Boeing

The first Boeing 757 Special Freighter (SF) lifted off Feb. 15 for its first flight since undergoing passenger-to-freighter modification at Boeing Airplanes Services' Wichita, Kan., facility. The modification was accomplished as part of a total solutions contract with DHL Worldwide Express. The work involved the removal of the passenger furnishings, installation of a side cargo door, replacement of selected floor panels to strengthen the main deck floor, and installation of a cargo handling system. In Special Freighter configuration the 757 is capable of carrying 60,000 pounds (27,210 kg) of cargo more than 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 km) with a volume payload capacity of more than 8,000 cubic feet (226.535 cubic meters).