Täby Air Maintenance, TAM, has unveiled the Saab 340 Cargo Generation II, a thorough upgrade of its well-known Cargo Conversion Programme. With about a dozen aircraft converted over the last few years, the Saab 340 Cargo Conversion Programme brings extended life and new commercial opportunities for this popular regional airliner.
The new Cargo Conversion Programme has a focus on weight saving, allowing for increased payload and fuel. Thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber paneling, the main cargo compartment has been redesigned, and the Generation II Cargo Conversion Programme comprises a number of refining upgrades, such as: enlarged cargo bays through reducing the number of nets installed in five instead of earlier eight positions, meaning easier loading and the possibility to load larger cargo units, as well as reduction of aircraft basic empty weight, allowing for more payload. New carbon fiber window blanks further reduce weight compared to previous aluminum window blanks and, overall, total savings on the aircraft’s basic empty weight amounts up to 400 lbs. (180 kg).
The above upgrades will be standard on coming cargo conversions with most of them available for already converted aircraft with a Service Bulletin. The upgrades are based on operational experience as well as customer requirements to further develop Tam’s well-proven SAAB 340A & B cargo conversion STC.
