Last Saturday we got a “heads-up” that Capt. Gopinath’s new cargo airline Deccan 360 had sent one of it freighters to Bangalore for flying practice.
At the old HAL airport we caught VT-AIO doing touch and go’s.
This plane commenced it’s career as 9V-STE with Singapore Airlines in 1994. In 2005 it was leased to Air India and was re-registered as VT-AIO. The plane was named after the river “Vaigai“
In 2008 it was sent to Dresden in the former East Germany to be converted in to a freighter by EADS, EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH).
The conversion itself takes approximately four months. After removal of all structural and system components that are no longer needed such as seats or floor structures, the new freighter kits are installed. These conversion kits consist of a cargo door which is 141 inch wide and 101 inch high, and the related structural parts. The cabin floor designed for passengers is replaced by a new floor structure with higher strength. Ball mats and roller tracks for loading of containers complement the conversion of the floor structure. Necessary adjustments and completions of the aircraft systems are carried out.
VT-AIO now bears the bright eye catching livery of Deccan 360. Enjoy the images. Click on the images for a high resolution view.
Just Me 