GECAS and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the joint launch of a 777-300ER passenger-to-freighter conversion program on Oct. 15. More than just a customer for the program, along with IAI, GECAS is co-funding the development of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the 777-300ERSF, which the pair playfully refer to as “The Big Twin” – a reference to the aircraft’s twin engines, and its juxtaposition with the 777 production freighter based on the shorter 777-200 airframe. With a portfolio of more than thirty-five 777-300ERs, GECAS is also providing the conformity aircraft as part of its launch order for up to thirty 777-300ERSF conversions, including 15 firm and 15 options. IAI, meanwhile, will handle engineering aspects of the program. Due to the expense associated with developing a conversion STC for the 777, Boeing and IAI have long been considered as the most likely companies to launch a program for the 777 platform. Both companies have previous experience with 747-400 conversions, and for nearly a decade have been evaluating the launch of a conversion program for the 777. The debate has centered around not only whether a program would ever be launched, but also which variant – the -200ER or the -300ER – would offer the most potential as a conversion.
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