage Oak Court
Simi Valley, CA 93063
USA

Tel: +1 805 991 1265
Fax: +1 805 991 1433
www.Alcoa-SIE.com

 

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