McDonnell Douglas DC-10 (N220AU)

More info from the PASM website:

DOUGLAS DC-10-10

The Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine wide-body airliner. Design work began as Douglas’ entry for a U.S. Air Force contract that eventually resulted in the C-5 Galaxy. With the Air Force contract lost to Lockheed, Douglas redesigned the aircraft as a medium to long range airliner capable of seating over three hundred passengers. Several versions of the DC-10 were built. The shorter ranged “Domestic” version flew first in 1970 and entered commercial service with American and United Airlines in 1971. The longer range “International” version entered service the following year. Early in its service the DC-10 developed a bad reputation for safety after several accidents related to design defects, particularly in the aircraft’s cargo doors. As problems were identified and fixed the plane’s safety record improved and by the end of its passenger service the DC-10’s record was similar to other aircraft of its generation. The last passenger carrying DC-10 was retired in 2014 however many DC-10s and the similar MD-11 aircraft continue to fly as cargo carriers. The United States Air Force uses an aerial tanker version of the DC-10 designated as the KC-10 Extender. This particular DC-10, DC-10-10, is the second McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 to be produced. First serving as a test aircraft, the airplane would later go on to be used by several airlines. In 1992, Orbis purchased it and registered it as N220AU. After 2 years of outfitting the Orbis DC-10 took over as the world’s only Flying Eye Hospital and completed its inaugural mission to Beijing, China. Over the next 22 years, the Orbis DC-10 completed 299 missions, and visited 78 countries. The Orbis DC-10 flew its final Flying Eye Hospital mission to Trujillo, Peru in September 2015.

Thanks,Gary... a great narrative on this type!!! :-)

However, I'll admit and confess that I always preferred to fly on Lockheed's L-1011 TriStar back in that early 1980's era when both types flew for our airlines!

Or as one woman passenger seated behind me in a Delta L-1011 at KDFW exclaimed... "Lord Almighty, this thing is a flying auditorium!".

:-)

Thanks, Cliff, and thanks to PASM for the info! Yeeh, I believe I flew on at least one DC-10 (or maybe an L-1011?). I think it was on Northwest Airlines, but it would have been back in the early '80's. Anyway, it was/is a big airplane, and I laughed when I read your comment. Take care, eh!

Gary... you are very welcome... and actually, I had to "paraphrase" that woman's comment just slightly... her language was a bit more "graphic" (!!!), if you know what I mean.

Me thinks she had visited the airport bar and lounge before takeoff!!!

No doubt, it might have been her very first flight on a commercial airliner!

LOL! I think I do know what you mean! Thanks, again. Oh, just to be clear I'm
Greg, not Gary. But no worries. I'm going to take it as a compliment and assume you're thinking of Gary Schenauer. ;-)

Greg... my apologies... and my "bad"... I jumped the gun there and yes... I was thinking of one and the same, Gary Schenauer! Guess I didn't read past the "G" in the first name, eh? :-)

Yes... everything I remarked can be taken as a compliment and I appreciate your kind words too!!!

Thanks for sharing that great information on the Starship and the DC-10 with us!

No problem, Cliff. I appreciate it!

Greg - Thanks and please accept my sincere appreciation for your kind words, sir!!!

You bet, Cliff! I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your pics.

Greg - Thanks again... and yes, I must get out and do that!