Legend still lives

October 7, 2016 Alexandar Srećković No comments exist

One of the legendary aircraft models with three engines McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was built in just 200 units. MD-11 model was built on a base of previous DC-10 model with some modification of weight balance, flight deck was made for two crew members instead of three as it was on DC-10. This model have unique look with three engines configuration, two of them are as usually placed on wings and the third one is positioned on tail wing. It was operated for passenger`s use by KLM, TAM Airlines, Alitalia Swiss Air, Thai Airways and few more. First MD-11 was delivered to Finnair on December 7, 1990 and it official entered in service on December 20, 1990 on flight from Helsinki to Tenerife. Interesting is that Yugoslav Airlines JAT became the first customer of the MD-11 in the first place. Three aircraft were manufactured but were never delivered due to war in Yugoslavia.

KLM MD-11F Passenger model
KLM MD-11 Passenger model

Since today story is about a MD-11F, we will began our short story for that model. As first user of MD-11F was American FedEX and up to today they are still flying them. Because of french manufacturer Airbus and their models A330/340 more less all MD-11 for passenger use were retired and many of them were converted in model MD-11F (freighter). KLM was the last airline to operate scheduled passenger flights with the passenger version of the MD-11. The final scheduled flight took place on October 26, 2014 from Montréal to Amsterdam. From a production line exit 53 MD-11F, but many of passengers units were converted an up today there are 127 of MD-11F aircraft`s flying around the world carrying cargo. At this time few major cargo carriers are operating MD-11F such as FedEx Express(57), UPS Airlines(38), Lufthansa Cargo(14) and Sky lease Cargo(4). Here are some main technical data and information about MD-11F model.

FedEx Express MD-11F Departing from LAX
FedEx Express MD-11F Departing from LAX
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Length 61.6 m
Wingspan 51.8 m
Height 17.6 m
Cruising Speed 890 km/h
Max. altitude 13,100 m
Max. takeoff weight 286,000 kg
Max. landing weight 222,900 kg
Max. load 95,000 kg
Load capacity 534 m3

Assembly of the last two MD-11s were completed in August and October 2000, they were delivered to Lufthansa Cargo on February 22 and January 25, 2001 respectively.

Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F D-ALCN (last made MD-11F)
Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F D-ALCN (last made MD-11F)

 

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