The DC-10 Freighter aircraft is extremely well suited to the carriage
of horses, livestock, and other live animals. Most of these aircraft have
main cabins with exceptional temperature control and a high throughput of
fresh air.
Pallet Positions
Pallet Loading
Pallet loading differs by position in the aircraft. In general, the
maximum allowable load per position is 12,474 lbs., (5,670 kg including
pallet (about 200 lbs. (91 kg) for this pallet size). Further, the weight
of each pallet pair or compartment, (8L + 8R, for example) must remain under
the total weight allowed at that position in the aircraft. Most locations
have a maximum loading per pair of 12,562 lbs. (5,710 kg) with the exception
of the positions over the wing spar which can be double that number (shown
above in red), and the aft position, which is about half (shown in yellow).
Pallet Profiles
Pallet profiles differ by position in the aircraft. Allowable
dimensions are shown below. Dimensions include the height of the pallet.
The color-coded contours shown correspond to their placement in the graphic
above.
All belly compartments are pressurized, however only the larger
forward (Belly 2) and smallest aft (Belly 4) compartments are
temperature controlled. Both are capable of carrying live animals,
however there is no access to these compartments in flight. The
aft Belly 4 compartment holds bulk cargo only, and is where
domestic animals are stowed on passenger flights.
The door sizes of the two large lower compartments (Belly 2 & 3)
permit carriage of much of the equipment shown on this site when
collapsed. However, in order to utilize the volume of these
compartments effectively, equipment must be stacked with the
profile of the compartment and width of the door in mind.
Due to the small size of the lower aft compartment door
(Belly 4), not much of the equipment supplied here is able to
utilize this volume, whether assembled or collapsed.
The original DC-10-10 series was designed to carry 270 passengers
between Chicago and New York, or the US West Coast, with a full payload.
The DC-10-15 series is similar to the -10, except has different engines.
The -30 series was developed as the long range intercontinental model
of the DC-10. The -30 series increased the span, range and capability of
the basic aircraft. This series also saw the addition of a twin wheel
undercarriage to handle the increased weight and payload of the aircraft.
The DC-10-40 series is similar to the -30, except has different engines.
The DC-10-30 and DC-10-40 have proved to be the most popular series to
convert from passenger to all-cargo configuration.
Several versions of each series were produced including the "F"
designated freighter version, and the "CF" designated convertible
cargo-passenger version. No designation letter is used for the
standard passenger configuration.
Specifications
Aircraft
DC-10 Freighter
DC-10 Pallet Locations
The DC-10
The DC-10 is a wide bodied transport ideal for carrying cargo. As a
freighter, the aircraft is versatile. It can be configured in various
pallet layouts on the main deck, and several different container and bulk
configurations in the belly.
The main deck can be configured in several different pallet layouts
utilizing different pallet sizes. The layouts range from twenty-three
125" x 88" pallets to thirty 108" x 88" pallets incombination with two
61.5" x 60.4" pallets, or a mix of each. The most common of these
configurations is the use of twenty-three 125" x 88" pallets on the
main deck, as depicted above.
DC-10 Pallet Loading
DC-10 Pallet Profiles
Positions 1R/1L
Positions 2R/2L-10R/10L
Positions 11R/11L
Position 12
Cargo Compartments
DC-10 Cargo Compartments
Aside from the main deck, the DC-10-30 Freighter has three separate lower,
or belly compartments.
DC-10 Cargo Doors
Background
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is the only wide-bodied aircraft with a
three engine layout. The aircraft made its maiden flight on August 29,
1970. It first entered into service as a passenger aircraft for American
Airlines, in 1971.
The specifications and graphics provided apply specifically to the
DC-10-30 CF aircraft, it is the most popular of this type for cargo
operations. While this information is intended to serve as a general
guideline of aircraft capabilities, always check with the aircraft
operator for exact dimensions and loading requirements. Exact
configurations can vary considerably from aircraft to aircraft.
Maximum gross payload
154,200 lbs. (70,091 kg)
Main deck container capacity
23 positions
Maximum payload range
2,900 statute miles (5,370 km)
Main cargo door dimensions
102.0" high x 140.0" wide
(259 x 355 cm)
Belly 2 cargo door dimensions
70.0" high x 66.0" wide
(177 x 167 cm)
Belly 3 cargo door dimensions
70.0" high x 66.0" wide
(177 x 167 cm)
Belly 4 cargo door dimensions
44.0" high x 46.0" wide
(111 x 117 cm)