The Fleet

The Fleet

Southern currently operates seventeen B747-200 freighter aircraft equipped with General Electric CF6-50E2 turbine engines. Within the realm of wide-body freighter aircraft, the superior capabilities of the B747-200F are well known. No other wide-body freighter can match the lift and range of the B747, and Southern’s series 200Fs offer the added advantage of uniform GE power. As a result, Southern is able to maintain its position as one of the most reliable, lowest cost wide-body air cargo providers in the industry.

Since the founding of the company, Southern has been committed to operating only aircraft powered by General Electric engines. The CF6-50E2 powered B747-200F is one of the most cost-efficient freighter aircraft in the world, providing superior fuel burn performance versus Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce powered B747-200Fs. Additionally, tonnage mile costs for these aircraft are significantly lower than any competing Stage III wide-body aircraft.

The uniformity of our fleet allows for significant economies of scale with regard to our maintenance and operations, which in turn creates a higher level of performance and reliability for our customers. The standard features of the B747-200F are listed below:

Maximum Taxi Weight lb (kg) 836,000 (379,203)

Maximum Takeoff Weight lb (kg) 833,000 (377,842)

Maximum Landing Weight lb (kg) 630,000 (285,763)

Maximum Zero Fuel Weight lb (kg) 590,000 (267,619)

Est Operational Empty Weight (No Tare) lb (kg) 343,500 (155,809)

Maximum Structural Payload lb (kg) 246,500 (111,811)

Tare-pallets lb (kg) 13,000 (5,897)

OEW+Tare lb (kg) 356,500 (161,706)

Maximum Revenue Payload lb (kg) 233,500 (105,914)

Main Deck Volume * cu ft (cu m) 20,549 (582)

Lower Deck Volume (No bulk) cu ft (cu m) 4,525 (128)

Total Volume cu ft (cu m) 25,074 (710)

Fuel Capacity U.S. Gal 52,035

Cruising Speed 575 MPH 925 KM/H

Maximum Payload Range 3550 Statute Miles 5712 KM

* Twenty-Nine Pallets

Southern’s B747-200Fs include both aircraft with standard side cargo doors and those with side cargo doors and nose doors, providing increased flexibility for loading and unloading cargo. The charts below list aircraft schematics and pallet positions for Southern’s fleet.

Nose Door Main Cargo Door

Main Deck

Twenty-nine 96- x 125-in pallet positions

Lower Hold

Nine 96- x 125-in pallets 800ft³ bulk