McDonnell Douglas DC-10 facts for kids
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is an American three-engine medium- to long-range widebody airliner, with two engines mounted on underwing pylons and a third engine at the base of the vertical stabilizer. The model was a successor to the company's DC-8 for long-range operations, and competed in the same markets as the Airbus A300, Boeing 747, and Lockheed L-1011 Tristar, which has a similar layout to the DC-10.
Production of the DC-10 ended in December 1988 with 386 delivered to airlines and 60 to the U.S. Air Force as air-to-air refueling tankers, designated the KC-10 Extender. The DC-10 was succeeded by the related McDonnell Douglas MD-11 which entered service in 1990.
Development
Douglas Aircraft began design studies based on its CX-HLS design. In 1966, American Airlines offered a specification to manufacturers for a widebody aircraft smaller than the Boeing 747 but capable of flying similar long-range routes from airports with shorter runways. The DC-10 became McDonnell Douglas's first commercial airliner after the merger between McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967. The DC-10 was first ordered by launch customers American Airlines with 25 orders, and United Airlines with 30 orders and 30 options in 1968. The DC-10, a series 10 model, made its first flight on August 29, 1970. Following a flight test program with 929 flights covering 1,551 hours, the DC-10 was awarded a type certificate from the FAA on July 29, 1971 It entered commercial service with American Airlines on August 5, 1971 on a round trip flight between Los Angeles and Chicago. United Airlines began DC-10 service on August 16, 1971.[6] The DC-10's similarity to the L-1011 in terms of passenger capacity and launch in the same timeframe resulted in a head to head sales competition which affected profitability of the aircraft.
Images for kids
-
A prototype during flight testing, the DC-10 made its first flight on August 29, 1970.
-
Continental Airlines six-abreast interior in 1973
-
The DC-10 has a three-crew cockpit including a flight engineer.
-
The initial DC-10-10, powered by three GE CF6s, has two main landing gears.
-
The heavier DC-10-30 has an additional center landing gear.
-
The heavy DC-10-40 is powered by three Pratt & Whitney JT9Ds.
-
The DC-10 Twin concept
-
The KC-10 Extender, a USAF aerial tanker
-
The MD-10 has an MD-11-inspired two-crew glass cockpit.
-
Biman Bangladesh Airlines was the last operator of the DC-10 in passenger service.
-
The schematic of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (side, top, front, cross-section)
.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: McDonnell Douglas DC-10 para niños
