United DC-10-30 Rockets Out of LAX (Great Sound)

For those that appreciate my content, you can donate, if you choose. Any funds would be used for future flight bookings. Thank you so much!
www.paypal.me/RyanBomar
Here you see a UAL DC-10 departing from LAX after a short ground roll. Recorded in 1989.
Shot by my friend Craig Pilkington (Aviation Media ©)
Edited / uploaded by me with the kind permission of Aviation Media ©

[@bobbypaluga4346]

I love the jumbo 3-holers, you had that feeling that you were pinned to the back of your seat. The acceleration is mighty quick although it does eat up looks of runway. The grinding sound feels like it goes trough your entire body. I was sad to see KLM drop their last MD-11's, as well as Delta stop flying TriStar's. Excellent video, thanks for making it available

[@38911bytefree]

We flew in late 90 with Alitalia on the MD11, and people all around the cabin was complaining about the take off saying it was very hard. Man, it made like two step climbs where you sink into the seat badly. A couple of overhead cabinets opened and some thing dropped.. Plane was fully sold, fuel for 10 hour flight nonstop. So, no matter if this thing is loaded, or not, it rockets. This take offs give CONFIDENCE. I flew Iberia on a mixed freight pax 767 and it took FOREVER to climb, I was frigthened badly, really slow and the noise and vibration on the plane was not normal.

[@AFJ_]

Back when it wasn't hard to fly a widebody within the continental US

[@AlonsoRules]

then ETOPS 240 killed it

[@GabrielViana-mg3vh]

@@kevinwilt3918 In the USA you have 99% chance getting on a CRJ or A320

[@cefb8923]

Gabriel 2003 737 lol

[@GabrielViana-mg3vh]

@@cefb8923 Thats true. Tommorow by the way im going to fly a KLM 737-700 To Barcelona. Maybe the last flight on a KLM 737-700.

[@ThatGuy-te9wh]

@@kevinwilt3918 you could probably fly a 747SR-style high-density widebody on high-traffic routes.

[@donaldkoelper5807]

My first DC-10 flight was on United Airlines from LAX to Chicago-O'Hare in July 1972. My last was on Northwest Airlines from LAX to Honolulu in July 2000. The longest DC-10 flight I was on was between Chicago and Honolulu (4,300 miles) on multiple occasions, and the shortest was between Kahului, Maui and Honolulu (100 miles). It was a magnificent and versatile aircraft.

[@marlock6573]

I flew on an American DC-10 from Dallas to Honolulu and the same plane on the return trip for a summer vacation with my parents in '92. Good times.

[@legalizebuckets594]

I'm not born in the 80 or 90s but I feel like those decades were the best in history. Air travel was the best and society was prospering

[@caljn1]

ItsMyDank747 The best year to be born? 1945. You came up during boom times, had a successful career and currently enjoying a prosperous retirement.

[@Twobarpsi]

It was a great time, let me tell you.

[@garfielf1826]

And then 9/11 happened

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

@Nicholas Moeller Crime was out of control in the 80s. Car theft was a major problem back then.

[@EnergeticWaves]

Air travel was actually fun, rarely was a plane more than 40% full and the flight attendants were gorgeous and young. Thats all gone. Plus you got meals.

[@colin2319]

love this aircraft, shame it was retired never got a chance to actually fly on it.

[@Shields686]

colintheh2015 Same here. It’s an incredible machine.

[@joniquewilliams6814]

Ikr the 2nd engine looks so cool

[@princefrancois3451]

It is a nice aircraft but the dc 10 also has history on fatal crashes than any plane model that have been created so that's your life on the line

[@equidaes]

@@princefrancois3451 Now DC 10 is used by FED ex. technology has advanced. if Mcdonald Douglass was still around then DC 10 & DC 11 would probably be successful today especially with modern technology but sucks that company was terrible

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

@@princefrancois3451 I'd feel Way Safer in the L-1011 !!!

[@FirstLastOne]

I miss the rumble of those old GE CF6-50 on those DC-10s.

[@pdxnoah]

That was one hell of an impressive machine. I was always happy to fly in them.

[@brianw8105]

I disagree. The L-1011 was the far superior aircraft

[@jodygotyourgirlngone]

Absolutely...great jet...and the MD-11 that followed...

[@davekingman1271]

I flew on an American DC-10 from Phoenix to Chicago on May 24, 1979. When I departed the plane, the gate was packed with people. I checked the board to see where everyone was going. It was heading to LA. Imagine the chills I felt the very next day when the news broke of flight 191 crashing after an engine fell off during takeoff. That plane departed at 2:10, so it matched the flight from the previous day. I won't ever know if I was on that doomed DC 10 literally just a day before, but I think about it to this day

[@railfandepotproductions]

You know the registration of the plane, correct? did you recognize any crew that were on 191?

[@Italy55]

Eerie.

[@MichaelD8393]

The airline just isn't the same without the DC-10. Such a gorgeous beast of an airplane!

[@phillipngo2133]

MichaelD8393 agreed, even if it had a dangerous and unsafe start, it still the best.

[@MichaelD8393]

@@phillipngo2133 Got that right!

[@38911bytefree]

@@phillipngo2133 Well, all the jets from this era suffered from issues. Appart from the cargo door, the design was good, proved with 3 decades or more (counting the MD-11s) of logged hours and cycles. The big issue was Douglas neglecting the door fix on time because money reasons. And they paid the price eventually.

[@phillipngo2133]

38911bytefree yeah, McDonnell Douglas could have made the best trijet if they didn't care about profit and instead on safety and passenger experience while Lockheed on the other hand did cared about their trijet the "L1011" but it suffered from delays which led to the the fate of the Tristar. In the end, due to the dc10's poor safety record, I would have picked the l1011, but due to the dc10 higher sales (strangely, I would have pick the latter anyway.

[@_SP64_]

@@phillipngo2133 you could blame RR for that. Idiots broke their promise to quickly give the L1011 the engine it needed and almost bankrupted Lockheed because of it.

[@itspenguin7187]

I love the sound of all three turbofans revving at the same time

[@fatimahrabah9201]

Now this is the DC-10 I remember seeing at Stapleton Airport. Isn't she beautiful.

[@lauchingwan]

I was fortunate to fly on a DC-10 back in '95. On our returnflight I was invited to the cockpit and stayed for about 2 hours.What a great experience and the flight on the DC-10 was superb.The MD-11 was just as good.So much power on the rake off run,felt like riding a rocket.Miss those days and airliners a lot

[@tomassoc127]

As an AA CK, man I miss this machine. I loved the DC-10 and miss that airline (yes UA still exists, but “that” airline), long live the tulip. One of the most iconic liveries ever.

[@mikee9623]

I know exactly what you mean! I miss the tulip too

[@Helicopterpilot16]

The whine of the old CF6-50's was the sound of the 80's, Most movies use her sound for any aircraft. I especialy love to hear it on a 747-300!

[@MarshallBennett64]

The DC-10 got a bad safety reputation when in fact maintenance errors were the root of nearly all the fatal accidents. You can't blame stupid on the 10. I loved flying on this airliner, probably my favorite.

[@thomaspease208]

exactly had been properly maintained would still be able to fly well I don't know due to higher gas prices

[@vermontvermont9292]

I remember flying on one as a young boy in the 80s. To this day im still obsessed with aviation.

[@fatimahrabah9201]

We all miss that logo and I especially miss Stapleton. Many a morning after leaving AT&T, I would park next to the fence by the runway and watch my beloved DC-10's takeoff and land. Those were the good old days.

[@757USAirways]

This is the best United livery

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Flew a United Airlines DC-10 from Detroit to LAX in the 70s. They had ear phones that were not electric but hollow air tubes. I listened to Barry Manilow's Mandy about 10 times on that flight in full stereo air sound. They had a buffet spread for lunch.

[@misakiyoshida]

I couldn't think of a gayer thing if I tried.

[@freeformboozler]

My granddad flew the DC-10 for KLM for many years, still says it's the best plane he's ever flown. Though I'm young and I've only witnessed freighter variants, I can never forget the incredible roar of the engines on takeoff.

[@JMMT7022801]

That was a really nice spool up with the engines. It's too bad the newer planes are so whisper quiet.

[@mitchellspindell589]

JMMT7022801 I know, I know. Love that wind up, especially on Rolls Royce engines; the twanging sound they make.

[@josephmercer9576]

I believe there are P&W JT-9 engines, the same used on the first 2 models of the 747. They have a distinctive growl that I've always loved.

[@lakewoodil]

Love the spool up while he is still lining up for takeoff, cool stuff.

[@onundosvifsson6735]

Well, you can listento Il-76. Sounds almost the same to this

[@applejacks971]

12-20-22 3 years later watching the vid, still my most favorite commercial airline and paint scheme!

[@FlyHere660]

OMFG!!! Take about a blast from the past. Great video Ryan. The DC-10 sure is a work of art, and WOW!!! Those engines sound amazing :D Best video yet!

[@andysmith6824]

My favorite airplane, favorite United livery. This was in 1989? Ugh....I'm getting old. Really, really excellent video. Thank you!

[@applejacks971]

My dream as a kid and growing up was to fly a DC-10 for United. I'll always regret not going to flight school.

[@MrVertigo63]

Thanks for all the cool videos you share. Awesome collection.

[@Roboseal2]

Woah, a Saul Bass united livery. I only remember the battleship grey one. Guess I wasn't born early enough!

[@seanwdc10]

This was a proud and exciting time for United and most of the industry. I fondly remember these days, and these beefy DC-10s. Stellar video.

[@tommybass40]

I love the old United livery.

[@hiphopboy29]

Oh the power in a DC-10! Thoses were the days!😀👍

[@HeritageElevators]

Back when planes had character and class. Oh how i miss the Douglas jets

[@AlvinKTo]

0:16 Really like the sound.

[@moviefan4life166]

So many amazing memories on DC-10’s! Such a nice wide 2-5-2 configuration and the sound on takeoff was so amazing! Wish we had more widebody jets like this.

[@jamest2401]

I love this video! I wish UAL still looked like that; back when it was considered a great and premiere airline. I’ve charged down that very runway myself (as PAX, that is), except in the one instance of it being a 'DC-10', for me it was a 'Continental DC-10'. I’m in ATL now, but I grew up in Simi Valley, so it was always either LAX or Burbank. Once it was Ontario, but we only lived in Redlands for a few years before we moved to Georgia.

[@melissarennie7289]

Ooooooooh, proper airliner! No pansy wee Airbus 319.....that's the only wee beastie I get to go on these days :(

[@solomonpilot2510]

U MEANT SCARE BUS !

[@riot2136]

Solomon Pilot no he meant airbus

[@KiwiGraggle]

Shame that flying anything that has an American badge on it though carries the chance of flying into a building, yo?.

[@javacup912]

Wow, great detail. You can actually see the outflow valve closing, leaving the scoop opened. This happened after a certain power setting/TLA This was the very same door/scoop system from the DC9/MD-80 series. Nice United colors too.

[@ImmortalSynn]

...you weren't kidding when you said great sound. Very nice!!!

[@StevenYoungcaptual]

I Miss that machine! I flew it as Flight Engineer and Co-Pilot, plus instructor ....Great days!

[@jacyborreaux919]

The world is so boring today

[@iamgp3313]

@@jacyborreaux919 the world is not boring you are just old

[@barryvincentredmond3973]

Flew several times back and forth on Continental DC-10's from Sydney to Los Angeles via Honolulu.Very comfortable aircraft.I recall a seperate bar on board complete with actual bar stools.How fabulous.All a distant memory now.!.

[@BillyAlabama]

I loved this jet! I first rode in one when I was 14 and it was a marvelous experience! ✈️

[@benjaminakin828]

I miss my UNITED AIRLINES.

[@cpep747]

nice...real nice sound. Those GE engines had a very distinctive sound to them. great for anyone who loves the roar of a jet engine. Great post! funny to cleo0399 I too flew on one in 1988 jfk - sf0- jfk.

[@chnalvr]

As a kid I flew on the United DC-10 Friendship from Chicago to Denver Stapleton. I was given a postcard with a picture of the aircraft on it and a tour of the flight deck. It all seemed very magical to me.

[@fylecabagnot5703]

Nice old school footage!!!! Feels like late 80s/ early 90s!!!! Great catch, guy!!!!

[@donnix6931]

Loved the dc10, my first flight was on a USAir Dc10 in 1989, great time period for commercial aviation

[@agentbrickschannel4523]

I love that plane.... It´s so cool. Great sound btw

[@Timbrock1000]

THE DC-10 HAD A BAD REPUTATION FOR CRASHING, BUT IN REALITY WAS A VERY GOOD PLANE. The 10 was actually an exceptionally safe plane to be on. All but a couple accidents involving it were due to human error or poor quality of its first generation engines which were made by Rolls-Royce, GE, or Pratt & Whitney. One of the worst accidents was on July 19, 1989 United Airlines flight 232 from Denver to Chicago. On that day, United flight 232 took off from Denver's Stapleton Airport. For about the first couple hours, the flight went smoothly. Then, a loud "BANG" sound was heard as engine #2 (located under the tail) exploded. Some people thought a bomb went off, but there was no sudden decompression. But a few moments later, the pilots began having difficulty controlling the plane. All hydrologic pressure controlling the flaps and alerons fell to zero PSI. It began veering to the right and would not turn to the left. If it continued banking, it would stall, and fall to the earth. The Captain reduced power in The left engine and increased power in the right. This caused the plane to level out. A United flight instructor riding as a passenger volunteered to assist the pilots and was invited to the flight deck. The Captain had him grip the throttles and adjust engine power as directed. The pilots contacted the nearest airport, Soux City, Iowa. This was a small regional airport for private pilots. Not at all intended for commercial or large aircraft. But it was the only option. The pilots notified Soux City of their problems: a major explosion of the engine has destroyed hydrologic pressure, they are unable to control the plane very well. The airport control tower granted 232 clearance to land "on any runway". The Captain humorously replied "Oh, you want to be particular and have us land on a runway huh? He-he"). The crew began their approach, having to make only right turns, and unable to extend wing flaps to increase lift and slow the plane down due to the no hydrologics, had to keep the plane flying much faster than usual to avoid falling. They continued making right hand turns, and finally got in line with the airport. The Captain came on the intercomm told the passengers "Everyone, as you know, something has gone very wrong with the plane. We're going to have to make an emergency landing in Soux City. I must be absolutely honest with you, this is going to be perhaps the hardest thing you'll endure in your life. I'm very sorry, but we don't have any other option. ...when I give the command to brace, do it. The plane continued toward the field, flying much faster than it should, and losing altitude at nearly G1. The Captain yelled "BRACE, BRACE, BRACE!!". A few moments later, The DC-10 struck the ground at an angle, nosed into the ground, and cartwheeled over the ground. It's rear end shot up as the fuselage forward of the wings was sheered off and rolled several times. The rear end fell to the ground and smashed onto the runway. A massive fireball erupted as jet fuel spilled out of the wings onto the ground. The FAA and NTSB investigated and after almost a year determined the original cause was a faulty fan disk in engine #2. Over some17 years, a tiny hairline crack develope and grew. On that flight, the disk finally failed and flew apart. One piece flew straight down and into the roof of the plane, right into the hydrolic lines, severing them. Investigators believed it was a 1 in a billion event. Of the 289 people onboard, 111 died.

[@shaddydeevy9811]

Im pretty sure the rolls royce one you meant was for the l-1011

[@naskray]

DC-10 is my love forever. Nothing can replace it❤

[@yamahonkawazuki]

this brings back plenty of memories. most all being pleasant

[@mrblujet]

Nice upload. I was at LAX this past weekend.

[@Mayaisawesome91]

Man i miss these so much

[@sillyman-oj3xv]

These engines sound fantastic. Seriously the best vid on here! This is a DC-10-30 GE engined which sound better than the less powerful DC-10-10 GE engines. The exact type escapes me at the moment.

[@varigdc10]

+sillyman171 171 The DC-10-10 was standard domestic variant of the type, the DC-10-30 was the longer ranged international variant as seen in this video. The 30 version had the additional landing train in mid fuselage between the two main, compensate for the additional weight as seen in this video. Unfortunately, to me, I clearly did not hear the typical "whining" roar of the GE engines, perhaps it was the angle and air circulation, don't know. I always loved the DC-10, RIP dear friend............................

[@38911bytefree]

Talk about a unique look. Today is all about green, eficiency, quietness, led lights. You barely feel th power of this beasts anymore. I remember long ago, Alitalia, on a MD11, everyone was complaining about the take off being so violent. It ROCKETED SO BAD that people got a bit scared. Fully load with 11 hour of fuel ... NO PROBLEM. This is probably the reason they are still doing CARGO, not the greenest, but you wont run out of power and the avionics still modern in the -30 and the MD11.

[@Americanman2000]

United DC10 and 747 service from San Francisco to Honolulu was the ultimate in Luxury.

[@califcamper]

Amazingly just saw one of those here in minneapolis last week, (military plane, DC-10) at Minn ARS, unloading 2018 and still flying

[@BeechSportBill]

I timed all my take-off rolls on NorthWest DC 10s over several years - the LONGEST in MSP on a VERY HOT day was 56 seconds. On a day with temperatures running nearly zero degrees - I timed 17 seconds - MSP to SEA and back and forth.

[@markdorais2846]

Delicious sound 👍👍👍👍

[@PasiemuKasMano]

Man... The shape of trijet, it looks so badass !

[@brianbest2292]

That beauty in the video

[@johroo]

only united paintscheme i liked and it looked good on the dc-10 thanks for up-loading

[@SecsSells]

Used to work Flight 55 to LAX on a 10 back in the '70s.

[@elainefrantz9139]

So did my dad....out of ORD!

[@SleekDan97]

aviation will never be the same...

[@lonebeagle]

My first airplane ride was in December 1975 on an American Airlines DC-10 from LAX to Chicago O'Hare. The plane was mostly empty and the acceleration on take-off felt tremendous! I had turkey crepes with broccoli with cream sauce, served on real plates with silverware. The flight was smooth and like a dream. I think the pilot said our cruising altitude was 40,000 feet. What a view for my first flight in an airplane! That DC-10 was a real hot rod and since then I've flown on lots of jets since, the only other plane that took off like that was the 727 which I flew out of Monterey, CA back in 1978. A few years later the AA DC-10 that crashed at O'hare was bound for LAX--I may have been aboard that stricken aircraft earlier. That accident was caused 100% by the unapproved method that AA mechanics used to change out engines. The DC-10/MD-11 was a great aircraft. The MD-11 cargo version are still being used (I think) and the KC-10 tankers in the Air Force are indispensable. The Boeing KC-46 (767) tanker has been a disaster in comparison. My brother was working and McDonald/Douglas on the C-17 when the Air Force realized that they sure could have used some more KC-10s. But by then, all of the tooling had been destroyed. Douglas built great airplanes.

[@denverthuggit]

DC-10 was the first plane I ever flew one. Such an amazing plane.

[@alouettedemer5366]

Such a beautiful aircraft.

[@mrjv61]

Flew the United DC-10 a few times myself 1989&91 JFK- LAX-HNL. The westbound 1989 flight we flew to Chicago and then flew the DC-10 non-stop to Maui. Probably the longest flight I'll ever take in my life. Still like that jet.

[@alkpone1949]

After Burners!!! LOL Good video! Thanks for posting

[@jgg7378]

One of the better liveries to grace the DC-10. In my opinion, the Northwest 2003 livery and Continental final livery were the best ones to fly on the DC-10's

[@visax8550]

I flew the United DC-10 from SFO to HNL and back in 1989. My first DC-10 flight was an American Airlines flight also between SFO and HNL in 1986. Sad to see so many routes that used to be flown by that aircraft now being flown with 737’s, A321’s, etc now.

[@WetpantsMcGee]

It delights me to think that there's a slight possibility I may have been visiting my grandparents in El Segundo that day, and heard the mighty roar of that takeoff.

[@ericgiddio1259]

I was in LAX in 1989 and took a UA DC-10 to HNL as our Qantas flight was grounded.

[@ChrisZoomER]

That was quite the takeoff for sure!

[@bobbypaluga4346]

I suspect that baby was full. I did an internship with United. In Denver and LA. United's Denver city operations manager was my boss. When he would see a United aircraft taking off, he would comment; that Baby is FULL, or We aren't making money on that one, to Are we ferrying that bird? In his head he would out the load based upon runway used, the angle of attack and finally the way the jet lifted off; just the nose wheels for how long before the wing bogies join in. He could have checked the PAs and Cargo weight by using any company computer. Amazingly he was correct 99% of the time. Since then I noticed a US (post HP merger) financial VP doing the same thing when the PHX pattern sent take offs to the east. He merely looked out the huge windows in the US, Tempe office making a thumbs up for a profitable flight and a thumbs down for a light aircraft that is losing money.

[@davidconlin32]

I miss that logo I don't like the new one I wish theyd kept the sweep or tulip

[@MichaelD8393]

Out of curiosity, whose the fourth of the 'big 4 airlines' you're talking about? I know of American, Delta & United, so the fourth is a mystery to me.

[@festivetreat316]

@@MichaelD8393 Eastern

[@MichaelD8393]

@@festivetreat316 Thank you.

[@Coasterrider210]

awesome colors

[@brentsummers7377]

Had a couple of nice flights on those to and from Hawaii. Good flights time for a meal but not too long.

[@user-jy8ne8on9g]

LOL!!! I was a kid when United used this livery! I feel old! 😂😂 I love the sounds, great video!

[@JMMT7022801]

I'm 38. This livery was used between 1972-1996.

[@552mustang]

N This is THE United airlines livery I know. Grew up in the 80s like you. Can you believe how bad they f'ed it up now using the old Continental scheme. Its so ugly and not United at all!

[@DowntownCanon]

Especially considering how good their latest Rising Blue livery was.

[@user-jy8ne8on9g]

552mustang I seriously miss this classic livery! 😭 I can't stand the current "Continental" livery! They could've come up with something better than "copying" a former airline.

[@brownbrownson]

absolutely love that sound. oi.

[@TheBranJone]

Good Old Days Of United

[@Tryambakam108]

I miss this plane and this livery.

[@MichaelBSteeleAviation]

Awesome video. On day we'll look at A380 takeoffs the same way...

[@12345fowler]

Nice spool up sound !! Nice catch, love the high pitch at iddle of these engines, GE CF_6 I suppose but could be mistaken

[@Dana_Danarosana]

12345fowler That's correct. All the DC-10s had CF6 except for the 40 series which had PW JT-9D.

[@georgemallory797]

@@Dana_Danarosana I never knew that there was a series of DC-10 that had the jt9! I am now going to look it up for myself!

[@Dana_Danarosana]

@@georgemallory797 The DC 10-40 was originally a specific design for NWA and they insisted on the Pratts for enginr commonality with their 747s at the time. The only other airline that bought the 40 series new was JAL. They're easy to tell apart from the 10 & 30 series because the intake to the s-duct for #2 has a bulge with the Pratts.

[@Dana_Danarosana]

@@georgemallory797 Also... A fun fact about the 40 series that DC-10 haters conveniently forget is that it has a perfect safety record. (That almost was broken about 10 years ago when JAL came within about 200 feet of colliding with one of its own 747-400s in flight.)

[@badass6.0powerstroke10]

@@Dana_Danarosana No DC-10 Aircraft use a 'S-Duct" The Lockheed L-1011 Did, Douglas just stuck Engine #2 in the Tail. That is Not a S-Duct Design.

[@MGAviationNZAircraftVideos]

Oh classic aviation 🤩🤩

[@dunnmax1]

The DC 10 has such a presence about it.

[@BroadwayLTDProductions]

I miss flying from Detroit to Chicago in DC-10’s. Now all you get are E Jets, CRJ’s and A319’s.

[@aissaleonafitriainal7018]

awesome

[@mt9372]

Rode jumpseat a few times on United DC-10's into Denver Stapleton. Great view !

[@fatimahrabah9201]

M T , I lived in Denver for 15 years. Stapleton was my second home. I really miss that United logo. As for that DC-10, they are all my babies. I love that airplane. I must say though in a close second place is that Mighty AIRBUS A380. Mind you now I am not cheating on my DC-10 but my heart has grown a little fond of that Mighty AIRBUS A380.😊😊😊😚😚.

[@marcmcreynolds2827]

The jumpseat behind the captain (vs the one at the door) is full-size rather than "jump", and elevated over the others. Best seat in the house. I felt like Capt Kirk on the bridge of the Enterprise.

[@cshazzard]

My dad was an AA captain in the 70s. He flew this plane for nearly 10 years. Flew down to Acapulco from ORD many times in the jump seat with him at the helm. He loved the plane.

[@user-hw1cr5uq4z]

Both Stapleton and the DC-10 are gone. The snowflakes changed the reincarnation of Stapleton to Central Crap Pile because Ben Stapleton the namesake belonged to the KKK in the 1920's.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

When I was really little, I remember flying on a DC-10 from ORD to SAN on American (after a flight from HPN to ORD on a Fokker 100) - I got to ride my last DC-10 at age 9 (Feb 1999) on AA flight #3 - JFK-LAX, with my older brother - our first trip alone to visit our grandma in the Los Angeles area. **nostalgic sigh** I even remember where I sat - 3 rows behind the 3L door. The return flight was on a 767-323ER though (N370AA... why do I remember that? 0_o ) - which was still cool, though I did wish I had one more ride on a DC-10.

[@1jeffr]

IMHO the best United paint scheme.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

United's DC-10 service to Los Angeles used to serve a buffet in Coach! Then you could listen to Barry Manilow's Mandy through the air-hose headphone set-up

[@Timbrock1000]

Nothing like an airplane taking off. The plane lines up with the stripe down the runway, it's the moment everyone has waited for. The engines are set to full power, the plane surges forward. As the passengers are pressed back into their seats, the plane vibrates and the engines noise increases to a scream. Then, the plane points skyward, and lifts off the ground. The undercarriage lifts and the flight has begun.

[@firepower158]

It's great, isn't it.

[@jasontimperley9199]

Awesome airplane

[@livetohuntkid]

I only flew on a DC-10 once... CP Air from Toronto to Calgary. the thing that stands out the most in my mind is how you had to step up to get in the flight deck.... back in the good ole days when you could ask for a flight deck visit and never get turned down... sad how we've evolved, really. -peace-

[@sjbobkins9442]

At :32 that great sound that goes right thru you

[@danielbowels1173]

Loved the old red blue tulip

[@grimreapertrader6635]

Thanks for sharing. I've always wondered if there ever was a time that planes landed from the West at LAX? Maybe a weird weather pattern at some time.

[@TheUtuber999]

During Santa Anas.

[@imransharif443]

Nice

[@TheRollsRoyceTrent]

I miss those colors so much.

[@metallica-fan]

Damn the old United livery

[@curtm97982]

One of the benefits of the DC-10 and the L-1011 was they were ICAO Class D aircraft and could use the smaller airports if needed. 747 and the A-340 are all ClassE and required fields with extensive improvements. L-1011 flew out of LaGuardia with reasonable loads. Not sure about the DC-10

[@sobelou]

The DC-10-10 yes, the DC-10-30 no, it was too heavy fort he sections on piers.