Burbank Aeronautical (BAC) is restarting its Boeing 707 hushkit line after almost a year's suspension due to market uncertainty over the impact of European Union (EU) regulations on operations of aircraft modified with hushkits for Stage 3 compliance.
"We stopped deliveries last year, even though we had got certification for the 707-300 in November 1998" says BAC marketing director, Tom McGuire. "We had aircraft lined up, but because of the EU situation everyone backed out, so we froze the production line."
"We have now opened the doors again for the 707, and are completing work on a second aircraft. We will soon have a couple of freighters lined up". McGuire says new business for the 707 hushkit is coming from Latin America, with more expected from the Middle East. However, BAC admits that the EU debate has dampened the overall potential 707 conversion market down to "below 50".
BAC plans to start flight tests of the DC-8-50/61 hushkit this month, and hopes to achieve supplemental type certification (STC) by September. The kit is 80% common with the 707 kit. The market for the DC-8-50/61 is estimated at around 45 aircraft, says McGuire who says almost all the candidate aircraft are based in the USA.
BAC also plans to restart certification work on winglet modification around July, initially for the 707, with the STC expected around October, says McGuire. The firm has completed work on a "lightweight" Stage 3 modification for the 707-100 series. The package includes flap setting changes and modifications to operating procedures "similar to Raisbeck" says BAC. The modification was completed on a 707-138 owned by actor John Travolta.
Source: Flight International
