ALL AIRCRAFT McDonnell Douglas DC-8 71 - 73F

McDonnell Douglas DC-8 71 - 73F

A large, four-engined, narrow-bodied freighter built for medium- to long-haul transportation. Loaded and unloaded through a large cargo door in the upper hold and separate forward and aft lower doors.

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BUILT FOR LONG-RANGE CARGO

Heavy Freight with High-Altitude Performance

The McDonnell Douglas DC-8 71 - 73F are two variants of a four-engine, narrow-body aircraft originally developed as a commercial jetliner with capacity for up to 250 passengers. Converted to a freighter, the DC-8 is a durable aircraft able to accommodate substantial payloads and providing long-range capabilities.

Built with a strong and structurally rugged frame, the DC-8 is known for its reliability, long operational lifespan, and ability to cruise at higher altitudes to avoid weather disruptions, increasing its efficiency.

Its high altitude performance allows it to easily operate at higher altitude airfields, and its payload capacity overcomes any concern of inefficiency when compared to more modern and fuel-efficient aircraft.

Choose AirFreight.com and get the right aircraft for your shipment. Let our concierge-level customer service and complete shipment flexibility get your delivery where it needs to be when you need it there.

Exclusive use of aircraft, ensuring no conflicting priorities

24/7/365 service availability for whenever you need transport

Platinum-level service and timing to reduce stress

In-flight tracking for accurate delivery status information

Cargo Capacity & Access

The large main deck is a fully open cargo space that extends from behind the cockpit to the rear of the fuselage. The floor is reinforced to support high-density loads and designed to carry palletized cargo or containers. Roller systems enable easy movement of cargo, and tie-down points secure the loads. The lower deck is separated into two sections located on the right side of the aircraft. When all holds are combined, the aircraft can hold 10,400 cubic feet of cargo weighing up to 88,400 pounds.

Cargo Doors: The primary cargo door for the main deck is 137 inches wide and 86 inches in height and is located on the left side of the aircraft. Placement of the door between the nose and the main wing allows for substantial clearance for service equipment and vehicles to operate. The cargo door swings upward and clear of the doorway.

The lower deck is accessed through two doors forward of the wing and two doors aft of the wing, with each approximately 36 inches wide and 44 inches in height. Belt ramps are typically used to service the lower deck.

Moderate-sized industrial equipment and assemblies.

Oil and gas assemblies and components.

Replacement parts for critical machinery or vehicles.

Specialized tools for repair or maintenance.

Time-sensitive goods.

Emergency equipment for disaster-affected areas.

Top Down Cutaway

Main Deck (Top)
Lower Deck (Bottom)

Max Payload

Cubic ft: 10,400
Weight: 88,400

Side Cargo Doors

Main Deck
Width: 137 in
Height: 86 in

Lower Deck Fore
& Aft
Width: 36 in
Height: 44 in

Range & Routes

The DC-8 has a non-stop range of approximately 6,000 miles at maximum payload, making it ideal for domestic routes across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Airport Requirements

The DC-8 is a narrow-body jet but requires a relatively long runway due to its potentially high takeoff weight at maximum payload.

Taxiway Width: The aircraft’s length of 151 feet and wingspan of 142 feet requires a taxiway with a minimum width of 75 feet for optimal maneuvering.

Parking Apron Space: A parking apron of at least 165 feet square is required to accommodate its length and wingspan while allowing enough room for service vehicles and equipment to maneuver.

Ground Handling: The aircraft requires a cargo loader to lift cargo to the main deck. Belt or cargo loaders may be used to transfer cargo on the lower deck.

Fueling: Fueling may be carried using large capacity fuel trucks or fueling systems capable of transferring large quantities of fuel. Fuel capacity depends on the weight of the payload carried by the aircraft and the range of travel required, but may be up to 24,000 gallons depending on the model.

Power and Air Support: DC-8s are not typically equipped with internal auxiliary power units to provide electrical and pneumatic power when the engines are not running and rely on a ground power units to power electrical and pneumatic systems.

Runway Requirements

Takeoff Runway Length: The minimum runway length for a DC-8 at maximum payload is approximately 8,000 to 10,000 feet. This requirement will vary based on altitude, temperature, wind conditions, and runway conditions. High-altitude airports with elevations over 8,000 feet may require longer runways due to lower air density.

Landing Runway Length: At maximum payload, the DC-8 requires a minimum runway length of 6,000 to 7,500 feet. Wet, icy, unpaved, gravel, or grass runways may increase the minimum landing distance required for safe operation.

Crew

The DC-8 F is operated by a crew of three. Additional cargo support personnel may be assigned to the flight by the carrier to monitor the cargo and coordinate seamless end-to-end delivery.

KEY AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS

Length

151 feet

Wingspan

142 feet

Maximum Takeoff Weight

355,000 pounds

Maximum Payload

Approximately 88,400 pounds

Range

Approximately 6,000 miles with a full payload including crew, fuel, and cargo

Cargo Volume

Approximately 10,400 cubic feet

Cruise Speed

560 miles per hour

Engines

Typically equipped with four Pratt & Whitney CFM56 turbofan engines

Critical Heavy and Oversized Air Shipments

AirFreight.com leads the way in handling heavy and oversized freight shipments for time-sensitive cargo. Our expertise in air freight logistics covers routing, scheduling, and shipping solutions to solve your immediate challenges. We provide fast and reliable solutions to keep your operations running smoothly while helping you avoid costly delays.

The Challenge

An important manufacturing plant in Nevada faced an emergency when a critical industrial turbine used in petrochemical production suffered a catastrophic failure. Without a replacement for the turbine, the plant’s refining work would come to a standstill and result in significant financial losses and supply disruptions. The only available spare turbine was located at a supplier’s facility in Pennsylvania over 2,200 miles away.

How We Solve It

Needing immediate transport, the plant’s logistics team contacted AirFreight.com, a company experienced in handling “line down” freight. The plant’s dedicated Expeditor quickly assessed the problem and determined that an air charter was the best solution due to the turbine’s size, weight, and urgent deadline. This option guaranteed exclusive use of aircraft for the heavy and oversized cargo and supporting equipment.

A DC-8 freighter was available and selected for its ability to accommodate the shipment. The Expeditor arranged for a direct flight to Nevada to avoid severe weather systems affecting the East Coast and coordinated every step of the process, including dispatching a dedicated semi-tractor trailer to the supplier’s facility to pick up the crated turbine as soon as it was ready for transport to the airport.

What Sets Us Apart

For the duration of the flight, the Expeditor provided in-flight tracking, so the plant was aware of the real-time status of their cargo. After a non-stop flight of five and a half hours, the aircraft touched down at the receiving airport. Another semi-tractor trailer, also arranged by AirFreight.com, accepted the shipment and quickly transported the turbine to the plant. Within hours, the turbine was delivered, installed, and brought online by the plant’s maintenance crew, preventing an extended shutdown and allowing the plant to operate at full capacity.

AirFreight.com prevented a catastrophic delay and helped support the continued operations of a vital manufacturing plant. With our ability to act quickly and to assess challenges and coordinate critical shipments, AirFreight.com remains the trusted choice for urgent, time-sensitive freight solutions.