Monarch DC-10 now a classroom
18-Dec-2003
Retired DC10 has a second lease of life as its turned into a classroom
Monarch Airlines has donated the front fuselage section of its retired DC-10 aircraft to Manchester Airport to become a classroom with a difference. The 60 foot section includes a flight deck and 70 passenger seats, and will offer children exclusive access to areas previously open only to flight crew. The interior will look exactly as it did when it flew long and short-haul flights from Manchester and will be positioned in the airport’s visitor park as a permanent memorial to the DC10.
Much loved by air enthusiasts, the 23 year-old aircraft was no longer economically viable within Monarch’s fleet. Sister company’ Monarch Aircraft Engineering’s line maintenance team at Manchester has been carrying out a care and maintenance programme since the aircraft’s final flight in October 2001. The final breaking down of the airframe took six weeks and was carried out by a 12-strong team of ground staff, engineers and specialist contractors. Heavy cutting equipment was used to remove the front section, which weighs 20 tonnes.
Peter Brown, chief executive Monarch Airlines said; ” The DC10 aircraft was much loved by aviation enthusiasts and by all the crew that operated it. It will be greatly missed, but we are delighted that a part of it can be put to such a good use. We hope it will bring great enjoyment to visitors to the park for many years to come.”
The new ‘classroom’ is due to open to the public in spring 2004. Visits to the DC10 by school parties can be booked by contacting the Airport Tour Centre 0161 489 2443.
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Notes:
Purchased from Zambia Airways in spring 1996 the DC10 was the first dedicated long range aircraft with non-stop capabilities introduced to the Monarch fleet. The DC10 was instrumental in helping Monarch build up its non-stop-long haul programme, alongside leased MD11s, before Monarch acquired two new A330s in 1999. Towards the end of its time in the Monarch fleet it was largely used as a standby aircraft.
DC10 facts:
Aircraft type: McDonnell Douglas DC10 – Series 30
Date of Manufacture: November 1980
Obtained from: Zambia Airways, spring 1996
Monarch registration: G-DMCA
Previous registration: N3016Z
First Monarch flight operated: London Gatwick to Alicante, 17 March 1996
Last Monarch flight operated: Manchester to Orlando Sanford, 26 October 2001
Flight deck crew: 3
Cabin crew: 11
Seating capacity: 361
Length: 158’7” (48.33m)
Wing span: 165’4” (50.39m)
Height: 57’9” (17.60m)
Cruising speed: 550mph (885kph)
Maximum range: 6200 st m (9978km)
Engines (three): CF6-50C2
Maximum take-off weight: 260,815 kgs
Maximum landing weight: 259,455 kgs
Empty weight: approx. 120,000 kgs
Fuel Capacity: 110,000 tonnes
Galleys: Seven
Toilets: Nine