"Combi Configuration" Will Accommodate 45 Passengers, 10 Cargo Pallets

An airline and and engineering firm plan to convert a standard Boeing 757-200 aircraft into what they call a "Combi Configuration", which will allow for 45 passengers and up to 10 cargo pallets. The conversion is being planned by Global Aviation Holdings' North American Airlines and the aerospace division of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), which jointly announced the agreement last week.

"The B-757 Combi will be utilized on routes where our customers require the shipment of heavy supplies as well as personnel," said Brian Bauer, Chief Commercial Officer of Global Aviation. "As a long-time operator of the passenger Boeing 757, North American will be able to offer customers a seamless upgrade using this modern and fuel-efficient platform."

"This agreement is a vote of confidence in our strong MRO and engineering track record in the U.S. and our capability to offer tailored solutions to meet customers' special operating requirements," said General (Retired) John G. Coburn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VT Systems. "We look forward to supporting North American Airlines with a complete solution – from design and development to implementing the conversion at our MRO facilities."

B757-200

VT Systems' aerospace division, which owns maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Mobile and San Antonio, is the largest private employer in Mobile, and the largest private independent MRO employer in San Antonio. Managed by ST Aerospace as part of its global network of MRO facilities, these facilities have been performing heavy maintenance and modification works for numerous aircraft types, including the Boeing 757. The Mobile facility previously designed and converted two Royal New Zealand Air Force 757-200 passenger aircraft into multi-role combination configuration. It also jointly developed the engineering solution with Boeing for the 757-200 passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversion and redelivered 17 converted freighters to Boeing's customer DHL. It is currently performing PTF conversions for FedEx Express, following the award of a conversion contract for 87 Boeing 757-200 aircraft. ST Aerospace is the aerospace arm of ST Engineering.

FMI: www.vt-systems.com, www.flynaa.com