Passenger To Freighter Conversion Of Aircrafts Engineering Essay

Passenger To can Conversion Of Aircrafts Engineering EssayThe purpose of the report is to provide detailed description for future aerospace engineers on how and why a P2F (also known as PTF or Passenger-to- buns) transmutation is carried out.1.2. BackgroundEver since the clean millennium started, P2F conversions on aircrafts have become more common in the well-behaved aviation industry. Major civil aviation industry companies (Airbus, Boeing, etc.) started researching with designs on how to modify an airframe structure of their ageing passenger jets to burden rears. In conjunction with the current sparing situation, civil aviation logistic companies argon trying to find ways to cut down expenses on replacing older encumbrance freighter aircrafts- purchasing P2F converted aircrafts. Furthermore, P2F conversions extend lifespan of passenger jets, providing first-hand quality P2F committal aircrafts at second-hand cargo freighter damages. Since there is an increase in demand in the cargo freighter industry more companies go away look at P2F conversions .Mainly beca commit it is more economical for the company and they can gain the same amount of revenue at the same time.1.3. MethodologyThe information was gathered from a few websites through the internet, books and magazine references .The content was retrieved from websites like http//www.eads.com , books like, magazines like.1.4. ScopeThe Focused areas are mainly astir(predicate) the structural differences between a freighter aircraft and a passenger aircraft. In addition, the report allow for let in structure of freighter planes. In addition, it will include the pros and cons of P2F and how the conversion is carried out. Lastly, this report includes the technical effects to the aircraft structure.2. P2F Conversion ProceduresThere are various types of P2F conversion procedures. The various procedures are basically created by primary manufacturers (Boeing and Airbus) and various(a) conversion compa nies (EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) and SIAEC (Singapore International Airlines Engineering Company)).As a result , there are many different procedures for a P2F conversion to be complete. The following procedures will be according to the 4-month conversion of the Airbus A310 wide-bodied airliner into the Airbus A310-200F by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW).In the following few paragraphs I will discuss about the different procedures carried out during a P2F conversion procedure. (SPG Media Limited, 2010. Airbus A310-200F Freighter Aircraft-Aerospace Technology online. Available from http//www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/)2.1. Preparation before conversionThe airplanes paintwork is scraped off. Thereafter, a fraction of the passenger cabin is push backn out. The aircraft is then jacked into a achromatic stress point for 4 weeks for the modification of the airframe. With the plane partially empty it is jacked up into a neutral stress point for 4 weeks for the adjustment of the aeroplanes body. (SPG Media Limited, 2010. Airbus A310-200F Freighter Aircraft-Aerospace Technology online. Available from http//www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/)2.2. Plug windowsNow that the aircraft does non carry any more passengers, windows in the aircraft are useless. The windows previously used for passengers to look out of the aircraft are now plugged (covered up). As u can see in the image below, there are no more windows in a freighter aircraft because it saves time on maintenance and for safety reasons. Therefore the windows are plugged.(Marcel van Leeuwen, 2006, Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter Arrives in Seattle online. Civilian aviation impertinents. Available from http//www.aviationnews.eu/2006/09/17/boeing- 747-large-cargo-freighter-arrives-in-seattle/)Figure 2.6 Plugging of Windows (Airbus Freighter Conversion, 2010)2.3. Removal of unwanted materialAnything in the aircraft that is not needed anymore is take from the aircra ft. Passenger- related facilities and structure (like seats and carpet flooring) is take out of the as it does not come in handy for a cargo freighter. This is to make room for the installation of the new freighter equipment. With the removal of senseless material it creates space for the cargo. (SPG Media Limited, 2010. Airbus A310-200F Freighter Aircraft-Aerospace Technology online. Available from http//www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/)2.4. Fitting of cargo doorThe front-end of the fuselage section is opened up in 2 stages for the installation of the cargo door. The upper frame shell is held at its position and is secured by riveting the frame to the fuselage. The old lower frame shell section is substituted with a new lower frame shell that is lowered into the prepared cut-out location and incorporated strongly to the airframe. The frames forward and aft of the cut-out are entirely replaced by reinforced frames. later on the installation of the frames, electric comp mavennts and hydraulic systems are added for the cargo door to operate with ease. (SPG Media Limited, 2010. Airbus A310-200F Freighter Aircraft-Aerospace Technology online. Available from http//www.aerospace- technology.com/projects/a310-200f/)Figure 2.1 Cargo door of Boeing 747-200BDSFhttp//www.iai.co.il/sip_storage/files/6/34576.wmv, 20022.5. induction of new flooringThe normal flooring on a passenger aircraft cannot be used. Hence, the flooring on a passenger plane has to be removed and reinforced with a higher strength floor to resist heavy cargo loads. To move the cargo in the aircraft easily, ball mats and roller tracks are installed onto the cargo flooring. With the new flooring the aircraft can carry more load and be tough at the same time and move the cargo indoors the aircraft easily.(SPG Media Limited, 2010. Airbus A310-200F Freighter Aircraft-Aerospace Technology online. Available fromhttp//www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/)Figure 2.2-cargo loading system of airbushttp//www.eads.com/eads/int/en.html2.6. Final checks after conversionOnce the body of the aircraft has been converted and all thats left to do is to do a final check on the whole aircraft. Firstly, the aircraft avionics is adjusted before tests are carried out. Thereafter, the customer inspects the flight to make sure everything is in on the job(p) condition. However, before the aircraft is handed over to the customer the documentation for the conversion is finalised. With all these procedures done, the P2F conversion is complete. (SPG Media Limited, 2010. Airbus A310-200F Freighter Aircraft-Aerospace Technology online. Available from http//www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/)3. P2F conversions damage pertain3.1 Replacement of ageing Freighters by P2Fs.Since the current condition for the economy is not at a very healthy condition, many aero- logistic companies would scout round for second hand cargo freighters. However, second-hand freighters have n ow reduced in numbers so drastically that most of them will stop flying within a few years. Hence, P2F conversions will supporter solve the problem of ageing cargo freighters in the near future. In 2009, airbus presented their 20-year forecast of their future freighter fleet. In their statistics shown in Fig3.1, Airbus emphasised on P2F conversions as the way to go to solve the problem of freighter insufficiency Therefore, by 2028 more than half the freighters nigh the conception will be P2F converted. This is because P2F conversion requires low cost, shorter time and less material than manufacturing a freighter from scratch, making it a cost effective solution. (J. Leahy, L. Rouaud, 2009. Global securities industryplace forecast 2009-2028 online, 164.Avaialable from http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet= rascal=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet= rogue=page= .)Figure3.1 graph of PTF i n demand (Airbus 2009) http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=page=3.2. Demand of P2F aircraftsP2F conversion will take the freighter industry to a whole different level. In addition, the wider range of freighter types from P2F conversion will create a new generation of small jet freighters (e.g. Airbus A320 P2F).Besides that ,majority of Airbus freighter demand will be aided with P2F conversion as 96% of freighters in 2028 will be P2F aircrafts. This shows that the future of the P2F conversion industry will have a bright future. (J. Leahy, L. Rouaud,2009. Global market forecast 2009-2028 online, 164.Avaialable from http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=page=.)figure3.2 graph on small jet freighters (Airbus 200 9) http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=page=4. Benefits and limitations of P2F conversion contempt its many advantages such as its ability to save money time, material and manpower needed. Alongside, it helps extend an aircrafts life and replaces ageing freighters in the market. However, its disadvantages include acceptable use of market price as well as availability of aircraft. The next few paragraphs will explain and elaborate more on the benefits and limitations of P2F conversion.4.1 Benefits4.1.1 Saves costCompanies around the world who are looking to purchase freighter cargo aircraft would most likely try to save up on anything they can save on. one(a) of the benefits of P2F conversions is that it helps companies save money. A P2F converted aircraft costs nearly one third of a freighter aircraft made from scratch. Since its just part of the aircraft that is reconstructed, it will help save cost on the amount of material used. When there is less work to be done, less manpower is needed. Hence they can save cost by employing fewer engineers to work. Therefore, P2F conversions help save money for companies. (According to Phillip Securities Research (2005), initiating coverage Singapore)4.1.2 Extends aircraft lifeA P2F conversion helps extend an aircrafts life span as well. When an aircraft is more or less reaching its age of retirement it can either be scrapped or reborn again. In this case the aircraft is sent to companies that deal with conversions. The old structure is replaced with new structure in order for it to fly safely. Therefore, P2F conversions help extend the lifespan of an aircraft.(EADS media centre, Rising (like a phoenix online, available from http//www.contentforce.de/iptv/player/macros/_s_eads/_x_s- 35848193/mediacenter.html? altitude=500HYPERLINK http//www.contentforce.de/iptv/player/macros/_s_ead s/_x_s- 35848193/mediacenter.html?height=500width=1024attrs=scrolling=noHYPERLINK http//www.contentforce.de/iptv/player/macros/_s_eads/_x_s- 35848193/mediacenter.html?height=500width=1024attrs=scrolling=nowidth=1024HYPERLINK http//www.contentforce.de/iptv/player/macros/_s_eads/_x_s- 35848193/mediacenter.html?height=500width=1024attrs=scrolling=noHYPERLINK http//www.contentforce.de/iptv/player/macros/_s_eads/_x_s- 35848193/mediacenter.html?height=500width=1024attrs=scrolling=noattrs=scrolling%3Dno) (SIA engineering company websiteprovides information on what P2F conversion is)4.2 Limitations4.2.1 Acceptable used market priceP2F conversions serve as a form of investment for airline companies. If the cost of the conversion is more than the proposed price to sell the aircraft, the owner selling the P2F converted aircraft will incur a loss. In addition, different models of aircraft go through different kinds of conversion processes. Hence, the standard of quality and the workmanship to s et prices for the P2F aircrafts vary widely, which might fleet to underpriced P2F planes. (Hamilton, http//museair.googlepages.com/ThePassingofanUnrecognisedIndustryGi.pdf , 2007)4.2.2 Airframe availabilityIn order to perform a P2F conversion, there must be available airframes. The airframe needs to be from an airworthy passenger jet which is not in service anymore. If not, it would make no sense just to make an aircraft and convert it. Therefore, the number of used jets there are out there is particular(a) to availability. (Hamilton, http//museair.googlepages.com/ThePassingofanUnrecognisedIndustryGi.pdf , 2007)5. ConclusionThe P2F conversion procedure may seem simple to digest. However, it is much more sophisticated compared to the other areas in the aeronautical market. Regardless, the freighter market is shinning their public eye on P2F conversions to give old passenger aircrafts a second chance to fly again as freighters. In addition, P2F aircrafts are able to perform almost as well as new freighters made from scratch. No matter how advanced P2F conversion gets, there are limits for the acceptable used market price. Otherwise, the conversion will result in heavy loss financially.6. RecommendationsP2F conversion is a very profitable market to invest in. Companies dealing with P2F can take one more step by making use of more advanced technology when they are converting aircrafts. It can help save cost by use less material and maybe even with efficiency. Therefore P2F conversions can take one more step ahead by doing more research in this industry as there will be a rise in demand for freighter aircrafts in the future.III. ReferencesSPG Media Limited, 2010. Airbus A310-200F Freighter Aircraft-Aerospace Technology online. Available from http//www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/ Accessed 16 august 2010Marcel van Leeuwen, 2006, Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter Arrives in Seattle online. Civilian aviation news. Available from http//www.aviationn ews.eu/2006/09/17/boeing-747-large-cargo-freighter-arrives-in-seattle/, Accessed 16 august 2010J. Leahy, L. Rouaud,2009. Global market forecast 2009-2028 online, 164.Avaialable from http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=HYPERLINK http//www.airbus.com/en/gmf2009/appli.htm?onglet=page=page= .Accessed 16 august 2010like a phoenix online, available from http//www.contentforce.de/iptv/player/macros/_s_eads/_x_s-35848193/mediacenter.html .Accessed 16 august 2010SIA engineering company websiteprovides information on what P2F conversion is. Accessed 16 august 2010Hamilton,http//museair.googlepages.com/ThePassingofanUnrecognisedIndustryGi.pdf , 2007 Accessed 16 august 2010