Collins Aerospace’s quick-turn changeover for passenger aircraft enables fleet flexibility

Collins Aerospace Systems has developed and implemented a multi-tiered solution that converts passenger aircraft into a cargo configuration, allowing airlines fleet flexibility to transport critical medical materials, goods and other freight in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The quick-turn conversion, available for any passenger aircraft model, can be completed in as few as seven days and involves removing seats to allow a substantially higher volume of cargo carriage on the main deck floor. The aircraft can easily be converted back to a passenger configuration when the airline desires.

Through its Integration Engineering facility in Everett, Washington, Collins Aerospace has an extensive history in aircraft modifications and is able to offer Engineering Order (EO) solutions for rapid conversion as well as Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for cabin modifications to carry greater weight and various cargo types for longer-term flexibility. Cabin reconfiguration solutions may be implemented with the FAA or EASA approvals.