European Cargo A340

[Bigt]

Just read (aircargonews.net) that European have EASA certification for A340 freighter conversion with 39 pods in each aircraft. I`m guessing that whatever the cargo is it has to pass through a passenger door before being stowed in pod?....appears to be a very labour intensive operation. Is that how it works?

[The Flying Stool]

It seems like that along with traditional belly cargo. However, the aircraft must have been purchased very cheaply for a relatively new and capable airframe.

[Self loading bear]

I assume that some kind of roller track system will be used. Something like powerstow roller track

Power stow

.
There is a company with STC for permanent roller tracks on board.
edit (Vallair)

[dixi188]

They were doing a lot of flights to China and JFK out of Bournemouth during Covid. About 70 Tonnes of PPE and Covid test kits each flight.
I think the main deck was loose loaded and everything just netted and strapped down like we used to do on the Herald, just much more of it.
Belly holds would be containers.

[sealo0]

From our local newspaper

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23...ight-aircraft/

[cosmiccomet]

It would be good to know how long it takes to load 76 tons in those cargo holds in the main cabin area.

[EGGW]

The main cabin has "Pods" that have been installed with fire protection. The belly cargo would be loaded with standard ULDs and maybe loose loaded/nets in the bulk cargo. The company has EASA approval (Maleth Aero 9H reg 340-600s) and is hoping for UK CAA approval shortly. More conversions should happen. A nice bunch of people. Lets hope it works out.

EGGW.

[Deep and fast]

Went into administration today. It’s all over for the big bird with the boxes.
Good luck to the staff looking for pastures new.