On Monday, March 6, the new Saab 2000F took to the sky for the first time. The aircraft was rolled out at TAM’s (Täby Air Maintenance) workshop where after the pilots, Petter Lundquist and TAM test pilot Åke Wargh, did the extensive pre-flight checks.
This first flight of the Saab 2000F was a mere post-maintenance flight, with a focus on systems tests, as the aircraft had been in the workshops since last autumn for the extensive rebuild as a freighter as well as regular maintenance and avionics upgrade. The flight went well, with all systems working as expected, with further flight testing commencing next week.
The new Saab 2000F cargo conversion, developed in close collaboration with launch customer Jetstream Aviation Capital of Miami, Florida, has been designed with a firm focus on the operators’ needs, having built-in features aimed at maximising operational effectiveness.
“Despite some delays in the conversion process, I am glad to see that we now are back on track with the Saab 2000F,” said Pär Gulle, TAM Managing Director. “We are very much looking forward to adding this new aircraft to our long line of Saab 340 cargo conversions that continue to attract operators world-wide, with a vast number of additional conversions in the coming next 12-18 months. With the Saab 2000F, we can meet any need for a profitable regional cargo aircraft,” Pär Gulle stated.
TAM is an independent aerospace company, focusing on qualified MRO-services as well as modifications and rebuilds of regional airliners. With an FAA/EASA-approved in-house design- and production organisation, TAM also has the leading Saab 340/Saab 2000 cargo conversion programme.