By Vovick Karnozov
AWN Moscow-based columnist

Today, August 19, Boeing announced the launch of a new stage of cooperation with the Ilyushin company. The previous stages have been successfully completed by the time of the MAKS '99. It involved Ilyushin engineers in the work on re-design of some interior elements in the 777, including arch beams. The reason behind this work was to use Russian technologies in making large-sized metal pieces. Using big single-piece panels promises to give considerable savings in manufacturing costs.

The new stage of cooperation is to use Ilyushin experience in conversion of the Il-96 passenger plane into Il-96T freighter. Boeing wants the Russians to participate in conversion of old Boeing 767s from passenger to cargo aircraft. Depending on the model and age of a particular airframe, the 767 would carry from 60-80 tons of cargo. Ilyushin engineers will do some design work for Boeing using workstations at Boeing Technical Research Center in Moscow. Drawings will be made in CATIA system.

Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot is said to be interested in several 767 freighters. The first aircraft for the airline is at the Boeing shops undergoing freighter.

In Aeroflot service, the 767 freighters will replace aging Ilyushin Il-76 transports nearing the end of their assigned lifetimes.