ew dimension in airfreight
Page 19
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1ELFAST freighter aircraft have ,een introduced into service by 'AC HeavyLift Ltd from 1tansted Airport, Essex. The ihoto (right) shows what a large ivantity of equipment, inluding vehicles, one of the ircraft can carry. This brings a ew dimension into airfreight.
The first of five of these lanes is now operated by eavyLift after the award of a artkficate of Airworthiness by le Civil Aviation Authority. ley were formerly flown by the oyal Air Force.
The first-ever commercial ight by the airline saw a Belfast iave Amsterdam bound for ebha, Libya, fully loaded with )ntainerised farm machinery Ir. the Libyan Council of AgriAlture.
On March 19 the same airaft left Stansted with a cornlete Westland Sea King )licopter on board. The Sea ng is one of the largest miliry helicopters in current proiction and having flown the achine up from Yeovil, the ading proceeded with no )uble: only the rotor head neled to be dismantled.
The fully stressed ramp of the Mast is particularly useful for leeled cargoes such as licopters, aircraft and earthDying machinery as no outside sistance is required.
"We are delighted with the .aightforward introduction of a aircraft," said Captain P. J. Goldrick, managing director TAC HeavyLift.
"There were no problems on ) initial flights and we have en made very welcome at all airports operated through. e sheer size and capacity of the aircraft has surprised many very experienced personnel.
"From a commercial point of view, we are generating many inquiries now that HeavyLift can offer firm dates and coftimitment on the aircraft. The aerospace industry is very alive to what we can achieve, but interest in the aircraft is being shown worldwide in a wide variety of industries."
HeavyLdt recently signed a contract with Marconi Space and Defence Systems Ltd for the transportation of high technology equipment with the first movement last week to Tripoli.
On Friday, another helicopter was delivered to the Far East from Stansted.
Another Belfast freighter will be ready by June, with a third aircraft available by the year's end, The Belfast is the largest specialised freight aircraft in airline service, and it can carry outside cargoes up to 34 tons in weight.
The arrival of a plane with this capacity will have a significant impact on the air cargo market — particularly for large and awkward loads.
A Belfast can, for instance, swallow an entire film unit, including lorries and camera gan tries, in its 25.7m (84ft 4in) hold. Maximum hold height is 4.06m (13ft 4in), width 5m (16ft lin), payload 34,000 kilos (75,0001b) and maximum us able volume 321cum (11,350cuft).
It is claimed that the Belfast can carry 50 per cent more freight (100 per cent more volume) than its nearest equivalent.
TAC HeavyLift (tel Bishop's' Stortford (0279) 57611) will give advice on packing, loading and shipping.