Cargo North – Ten Tons of Cargo
THUNDER BAY – Aviation in Northwestern Ontario is taking another giant leap forward. On Thursday, March 6th, Cargo North is getting set to put their second brand new Basler BT-67 aircraft into service.
“This is the second Basler BT-67 to join our fleet”, stated Frank Kelner. “We have had one in service for over a year”.
“This is the most commonly used aircraft in the Antarctic, and the high Arctic. The Basler BT-67 has handled the extreme cold of our winter with ease”
“Our customers really want to see the second aircraft, it is a must to having the capacity to meet their needs. This additional capacity will allow us to meet all the requirements of our present and future customers in Northwestern Ontario”.
“Typically we fly in 10,000 pounds of groceries into to the community”, comments Kelner. “With a thirty minute turnaround we can reconfigure the aircraft to accommodate 18 passengers and up to 6000 pounds of freight or baggage for a side trip such as inter-community and then return home”.
This flexibility allows Cargo North, and North Star Air to fly passengers and vital cargo across the north with ease.
The Basler BT-67 is an aircraft in a class of its own.
Cargo North’s two brand new Basler BT-67 aircraft offer arguably the most efficient, reliable heavy lift aircraft platform available in northern Ontario.
The research indicates that the Basler is simply the most competitive and cost efficient aircraft in the marketplace today for trip segment lengths under 300 miles.
It is capable of short take-off and landing, in the harshest conditions and is capable of operating from ice, snow, short gravel airstrips, and skis. It cruises at a speed of 220 miles per hour, and carries payloads up to 11,000 pounds of freight or 6,800 liters of bulk fuel depending on trip distance.
The Basler is equipped with state of the art avionics, highly reliable fuel efficient turbine engines, full de-ice systems, an extra large cargo door, high cube space and the ability to handle large, heavy, bulky loads. It is possible to haul freight/bulk fuel combi loads utilizing a 3,400-liter fuel bladder as an added advantage of flexibility. The aircraft is also equipped with a roller floor for quick and efficient loading and off-loading.
Finally, the Basler requires very little downtime for maintenance due to its inherent simple design. The Basler maintenance schedule requires only regular scheduled inspections accomplished at normal intervals and this can often be accomplished overnight. There are no required heavy maintenance checks that would remove the aircraft from service for an extended period of time.
Northwestern Ontario’s far north has many communities that are fly-in access only. Air cargo is a vital link for food, fuel, and supplies as well as medical transportation/evacuation.
“Connecting with the north, is what I spend most of my time doing, that is my environment”, stated Kelner.
For More Information:
Visit Cargo North online: www.cargonorth.ca
Visit North Star Air on Facebook.
