Airlines don't want DC-10s -- too expensive to operate compared to a 777 or 767 with similar capacity. However, that makes them 'cheap' by aircraft standards, they fly reasonably well, and with a few exceptions, are well built and strong.
The design defects that cause issues with passenger use (weak floors, flat pressure bulkhead at the rear of the fuselage, inadequate tail surface, engine issues, etc) aren't problems with hauling cargo. Since they are in use currently with the Air Force, parts are readily available at reasonable prices, hard to turn them down. FedEx bought a bunch of them when the airlines retired them, I'd guess will fly them until they either become too relatively expensive compared to retired 777 or 767 aircraft or the military retires them and parts dry up. It's all about the lowest cost for the most freight hauled, and fuel consumption isn't the only thing to consider! I don't think Lockheed ever got a freight variant certified. The 747 is a bit stronger, as it was designed to meet the military spec for the aircraft that ended up as the C5A -- if you can find it, the photograph of the first production model standing on it's tail (with a massive skid plate) meeting the C5A takeoff requirement is amazing. So is the shot of the wet pavement minimum roll-out (4500 ft) -- the bottom flap section is vertical and maybe six feet off the ground. _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
