NORD-FLYG ORDERS Q400 PACKAGE FREIGHTERS FROM CASCADE AEROSPACE

Swedish operator Nord-Flyg has ordered two "Q400-PF Package Freighter" conversions from Cascade Aerospace Inc. - which will be the first of their kind in the world. Cascade will convert the first aircraft to Q400-PF configuration at its heavy maintenance and modification facility in Abbotsford, B.C. Canada, and will deliver the second in kit form to Nord-Flyg who will have the kit installed in their second aircraft at a yet-to-be-disclosed facility in Europe. Nord-Flyg acquired the two Bombardier Q400 aircraft from SAS in March 2008. The first Q400-PF aircraft is expected to be completed by August 2008.

The Q400-PF Package Freighter is based on a similar conversion Cascade produced for the Government of France which was a multi-role Airtanker, dubbed by Cascade as the Q400-MR. Cascade designed, built, certified and delivered two Q400-MR multi-role Airtankers to France in 2005, which today are used in the passenger, aerial fire control and cargo roles.

The Q400-PF Package Freighter will be of similar design, and use the existing Cascade STC, except that the PF will employ a multi-zone, vertical net system to accommodate packages which, for Nord-Flyg, are typically mail packages.

Cascade designed, certified and built a similar "vertical net" Package Freighter conversion for installation in Bombardier’s CRJ200 aircraft, and has sold two CRJ200PF kits to a Europe-based leasing company.

"The Cascade Q400-PF Package Freighter will be appreciated as additional "work horse" to Nord-Flyg’s present freighter fleet and will modernize the present aging turboprop cargo fleets in Europe", says Nord- Flyg President, Ulf Darenius. "Nord-Flyg is convinced that this new generation turboprop will be welcomed by the industry, because of its ability to perform at jet-like speeds on both long and short haul routes" he added. Nord-Flyg’s future Q400PF fleet will open up an entirely new segment of freighter operations in a very competitive, efficient, most environmental friendly and operationally reliable product. Nord-Flyg, which owns a fleet of three turboprop Cessna 208B Caravans and one twin piston Piper 31 Navajo, can trace its ancestry back to the early 1950s.

Cascade Aerospace Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company providing program & fleet management, heavy maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification services for commercial and military transport aircraft. Cascade is the prime contractor in providing full fleet management services for Canada’s fleet of C-130 aircraft Canada’s Department of National Defence, and provides on-going heavy maintenance services to Alaska Airlines, WestJet and others. With a reputation for excellence, Cascade currently employs over 700 people at its state-of-the-art, eight narrow body bay facility at the Abbotsford International Airport.
(CRJ200-PF is shown in photo below)