Skip to content

McDonnell Douglas DC-10

McDonnell · DC10

The trijet widebody from the 1970s. All passenger examples retired, but Omega Air Refueling still flies one as a tanker.

A RECAT C jet with 3 engines that cruises at about 499 kts. Requires about 21.3k ft of field length for takeoff.

3x JetHeavyRECAT CFL410 ceilingILS capable

McDonnell Douglas DC-10

Photo: Ken Haynes Collection · GFDL 1.2 · Wikimedia Commons

Performance

ParameterValue
Engines3 x Jet
Weight classHeavy (H)
RECAT-EU categoryC (Lower heavy)
Service ceiling41,000 ft (FL410)
Max climb rate2,000 fpm
Max descent rate3,000 fpm

Speed envelope

Speeds are approximate true airspeed (TAS). At cruise altitude, the Mach number is the governing limit where shown.

ParameterValue
Minimum speed120 kts
Landing speed140 kts
Cruise speed~499 kts TAS
Maximum speedM0.82 (~542 kts TAS)

Runway requirements

Field lengths used in the simulation for takeoff/landing calculations.

ParameterValue
Takeoff field length21,266 ft / 3.50 nm / 6,482 m
Landing field length12,152 ft / 2.00 nm / 3,704 m

Equipment

CapabilityStatus
ILS approachesYes
Fix navigationYes
SRS category3
LAHSO category9

Where you'll see it

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a widebody aircraft. While less common in modern fleets, you'll still encounter this type in center airspace on long-haul routes.


Back to RECAT C - Lower heavy · All aircraft