AvNews- Kalitta takes delivery of first 777-300 freighter

Earlier this morning, October 24, 2024, Michigan based Kalitta Air took delivery of the first ever Boeing 777-300ERSF freighter. SN 32789, now registered as N778CK started its journey to its new home the day before when it made a 10 hour & 45 minute flight from Tel Aviv, Israel to Bangor Maine. After an overnight stay in BGR the aircraft flew its second leg on an hour and a half flight to the companies maintenance base in Oscoda Michigan
The aircraft started its life when it was delivered to Emirates as A6-EBB in March 2005 where it flew until 2020 when it was returned to the leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services or GECAS for short. It was then re-registered as EO-IHW. Between 2020 and 2021 the aircraft was stored at San Bernardino, SBD in California when it was re-registered again to N557CC. In February 2021 the aircraft was ferried from San Bernardino to Tel Aviv, TLV to start its conversion by Israeli Aerospace Industries or IAI. In March 2023, the aircraft now owned by AerCap who acquired GECAS, was re-registered to N778CK to reflect it being leased to Kalitta Air. On March 24, 2023, N778CK would take its first test flight after being in conversion for the past two years. The flight would last almost 2 hours. This would be the first of many test flights while getting its certification.
N778CK is the first ever Boeing 777-300 and also one of the first few 777s in general to undergo a passenger to cargo conversion. Since conversion, the letters ERSF have been added to the aircrafts designation which stands for Extended Range Special Freighter. The majority of the conversion consists of reinforcing the aircrafts floor structure and adding a cargo door to the aft section of fuselage. The new -300ERSF has a cargo capacity of 28900 cubic feet. This is almost 6000 cubic feet or 25% more than the 777F which is based off the -200 version of the aircraft. The 300ersf has room for 47 standard sized pallets which is 8 more than the 747-400 freighter and 10 more than the 777-200 freighter.
Headquarted at Willow Run in Michigan, Kalitta Air operates a fleet of more than 20 Boeing 747 cargo aircraft. The airline also has a smaller fleet of 5 Boeing 777-200 freighters which entered into service June of 2019. The airline also operated a fleet of Boeing 767-300 aircraft it had converted starting in August 2019 before the 767 exiting the fleet in October 2022. In addition to 778CK, IAI has converted SN 32785 which is now registered as N779CK. The second 777-300ERSF has been painted in the full Kalitta Air livery and is expected to be delivered soon. Although finally delivered, the first of Kalitta’s 777-300s is not quite ready to enter service as it is still undergoing its certifications. No time line has been made public for its revenue entry.

[javacup]

Wow, Kalita and IAI still around? I remember flying the DC8-61, and a few were ferried to IAI in the mid to late 90s, for engine and pylon change from JT3-3 to -7, and the long duct, and the airplanes became DC8-61LD. IAI did great job. They are experts in cargo conversions. Nice to see they are still around today!

[skipfrary]

“777-ERSF has room for 47 standard sized pallets, which is 8 more than the 747-400 Freighter” WOW, that’s one long lady. The Loadmaster earns his/her money keeping the bottom of that tail shiny !

[garyanddarlenesbeachcondo]

I worked at DTW as an FAA ATC. We handled Detroit, DTW, YIP and a few small a/fs. At that time, 1967-1077 when I transferred to ORD, Kaliyah had two twin beech BE 18s. What a difference a day makes.😄😄😄

[mlcochran]

Awesome! Hope it comes to visit me at ATL

[espeescotty]

I love it, but I'm afraid it'll start pushing the 747's out the door...especially the converted 747-400's.

[chandrachurniyogi]

a cargo conversion of the B777-300 ER to B777-300 ERF makes more sense than the B777-300 . . .