Saab 340 conversions pick up pace with C&L Aviation conversion line

Maine-based C&L Aviation is finishing up touch labor on a Saab 340B freighter conversion (355, ex-Japan Air Commuter) and will soon deliver the aircraft to Florida-based operator Legends Airways. The freighter is the third of six that C&L is converting for Legends Airways at its Bangor (BGR) facility, according to a supplemental type certificate developed by Sweden’s Taby Air Maintenance (TAM). [caption id="attachment_416491" align="alignright" width="560"] The Saab 340B conversion features a cargo door. (Photo/C&L Aviation)[/caption] After a roughly decadelong hiatus from converting Saab 340A model aircraft to freighter configuration, C&L told Cargo Facts that it has been planning a return to Saab 340 conversions with the B model for a few years now, though the conversion line has only recently gained momentum amid the heightened interest in regional freighters. The six Saab 340Bs joining the Legends Airways fleet as freighters were previously owned by C&L, which in addition to providing conversions and MRO services for regional aircraft also maintains spare parts and aircraft trading divisions. Legends Airways agreed earlier this year to purchase six Saab 340s from C&L Aviation following conversion to freighter configuration. Two aircraft (361 and 419, both ex-Japan Air Commuter) have already been converted at C&L’s Bangor (BGR) facility and have been redelivered to the FAA Part-135 operator. C&L expects to finish the remaining trio of conversions by yearend. Based on having one full-time conversion line, C&L Aviation expects it could convert more Saabs in 2022 and in subsequent years if demand warrants it and feedstock is available. “We could potentially do another nine or ten aircraft next year,” CEO Chris Kilgour told Cargo Facts. While C&L has seen “a lot” of inquiries for conversions, Kilgour said, most prospective Saab 340B freighter operators are searching for immediate capacity. Touch labor for the conversion takes just six weeks. However, when factoring in time for maintenance and painting, which are normally done in conjunction, the process takes about three months from start to finish, Kilgour said. Feedstock availability will eventually be a limiting factor for the turboprop — which ceased production in 1999 — but with the availability of OEM support and spare parts, that isn’t currently an issue. “I would estimate at the moment in the market, there’s probably another twenty aircraft potentially for feedstock,” Kilgour said. Twelve ex-Silver Airways Saab 340s are parked at BGR, along with a few others. STC holder TAM, for its part, continues to convert aircraft at its Orebro (ORB) facility, and recently inducted (336, ex-Seaborne Airlines) for Jetstream Aviation Capital . Operators that have recently added the aircraft type include Estonia-based Nyx Air and U.K.-based RVL Aviation . The Swedish conversion house and MRO is again lifting its redelivery targets for 2021. At the start of the 2020, TAM predicted six to eight redeliveries for the year — already a record. It is now on track to redeliver ten Saab 340B freighters, including Legends’ remaining backlog moving through BGR. “In Orebro, we are currently converting our second Saab 340 this year and have another two on order,” Par Gulle, CEO of TAM, told Cargo Facts . “It has really been picking up this year.” Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place LIVE October 25-27 at the Wynn Las Vegas, is the essential event for stakeholders in the air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactssymposium.com .

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