IAI commences 777-300ERSF flight test campaign amid conflict

Israel-based IAI has begun its flight test campaign for the 777-300ERSF prototype despite the war raging between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas. The 2005-vintage freighter (32789, ex-Emirates) took off from Tel Aviv (TLV) today and conducted a four-hour flight over the Mediterranean Sea. This was the 777-300ERSF prototype’s second time taking to the air, having made its first post-conversion, shake-down flight , which lasted about two hours, on March 24. [caption id="attachment_56865673" align="alignright" width="450"] Unit 32789 flew for about four hours today. (Photo/A. Socher Photography)[/caption] Today’s flight was a part of the certification process after completing the ground test certification campaign, and IAI aims to complete it by no later than the end of November, the company told Cargo Facts . IAI is working closely with the regulatory authorities and hopes it will obtain certification shortly after the flight test campaign, it said. IAI, which told Cargo Facts in September that it was hoping to start the flight test campaign around the end of the month, said at Cargo Facts Asia in April that it had inducted its second and third 777-300ERs for conversion . Excluding unit 32789, four 777-300ERs (32788, 32785, 32787 and 32792) are on site, having arrived at TLV in October 2021, September 2022, October 2022 and March 2023, respectively. All five belong to AerCap. Units 32789, 32785, 32787 and 32792 wear registrations associated with Ypsilanti, Mich.-based Kalitta Air, launch operator of the type. The 777-300ERSF prototype was spotted on the tarmac at the IAI facilities at TLV on Jan. 22 for the first time since the large cargo door was installed, after the company pushed the first flight to early 2023 . With its TLV facilities busy converting 777-300ERSFs and 767-300BDSFs — and working on the prototype A330-300BDSF conversion — IAI is growing its conversion line network around the world and plans to induct its first 777-300ER at the Etihad Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi (AUH) by yearend, IAI recently told Cargo Facts . IAI announced last month that it will start using a new hangar at the Ascent Aviation Services facility at Pinal Air Park in Marana, Ariz. (MZJ), in mid-2024. The Sharp Technics K facility in Seoul (ICN) will also host two 777-300ERSF conversion lines. There is less than a month to go until Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place Oct. 25-27 at the Omni San Diego. Learn more about the essential event for stakeholders in the freighter and air cargo industry, and register today .

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