Ummm,
Wheelchock - if they are going to use pallets which have been chopped up you've got even
more problems. Let's look at them:
1) chopped up PAGs are not ICAO certified.
2) even if they were, you'd still need to put the strap connection points all around them, per the existing pallets
3) has the aircraft been modified with a roller floor throughout? If not, how do they intend to move these things around? Airborne's containers have wheels attached.
4) has the aircraft's floor been strengthened to carry the additional loading?
5) has the cabin been modified to the current fire detection and suppression standards and smoke barriers fitted?
As for belly cargo, remember that this aircraft still has the UFG fitted and it has the smaller C1 forward cargo door. This means that you can only load LD3s and not pallets.
As for range, the DC8-55 outperforms an L1011-1 - which is a short/medium range aircraft.
I'm convinced LWA are up to something funny with this thing - especially bearing in mind some of the more exotic Bulgarian exports...!
