Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) has received approval for its STC (supplemental type certificate, ST02690LA) for the 12-pallet position 737-800SF freighter conversion from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The company already has Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) approval for its 737-800SF.

AEI reported that “multiple” European customers have already expressed interest in the conversion programme.

The company said its converted 737-800SF freighter offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700lbs (23,904kg) and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH. The conversion also incorporates new floor beams aft of the wing box and a large 86” x 137” main cargo door with a single vent door system.

AEI said its design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft a full 16.5” aft of the forward door jamb, “ensuring ground operators have sufficient manoeuvring room which minimises potential door and aircraft strikes”. The 737-800SF also includes an Ancra cargo loading system, a rigid 9g barrier, five supernumerary seats as standard, a galley and full lavatory.

Nine of AEI’s 14 simultaneous freighter conversion production lines are dedicated to the 737-800SF, and the company said it was on course to deliver 24 freighters in 2021 and more than 30 in 2022.