Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Boeing has launched a 737-800NG freighter conversion program on the basis of orders and commitments for up to 55 conversions from seven customers, the company announced Wednesday. Dubbed the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), the program marks Boeing’s first ever conversion offering involving the 737NG series. The company expects operators to use the airplanes mainly to carry express cargo on domestic routes.&nbsp; &nbsp;

 


“The Next-Generation 737 provides exceptional value to express freight carriers through its superior payload, range, reliability and efficiency,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes Commercial Aviation Services senior vice president Stan Deal. “While the recovery of the global cargo market has been slow, we see demand for freighters, such as the 737-800BCF, that will carry express cargo on domestic routes...Over the next 20 years, Boeing forecasts customers will need more than 1,000 converted freighters the size of the 737, with China’s domestic air freight carriers accounting for nearly one-third of the total market.”

 


The 737-800BCF carries up to 52,800 pounds (23.9 metric tons) of cargo, flying routes of nearly 2,000 nautical miles (3,690 kilometers).

 


Twelve pallet positions—11 standard pallets and one half-pallet—provide 5,000 cu ft (141.5 cubic meters) of cargo space on the main deck, supplemented by two lower-lobe compartments providing more than 1,540 cu ft (43.7 cubic meters) of space for revenue-generating cargo.

 


Boeing has won firm orders for a total of&nbsp;30 737-800BCFs along with commitments for another 25. YTO Airlines, based in Hangzhou, China, has ordered 10 conversions and signed commitments for another 10; China Postal Airlines, based in Beijing, has ordered 10 conversions and GE Capital Aviation (GECAS), which has agreed to provide the initial airplane for conversion, has ordered five conversions. Meanwhile, an unannounced customer has ordered five conversions and placed two commitments.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


Other signatories for a total of 13 commitments included SF Airlines, based in Shenzhen, China; Cargo Air, based in Sofia, Bulgaria, and another unidentified customer.

 


Boeing expects to deliver the first 737-800BCF in the fourth quarter of 2017.

 


Plans call for existing passenger airplanes to undergo modification at “select” facilities located near conversion demand, including Boeing Shanghai. Modifications include installing a large main-deck cargo door, a cargo-handling system and accommodations for up to four non-flying crewmembers or passengers.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Boeing Launches Next-Generation 737 Freighter Conversion

First example scheduled for delivery in fourth quarter of 2017

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Globally, operations were flat for 2024, Jefferies reports

Bizjet Departures Tick Up in Dec., Remain Even for Year

Matt Thurber

Company's backlog is 79 Falcons, and 2024 orders reached 26

Dassault Delivers 5 More Falcon Business Jets in 2024

Curt Epstein

The OEM saw a 15-unit increase from 2023

Embraer Executive Jets Finishes Off 2024 Strong

AmyWilder

Aircraft ready for immediate operations in U.S.

Dassault Falcon 6X Delivered in U.S. with Nimbl Support

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Company progressing towards hover-to-cruise transition flights

Vertical Starts Piloted Thrustborne Flights With VX4 eVTOL 

Jessica Reed

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Henry Brooks of Collins Aerospace will serve as chair of the board

GAMA Announces 2025 Executive Committee Leadership Team

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

More In Aircraft

Bizjet Departures Tick Up in Dec., Remain Even for Year

Globally, operations were flat for 2024, Jefferies reports

Dassault Delivers 5 More Falcon Business Jets in 2024

Company's backlog is 79 Falcons, and 2024 orders reached 26

Embraer Executive Jets Finishes Off 2024 Strong

The OEM saw a 15-unit increase from 2023

Dassault Falcon 6X Delivered in U.S. with Nimbl Support

Aircraft ready for immediate operations in U.S.

Vertical Starts Piloted Thrustborne Flights With VX4 eVTOL

Company progressing towards hover-to-cruise transition flights

GAMA Announces 2025 Executive Committee Leadership Team

Henry Brooks of Collins Aerospace will serve as chair of the board

Qatar Executive's G700 Fleet Grows with Two Additions

Carrier has six Gulfstream G700s in its fleet and awaits four more

Business Aircraft Flying Soars Higher in December

Strong North American market boosts overall activity

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN