Lufthansa Cargo speeds up MD-11F retirement

Lufthansa Cargo has decided to speed up there retirement plans for MD-11F by 4 years. Now the retirement for the remaining 10 MD-11F will be completed during 2020. Since I love the MD-11. It’s sad to see them go. Twin Engine aircrafts are far better when it comes down to CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency but nothing can beat the AWESOMENESS of a triple engine aircraft!! We still have FedEx and UPS flying the MD-10 and the MD-11 so I hope FedEx and UPS will consider extending their life time rather than retiring them.

  • I LOVE the MD-11!!
  • I HATE the MD-11!!

0 voters

13 Likes

Shame to see Lufthansa retire the MD-11 early but I guess everything has to come to an end. 22 years (by the time they retire) service with Lufthansa isn’t a bad innings.

1 Like

I really have no preference with the MD-11. It’s a pretty old aircraft and obviously out of step with this generation’s aircraft. However, Lufthansa’s commitment to using it as a cargo hauler is still going strong and the hard part to accept is their retirement.

I went on YT and took a look at some AirClips.com videos with the MD-11F. The pilots said the aerodynamics are an exception compared to other aircraft. They said the wings are smaller but there was a tail engine that changed the game.

Landing is also a challenge because of the strange dynamics. Speeds are often quite high (150-160, or even higher), so they need more runway length as to safely land (without using high autobrake power, etc). The MD-11F pilots explained that while they may be able to land, they also need sufficient runway length to takeoff. This may be just one reason the MD-11Fs are being retired quickly.

And their cargo routes are a challenge because of many high-elevation airports they land at (Quito as an example, which is over 9000ft high and MD-11Fs cannot land at airports over 10k high). This means either:

-More runway needed
-Faster landing speed

The only problem is the runway lengths at some of the airports the MDs land at. They’re short. And they have to land at higher speeds. This poses a challenge (as mentioned) for the pilots. This is, however, still a challenge for the 777F but they can slow down faster due to their lower landing speed. Another reason (I still might be wrong) why the 777Fs are chosen to replace the MDs.

7 Likes

I assume we’ll be getting some nice 777Fs at DFW soon 👀

3 Likes

What a shaaaaaaaame.

1 Like

These have always been a familiar site when I flew by NBO a lot. Sad to see them go😔

1 Like

Literally the best poll I’ve ever seen

2 Likes

It just shows how unique the MD-11 is. There is no other tri-jet flying with a glass cockpit(apart from the FedEx MD-10s) and connecting the global economy brilliantly today other than the MD-11.

2 Likes

Yup. I rarely fly it because I only fly real world flights that I can find in the modern day, so I only really fly the MD11 via FedEx and Lufthansa 😥.

It is a great aircraft to fly though. A pain with weight 😂

2 Likes

@Dylan_M how dare you hate the MD-11

2 Likes

@Dylan_M
Conner%202

Why you hate the MD-11?

3 Likes

Ever heard of an opinion? Yeah, that’s why. 😜

2 Likes

Please explain your opinion.

1 Like

Meanwhile UPS and FedEx are flying them in 2050.

2 Likes

Why does he have to explain? He has his opinion and thats his opinion, why would he have to explain?

2 Likes

so true! You have a good sense of humor

2 Likes

The LH Cargo pilots IRL in a YouTube Clip Said it was more problematic to fly without much load than with it!

2 Likes

😂

I’m IF it’s such a pain to try and land this when overweight.

1 Like

Why would you even try to land when overweight? lol

1 Like

The MD-11 is a very difficult one to master the weights.

1 Like