Cockpit Casual - The Cargo Conversion (Part One) | Cockpit View | Avgeek Series

Did you know that many cargo aircraft start life as passenger aircraft? Presently, Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, Airbus A321, A330, and MD-80s can be converted from "Passenger to Freighter" or (P2F). Soon, the A320 and B-777 will also join the list as new STCs are being developed. This is nothing new of course - 727s, DC-8s, DC-9s, DC-10s, and MD-11s have been converted for years. It's a great way to "recycle" aging airframes and engines and give new life and value to aircraft that still have years left in them.

The Air-Cargo market has remained hot throughout COVID, and many airlines used make-shift "Cabin Freighters" to continue to supplement their bottom line during the tough times from 2020 to 2022. LATAM Cargo, a subsidiary of the LATAM Airline Group is a dedicated all-cargo airline operating the Boeing 767-300-BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter). LATAM (Lan Chile and TAM) operated passenger 767-300ERs for many years, and as they retire them from passenger service, they send them over to Singapore to be converted to full freighters. In doing so, they utilize the expert-services of Steve Giordano and his team at the Nomadic Aviation Group to bring the empty aircraft from the United States to Singapore where the conversions take place over a 3-4 month period.

The Cargo Conversion series follows the journey of a pair of such aircraft: CC-CXE and CC-CXD as they are ferried to Singapore via Anchorage, and then later returned to Miami via Honolulu. In Part One, you'll ride with Steve, Chris, and Tom as they fly these sister ships over to Singapore.

[dscott]

This channel is among the absolute top most well produced and entertaining channels on YouTube, or anywhere else for that matter. 💕

[alikartal]

Pilot, musician, story teller, dramaturgist, director, narrator. All in one. I am awestruck with your videos.

[carlosbolivar]

Love the Jazz !
Steve you might just be the best pilot storyteller out there !

[nurav_]

Beautiful aircraft. It's amazing how you can fly so many different types of aircraft on rotation. I barely remember how to fly the one. XD

[joserausseo]

What an excellent show. Best on YouTube by far, music unbeatable. Hope you can keep us entertain for a long time. My best wishes for you and the OMD crew.

[maddiehorsfall]

Still one of the best programmes anywhere, so good, so good. Glad its and the music is back. Have a watch of a 1970's bbc programme called diamonds in the sky, about civil aviation.

[zk]

Love that md80 cargo plane. U don’t see too many of them.

And i love your videos. You give so much info but it’s done in such a way that it feels organic, and not educational (even though it is). Plus it’s a fascinating life. So much different than your typical airline pilot. Great job….keep up the amazing work.

[minimums]

Brilliant! Always look forward to these videos, the sense of adventure is unmatched. Thanks for sharing!

[timothywalker]

Love the show! Aircraft and jazz, what else does one need 😎

[vaqarkhan]

Now that the trip to USA is over, I have finally sat down to watch the first of the trilogy. Absolutely top notch! The production, the story telling, the voiceover and Dad's music. Voila, perfect recipe.

[ATFDFF]

Thank you so much for taking the time to film, edit, and produce this! Your channel is truly a gem and the content is so interesting. Love, love, love your father’s music as well; please thank him for letting you share it with us!

[gavster_]

Great film as ever. Love that sequence around 17:00. Props for a magic version of Maiden Voyage! 🎶 👍 🎺

[bigtuna]

Can’t wait for part 2! I live in Anchorage so it’s pretty cool to have have you guys in my neck of the woods! Stay safe, cheers 🍻

[donstor]

As a trumpet player who loves jazz and aviation, these videos are top notch. Thank you.

[cdba]

I love everything about your videos. Quality content, no gimmick, no begging for likes, subscriptions, or patreon, just well told stories that are excellently edited and narrated with a wonderful soundtrack. Thank you for doing this. Andy, UK.

[blue]

What a great channel.
Great job!
Love the jazz, perfect combo.
Thanks!

[TheJohnnyandrew]

I use to be a aircraft technician for LATAM here in JFK. I’m glad I’ve found this channel and this video. I met my wife on CC-CXE and traveled on this aircraft between JFK- GYE multiple times. Seeing this video is like seeing an old friend get and upgrade. Multiple memories on this aircraft personal and maintenance wise. This was awesome. Great video. Subscribed

[aaronmalcolm]

Another great video as usual.
I delivered two A320s to Singapore at a very similar time in 2021. Possibly one of them is in the background at the end of the video. I remember seeing LATAM 767s in for cargo conversation when I was there.
Normally our aircraft ferry into Seletar Airport in Singapore for heavy maintenance but had a couple of Changi trips due to COVID.

[rachelcarre]

This is one of the most interesting aviation channels out there! :)

[benwm]

Absolutely brilliant! Your videos are so facinating and entertaining. Please keep up the excellent work!