Omni Air Scraps 3 DC-10s

na · Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:43 pm

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/regdb.main?LC=nav4&page=4

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Danny Fritsche

photo captains says one of them has its tail cut off already.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Szabolcs Kelemen

Byebye, old ladies.

faddypainter · Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:01 pm

A sad, but inevitable end to these beautiful DC-10s.

I had the privilege of seeing N522AX in the air at my local airport before her end of service. It was wonderful to see, considering I was never around during the DC-10's heyday.

At least the MD-11 will live on for a while yet, even if only as a freighter after the last KL birds are gone.

DL_Mech · Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:05 pm

"Tail knocked off" could mean that the tailcone was deployed.........

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Paul Robinson

kc135topboom · Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:11 pm

Quoting DL_Mech (Reply 2):
"Tail knocked off" could mean that the tailcone was deployed.........

It could mean that.....but I doubt it. It sounds to me like they are being scrapped.

AmricanShamrok · Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:33 pm

There have been a lot of unplanned tech stops with these OY birds over the last year or two. Regardless I'll miss seeing them and their smokey takeoffs at SNN - looks like the 757s/767s/777s will become more regular here now.

DL_Mech · Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:39 pm

Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 3):
It sounds to me like they are being scrapped.

Do they scrap planes in Tulsa?

GIANCAVIA · Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:40 pm

Quoting AmricanShamrok (Reply 4):
There have been a lot of unplanned tech stops with these OY birds over the last year or two. Regardless I'll miss seeing them and their smokey takeoffs at SNN - looks like the 757s/767s/777s will become more regular here now.

Year by year my interest in aviation gets dumbed down just that little bit more. No more noisy smokeys around, Hardly any Russian types fly to the UK.. Boring Boeing/Airbus Boeing/Airbus ZzzzZZzzzz

na · Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:53 pm

Quoting Giancavia (Reply 6):
Year by year my interest in aviation gets dumbed down just that little bit more. No more noisy smokeys around, Hardly any Russian types fly to the UK.. Boring Boeing/Airbus Boeing/Airbus ZzzzZZzzzz

and more an more zzzzzzzzztwinjetszzzzzzzzzzzz777szzzzzzzzA330szzzzzzzz. Goodbye diversity, welcome to uniformity.

I dont care for noisy smokey as such, and the DC-10s maybe old, but they were stylish and distinctive were our slick modern future 330777350 world means flying boredom.

GIANCAVIA · Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:28 pm

Quoting na (Reply 7):
and more an more zzzzzzzzztwinjetszzzzzzzzzzzz777szzzzzzzzA330szzzzzzzz. Goodbye diversity, welcome to uniformity.

I dont care for noisy smokey as such, and the DC-10s maybe old, but they were stylish and distinctive were our slick modern future 330777350 world means flying boredom.

Yeah fraid so. I like the smokers.. As a little guy I remember L1011.. DC8.. 727.. lol I am only in mid twenties but it seems like by the time I finally reached the age to afford a decent camera all the interesting airliners have dissapeared. Even new Russian planes look Generic and western.

Fiveholer · Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:29 pm

Yes, they are dismantling them here at TUL. There is a white one here now, I'll see about getting a tail number after I get off work this afternoon. I am at the terminal now and I actually have my camera with me today so maybe I'll get a shot or two of it this afternoon. I received an email from an OAI DC-10 pilot that was wanting a print of the shot of mine that was linked above and he told me they are done with the DC-10s, sadly.

Danny

SEPilot · Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:37 pm

Aircraft can be designed in many ways, but with the money involved efficiency is paramount, and the most efficient design that fulfills all relevant requirements is the tube with wings twinjet with engines on the wings. Every other design that has been built has been shown to have significant drawbacks that cost efficiency, and hence have been abandoned. With your personal car you can afford inefficiency if you want (I just traded a car that got 32+ MPH consistently for one that gets about 24 because I liked it better-but it's my money and I can afford it); but airlines do not have that luxury. The difference amounts to millions of dollars per year; buying planes because you like their looks is a pretty sure way to end up bankrupt.

catdaddy63 · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:07 pm

N603AX seems to have escaped her fate, she was gone yesterday when I flew out of TUL. They hadn't painted over her titles when I saw her on the Omni ramp a couple of weeks ago. N270AX is in process of dismantling, N720AX met her sad fate last month. Sad to see these old birds on the chopping block, but enevitable in this economy.

N707PA · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:12 pm

Quoting catdaddy63 (Reply 11):
N270AX is in process of dismantling

This was the final DC-10 built....delivered in 1989.

PSU.DTW.SCE · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:15 pm

Were any of these former NW DC-10s?

Revelation · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:15 pm

You are making a grown man cry!

GIANCAVIA · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:22 pm

Quoting SEPilot (Reply 10):
Aircraft can be designed in many ways, but with the money involved efficiency is paramount, and the most efficient design that fulfills all relevant requirements is the tube with wings twinjet with engines on the wings. Every other design that has been built has been shown to have significant drawbacks that cost efficiency, and hence have been abandoned. With your personal car you can afford inefficiency if you want (I just traded a car that got 32+ MPH consistently for one that gets about 24 because I liked it better-but it's my money and I can afford it); but airlines do not have that luxury. The difference amounts to millions of dollars per year; buying planes because you like their looks is a pretty sure way to end up bankrupt.

You are correct however I am simply looking from an enthusiast point of view and its getting really boring. All the new liveries are white with billboard titles and all the new planes look the same shape.. No fun.

SEPilot · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:33 pm

Quoting Giancavia (Reply 15):

You are correct however I am simply looking from an enthusiast point of view and its getting really boring.

I am an enthusiast as well, and also an engineer. I appreciate the wonderful job that both manufacturers are doing in creating aircraft that are exceptionally elegant and at the same time extraordinarily efficient (to this engineer, anyway, design efficiency has its own inherent beauty). The only plane in current production that I consider ugly is the A380; but even there I appreciate its efficiency. Even though they all look more and more alike, it is still fun spotting the differences, and in fact it is more challenging. And on a personal note, it was quite a struggle for me to come to terms with the loss of efficiency in my recent car trade. But there were enough factors to make me overcome it.

[Edited 2012-02-14 07:35:11]

n7371f · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:40 pm

Quoting catdaddy63 (Reply 11):
N603AX seems to have escaped her fate, she was gone yesterday when I flew out of TUL.

Quoting PSU.DTW.SCE (Reply 13):
Were any of these former NW DC-10s?

N603AX is. It was N238NW with Northwest. Acquired in early 1998. Shows this DC-10 as a DC-10-30ER.

The other (2) Omni DC-10's listed here are not ex Northwest. These are the ex-red tails my database shows went to Omni:

N236NW - never went into service. Ferried Marana-Tulsa and scrapped.
N238NW - N603AX
N239NW - N612AX
N240NW - N621AX
N243NW - N522AX
N244NW - N531AX

soonerflyer · Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:48 pm

Quoting catdaddy63 (Reply 11):
N603AX seems to have escaped her fate, she was gone yesterday when I flew out of TUL. They hadn't painted over her titles when I saw her on the Omni ramp a couple of weeks ago.

I fueled ship 603 on Friday for its last flight to GYR. It was still in Omni paint and logos, according to my source at Omni it will be in long term storage. But its fate will most likely be the desert forever. When 603 departed it performed a fly by and was quite a site to see.

mayor · Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:21 pm

My son-in-law has been flying DC-10s for Omni and now they've parked all of them, but I had no idea that they were scrapping them. He tells me that they parked a 757 last week and are looking to furlough some pilots. He's hoping that he can get into a 767 class instead of being furloughed. I believe that Omni is still looking for more 777s, though.

cargolex · Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:28 pm

Sad but inevitable. They are too old and too high cycle for anybody to be seriously interested in them, and the conversion program ended years ago. Even then, DC-10 freighters are not very attractive anymore (I believe an Ex-CargoItalia DC-10, I-CGIA, was recently cut up as well) unless they're in fantastic shape with low hours. Not too many 30+ year old planes qualify in that regard.

chrisnh · Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:30 pm

Bangor, Maine saw many of these come through while doing troop charters. Little by little the big tri-jets (at least the original incarnations of same) are evaporating.

na · Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:59 pm

Quoting SEPilot (Reply 10):

We all know that, but it doesnt make the outlook of a future avaition world full of boring 777330350s any better. For me, an enthusiast who admires the beauty of airplanes, the outside of a plane is as important as the inside, and as such I shiver when thinking about the likely scenery on a 2020s airport.

Quoting SEPilot (Reply 16):
The only plane in current production that I consider ugly is the A380

The A380 is no beauty, granted, but the disproportioned 777-300 imho isnt any better from an aesthetic standpoint. But while the A380 is at least is distinctive, impressive and supremely comfortable, while the 77W is just plane boring, made even worse due to its commercial success.

longhauler · Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:04 pm

I recall seeing one of the Omni DC-10s at YYZ, when doing an equipment substitution for another airline. I jumped over to the gate to get a closer look. I thought the paint scheme suited the aircraft well, and while I have never seen so many seats in a DC-10 before, I couldn't help but notice the aircraft was "brand-new" spotlessly clean, inside and out.

davs5032 · Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:43 pm

Quoting na (Reply 22):
disproportioned 777-300

I'm sorry but I've gotta ask (I swear this isn't an A/B thing): What about the 77W is dis-proportionate? It's not overly-stretched, at least not in comparison to the A346. Also, I don't exactly see it as non-distinctive or boring given its massive engines, which were (and still are) unique in size to any other civilian jets....

I guess I just don't get it

na · Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:09 pm

Quoting catdaddy63 (Reply 11):
N603AX seems to have escaped her fate, she was gone yesterday when I flew out of TUL. They hadn't painted over her titles when I saw her on the Omni ramp a couple of weeks ago. N270AX is in process of dismantling, N720AX met her sad fate last month. Sad to see these old birds on the chopping block, but enevitable in this economy.

Thanks for the update.

Quoting davs5032 (Reply 24):
I'm sorry but I've gotta ask (I swear this isn't an A/B thing): What about the 77W is dis-proportionate? It's not overly-stretched, at least not in comparison to the A346. Also, I don't exactly see it as non-distinctive or boring given its massive engines, which were (and still are) unique in size to any other civilian jets....
I guess I just don't get it

While 777-200 looks "right" to me, the -300 imho is just beyond the limit (much like the A346, agreed, but the 4 engines give that one a better balanced look). Actually many didnt like the 773 when it came out, I think that its been quieter in that respect recently has to do with getting used to its odd silhouette. The thin long tailfin, the even keel that abruptly curves upwards way to much at the back, to me the 773 just is an eyesore. Now if it would be rare, ok, but that its excellent engineering pushes aside better looking planes makes me somewhat sad. Some people dont like the A380, I dislike the 773/W. Same goes with other overly long planes, I didnt like the DC-6-61, the 757-300 is the ugliest modern plane for me, and I dont think I´ll welcome the coming A350 btw, so its not an anti-B thing for me at all. Its more that I see that my enthusiasm will vanish once its generic twinjets all around. But, hey, I´ll be a retiree when that sad day will come...

Quoting SEPilot (Reply 10):
The difference amounts to millions of dollars per year; buying planes because you like their looks is a pretty sure way to end up bankrupt.

Well, yes, but since when isnt it true that the 748I and A380 do offer better economics, use less fuel per pax than every twinjet except the 787.

mayor · Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:12 pm

I suppose it's a good thing that the airlines don't buy their a/c, based on the recommendations of spotters!

United_fan · Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:25 pm

Jeez,how sad. The ex-NW Omni -10's looked fantastic. I will always remember gassing up the rental @ Terrible's on LV Blvd in LAS watching an Omni -10 clib off rw 25R bound for HNL . Those GE CF6's sounded sooooo nice! Epsecially with the 100+ temps!

n471wn · Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:28 pm

Quoting mayor (Reply 19):
I believe that Omni is still looking for more 777s, though.

there is one 200 currently available that has been in long term storage at Wallops Island Airport for non-payment of work performed---it was just acquired by Bank of Utah who would love to sell or lease it...

mayor · Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:34 pm

Quoting n471wn (Reply 28):

there is one 200 currently available that has been in long term storage at Wallops Island Airport for non-payment of work performed---it was just acquired by Bank of Utah who would love to sell or lease it...

I think they got their first two from Air India.

davs5032 · Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:36 pm

Quoting na (Reply 25):
The thin long tailfin, the even keel that abruptly curves upwards way to much at the back, to me the 773 just is an eyesore.

If I'm going to be picky, I'd have to agree in part with you, as there are certain individual aspects on the 77W that might seem slightly small relative to the size of the frame. The thin-ness of the tailfin is something that I have noticed, although wasn't too bothered by it. My biggest issue with it is how the 777 appears somewhat like a "small head on a big body"..but it has grown on me in the past few years.

Quoting na (Reply 25):
and I dont think I´ll welcome the coming A350 btw, so its not an anti-B thing for me at all.

The A350, like the 787, will at least have that "technologically advanced" look to it, with the wings, and stylish front, etc, which are enough to keep things interesting IMO.
-However, some on here have brought up the whole A350-11 idea, which, if it happened, would be the extreme ultra-stretch horror

canyonblue17 · Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:46 pm

I just watched a smokey B722 take off a few minutes ago from PBI. It was a Kalitta Charters aircraft bound for Lexington. It brings the horses in and out during polo season here in Palm Beach. Hate to see it leave.....love to watch it go!!!!

United_fan · Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:48 pm

Quoting canyonblue17 (Reply 31):
I just watched a smokey B722 take off a few minutes ago from PBI. It was a Kalitta Charters aircraft bound for Lexington. It brings the horses in and out during polo season here in Palm Beach. Hate to see it leave.....love to watch it go!!!!

Especially since Mr Trump upgaded to his 'new' 757.

airsmiles · Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:55 pm

So which Omni DC10 was sitting on the cargo ramp at ATL on 5th Feb? Was that one still in service or withdrawn?

United_fan · Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:27 pm

How about the Omni -10 stored @ BWI for a while?

drd747 · Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:52 pm

The five ex-NWA DC10's will be stored in GYR indefinately. They are not anticipated to be torn down. N270AX is the last passenger DC10 delivered. It is a very low cycle airplane with just over 10000 cycles, but it was built as a light weight aircraft and there is just no demand for it.

Spacepope · Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:18 pm

Quoting United_fan (Reply 34):
How about the Omni -10 stored @ BWI for a while?

That one was written off after a hard landing. Stored is putting it kindly.

Polot · Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:20 pm

Quoting Spacepope (Reply 36):
That one was written off after a hard landing. Stored is putting it kindly.

For what its worth, that is an ex-World DC-10, not ex-Omni.

Spacepope · Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:25 pm

Quoting poLOT (Reply 37):
For what its worth, that is an ex-World DC-10, not ex-Omni.

Indeed, you are correct!

nws2002 · Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:34 pm

Quoting DL_Mech (Reply 5):
Do they scrap planes in Tulsa?

Omni tears them apart at TUL if that's what you mean. I can see two from the hangar I work at part-time.

IL96M · Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:46 pm

Quoting na (Reply 7):
and more an more zzzzzzzzztwinjetszzzzzzzzzzzz777szzzzzzzzA330szzzzzzzz. Goodbye diversity, welcome to uniformity.

Sounds like Formula 1!

bennett123 · Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:20 am

I did not realise that the BWI DC10 still existed.

NWS2002

Do you know which ones they are. Perhaps you can some pictures before they are gone for good.

alphaomega · Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:26 am

Quoting mayor (Reply 29):
Quoting n471wn (Reply 28):

there is one 200 currently available that has been in long term storage at Wallops Island Airport for non-payment of work performed---it was just acquired by Bank of Utah who would love to sell or lease it...

I think they got their first two from Air India.

They actually came from UA who had leased them to AI - if you look at the cabin of Omni's 772s they are identical to UA Y seats, and the same 2-5-2.

Quoting bennett123 (Reply 41):

I did not realise that the BWI DC10 still existed.

Its actually visible on Google Earth

N126DL · Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:16 am

Last time I was in ATL (last month) N522AX was on the north ramp at ATL next to the area where DL does RONs over New Year's, followed by N270AX the next morning--is that a normal parking spot for Omni aircraft or might they have ben there on their way out to TUL?

Newark727 · Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:39 am

Oh, what a shame. I caught a glimpse of an Omni DC-10 tail once at LAX but it never came back. I know they passed through Bangor a lot and I'd been meaning to spot there, but that never happened. Sign of the times, I guess it was inevitable.

3holer · Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:00 am

Quoting n126dl (Reply 43):
Last time I was in ATL (last month) N522AX was on the north ramp at ATL next to the area where DL does RONs over New Year's, followed by N270AX the next morning--is that a normal parking spot for Omni aircraft or might they have ben there on their way out to TUL?

270 was parked last September in TUL, so it wasn't in ATL last month. Omni has a MX base at North Cargo and overflow parks on the Atlantic Aviation ramp.

N14AZ · Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:33 am

Quoting na (Reply 25):
But, hey, I´ll be a retiree when that sad day will come...

Hmm, I was actually planning to start again planespotting when becoming a retiree. But you maybe right, at that time it will be more exciting to become an ornithologist...

Question: I remember seeing an ex-DF Omni DC 10 with German registration stored in the western part of FRA (near line up area of runway 18). Is this DC 10 already in heaven?

GIANCAVIA · Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:41 am

Quoting N14AZ (Reply 46):
Hmm, I was actually planning to start again planespotting when becoming a retiree. But you maybe right, at that time it will be more exciting to become an ornithologist...

Heh Ironic you mention this. I have gone majorly in the way of birds and other wildlife rather then watching planes anymore. Never was a "spotter" as such. Didnt collect registrations or travel around trying to make C/N numbers but I did sit for hours photographing planes because I enjoyed it. The lack of diversity has just cut down my interest. Which sucks because I LOVE aviation. But I dont enjoy looking at the same shape or hearing the same noise. Have to say I dont throw the 757 itno my Boeing/Airbus rant. It atleast looks different (anorexic?) and sounds badass while climbing.. but thats becoming rare enough nowdays.

UM78 · Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:40 am

Quoting Giancavia (Reply 6):

You are so right.......

I just remember one of this bird been completed repainted in OTP last year..

[Edited 2012-02-15 02:42:19]

SEPilot · Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:52 am

Quoting na (Reply 25):

Well, yes, but since when isnt it true that the 748I and A380 do offer better economics, use less fuel per pax than every twinjet except the 787.

Size increases efficiency, but at present there is no engine large enough to power either of these as twins. As soon as there is, be assured that a twinjet will beat them.

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net