1 HOUR of ONLY FedEx DC-10s at Calgary Airport! 4K Plane Watching, Aircraft Identification

From late August until the end of December, FedEx decided to switch their weekday flights between Memphis and Calgary, Canada, from the usual 767 Freighters to their McDonnell Douglas MD-10s!
The MD-10 is essentially, the DC-10 but with a modernized 2-crew flight deck that's virtually identical to the MD-11. This conversion allows for some substantial cost savings, by allowing pilots to fly both the MD-10 and MD-11 with minimal extra training. From the outside though, it still looks and sounds exactly like the DC-10.
Considering it had been over 7 years since Calgary last saw regular DC-10 flights, and that FedEx would reportedly be retiring them around the end of last year, this was an amazing opportunity for Calgary aviation enthusiasts.
The DC-10 has been one of my personal favourite aircraft types for as long as I can remember, and so over that 4-month period, I took it upon myself to film as much of it as I could.
Without further ado, please enjoy this hour-long-compilation of FedEx MD-10s at Calgary International Airport.
More on the MD-10 Conversion: www.boeing.com/commercial/aer....
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Outro song - "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2023
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[@GeorgeCMcRae]

The DC-10 will always remain my very favorite airplane. The list of airlines I few them on is large and multiple. United, American, Western, World, Martinair,, for starters. Each flight exciting and pleasurable.

[@XCougar85X]

Thank you for the video. That landing at 8:52 really cool to see them land casually for the first bit and then really slam the brakes.

[@HoggerCaptain]

Probably saving the ground crew time by moving all the cargo forward 😂 … good eye.

[@XCougar85X]

@@HoggerCaptain Haha 😆

[@PlaneSpottingBerlin]

Amazing bird! Nice capturings. Sad it is so rare these days.

[@CenTexAviation]

Awesome capture! So sad that they’ll be gone at the end of the fiscal year (May 31) :(

[@jessemillington5988]

Now this video was what we needed for a send off, the sights, the sounds! Hopefully some of these will get preserved especially 306!

[@fluorescentlightman3008]

What’s so special about 306

[@mcdonnell-douglasdc-1056]

​@@fluorescentlightman3008It was the plane involved with the infamous attempted hijacking by Auburn Calloway back in 1994 as FedEx flight 705. Despite the airframe suffering $800,000 worth of damages to its airframe, the plane was repaired and returned to service, being one of the last 2 MD-10 freighters flying with FedEx until January of 2023. We have seen two Boeing 747 aircraft preserved already (a 747-100, nicknamed "City or Everett", and the first 747-400 aircraft which flew with Northwest Airlines and was involved in the incident of Northwest Airlines flight 85). So a DC-10 being preserved will also be nice.

[@WNDWSTIDN]

​​@@fluorescentlightman3008 N306FE was involved on a incident as FedEx 705 back in 1994 when a deadhesding FedEx Employee trying to hijack the plane, but failed by the pilots. the pilot able to maneuver the plane beyond its limits and landed safely. Despite the plane flew inverted and beyond its airspeed limit, the plane repaired and returned to service, even upgraded into MD-10 (this makes the plane even rarer as MD-10 were upgraded from DC-10). In the end, N306FE was retired in December 2022, it's one of FedEx's last DC-10s to be retired which done in March 2023. Due to the incident related history, there was a petition to save N306FE from scrapping.

[@paulplummer5766]

The sound of the engines still give me goosebumps. The Dc10 is my all time favorite commercial jet

[@Wheninflight]

Here at the Memphis end, the MD-10 is one I’ll truly miss. The buzzsaw sound of those CF6-50’s is what I will miss, getting to hear them one more time for their retirement flights out to Victorville. 316 leaves tomorrow for VCV, these days having to come sometime. I am glad I got to fly on the Northwest DC-10 before they were retired back in 2007. It is the end of an era, but the MD-11’s fortunately still have their life with FedEx, UPS, and Western Global.

[@AirborneRenegade]

From what I’ve heard they’re going to hold on to them until at least May 31st. They’ve got a little while left, but their days are certainly limited now. I hate to see them go, but with them leaving there will be something else that comes along in their place in terms of how unique they are.

[@_Corndawgg]

@@AirborneRenegade They've all been withdrawn and are in the desert now

[@sobelou]

Thank you so much!! This compilation is a true treasure!

[@rufugamingandcars]

one of the best planes ever made you the best you make the best videos

[@albertseabra9226]

Fabulous Birds! Thank you.

[@F1_Continued]

The Md-10 was an amazing opportunity to spot. It's too bad it was too dark in the winter to watch it take off. Great video.

[@PLANEMANIA747]

Beautiful compilation of MD ❤❤

[@coldstream07]

Thanks for this video Alex...great camerawork and video/audio quality in capturing this beautiful aircraft type 😍

[@MadeiraAirport]

Stunning compilation, we will miss these beautiful planes!

[@williamgriffis8733]

Great video Alex. I first flew on a DC-10 in 1985 when I was 16. An awesome plane!!!

[@johnvanduren4806]

Great Video! Back in the 1970/80's, my best friend was a Captain for Western Airlines and had flown evert plane they had, and he said the best of them all was the DC-10-300. Currently, there is an MD-11 available for Flight Sim X-Plane 11/12, and it is a joy to fly. Wish someone would honor the DC-10-300 the same way as it' cockpit was pre the glass ones of today. Keep up the great work, really enjoy them all.

[@nothingbutjets941]

I've gotta tell you - I have enjoyed this video. Saddened to see them gone. I live 40 miles from Victorville, CA where they end up. A bunch of them out there. I find where you live to be gorgeous.

[@volkan73]

Truly amazing!’ Thank you!

[@ThaiAviationClub]

Thank you for full hour great video I love DC-10 and another Tri-engines A/C.

[@TyNovakAviation]

Fantastic video!

[@Miftahjaya96]

Great job friend....

[@jetgraphy]

Great vid!

[@JelmersAviation]

Amazing video man!

[@zeroelus]

Me: One hour video of some other topic, uuughh. Also me: One hour video of MD-10 doing their thing....that hit the spot nicely. Love the image quality you have on these vids.

[@atche8004]

thank you for this video, such beautiful planes, sad they will be landed for good sooner or later this year. trijets will always have a place in my heart.

[@McTeerZor]

As a fueller at YYC, im am both sad and glad to see the old girl go. Alot of extra work went into refueling these birds. They are THIRRRSSSSSSTY!

[@ZOMb2010]

She is a mean Beast ... such a neat Aircraft. Mine is still the Stretch DC-8 .. Another GREAT video :)

[@karlossargeant3872]

FEDEX MD-10'S Freighters there Kool too see however they'll be retiring soon in the upcoming years Alex nuff respect to all your Videos on Aviation and Travel keep going man and Dream Big on Aviation 100% Awesome Video!!!!

[@HoggerCaptain]

The MD-10 is no L-1011, but I guess for a tri jet, it’ll do. 😜😂 Fantastic video.

[@user-wn3of4nf2s]

19:43 nice startup!

[@brucecanmore3788]

I have always been a fan of 1011’s. This is a great complication.

[@erichermann4681]

Deiced this plane in November and thought it was the coolest aircraft to spray. Didn't realize it would be leaving so soon...... Glad I got a picture but now regretting not getting a timelapse of the spray.

[@avia_jonas]

The md-10 is a masterpiece ngl

[@Okiea]

Cargo door go bye bye 😂 I love the md-10 tho

[@dalecaldwell]

About 35 years ago, I ived about 11 miles fom the end of the main N/S FedEx runway in Memphis. I cme to know the undercarriage and flaps of those planes very well

[@mfrplanespotting]

DC-10 is one of my favorites, sad to see it go. Not many operators left

[@wotan10950]

Apropos of nothing, my first DC-10 flight was in June 1973 to attend college (dis)orientation! Some trouble with the brakes, but still an amazing experience.

[@seancurrie1836]

Saw them flying over Strathmore, sadly never got up close.

[@g-iggy5350]

hey that's me at @54:24

[@XLRSAv]

Thank you, Alex!! I’m working on a farewell honorary video for the DC-10 / MD-10. May I use some clips from this video with credit given?

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

Thanks for asking, but no.

[@Unuthryear]

Living in Indianapolis they were a regular occurrence. They have 2 parked here right now

[@YQRAviation]

Alex, have you recently had a DC3 land at Calgary?

[@flynlr]

quick check. all aircraft in this vid are WFU at end of 2022..... RIP appears all at Victorville

[@flatcatcher]

Had to go and see MD-10 in person after I saw your original video about them coming here. Did you catch any of the MD-11's they sent here every so often? EDIT: It seemed like they came when there wasn't an available MD-10, there wasn't really a schedule on them (from what ive seen)

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

I did see one or two of them, but the MD-10 was definitely the priority for me personally!

[@flatcatcher]

@@AlexPraglowskiAviation I sadly wasn't able to see one, but seeing the MD-10 was much better than seeing the regular traffic that comes here. Glad that you made that video cause I otherwise would've missed that opportunity!

[@jameswaters3939]

The first 5 Fedex DC-10s were series-10s, formerly convertible freighters at Continental. Their sea level MGTOW was 430,000 lbs.. The DC-10 series-30s are noted by the additional center landing gear. MGTOW went up to 560,000 lbs. at sea level. According to most observers, the tail-mounted engine was not really needed except for ETOPS requirements. (*MGTOW - Maximum Gross Take Off Weight).

[@clippernail625]

I think its 33 years old now (delivered to FedEx 1990)

[@xenophondaskoutroubis5941]

What about the DC 10 in Montreal

[@seanmcdonnell2649]

Sadly, there won't be any aircraft made by McDonnell Douglas flying in the years to come.....

[@fuzzwork]

Tri jets have a particular whine that you just don't get with any other configuration

[@ohareplanespotting]

Very sad they retired it

[@xDefender11]

I’m sad i never saw it in yvr

[@1.6Kilometres]

What has made the DC / MD 10 a favourite of yours?

[@Yahiath3avgeek]

The MD-10 is basically the 767 but with 3 engines

[@sevenapertures]

It’s really not but ok

[@m.hstudioproductions6642]

@@sevenapertures Well, I think I can see where he's coming from.

[@wotan10950]

Other than different engineering, manufacturers, systems, flight characteristics, yeah, almost the same 🙃 My friend recently said “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Claire de Lune” are so similar. I said, yeah, they were both written for piano. Other than that…..

[@0w3nn]

They're similar except in capacity. The MD-10 is a lot larger. Their range is similar.

[@RealSaulGoodman78]

It will Always be the best Plane Rip the DC-10 and MD-11 MD-10 And I’ll sure miss the loud engine noise