This may be a stupid question, but I was just wondering if having a type rating in a DC-10 also meant you had a type rating in a MD-10? Now I know this may be an even dumber question, but what about an MD-11?

I know the MD-11 has updated engines, avionics, winglets, and I believe it's slightly longer, but what are the major differences between a DC-10, MD-10, and MD-11?

Thanks!

 

FedEx is the only airline flying the MD-10. The pilots are dual type-rated in the MD-11 and the MD-10 as the two aircraft are very similar. And, No, the DC-10 is a completely different animal so the type rating is separate.

 

I gotcha.

So being that Fedex is retiring all of the DC-10's by 2010 I take it flying KC-10's in the Air Force really wouldn't be an advantage anymore when applying to Fedex(not even sure if it really ever was an advantage in the first place)?

 

Sure it would, because an MD-10 is a DC-10 with glass and no engineer.

 

Our DC-10's will be gone by April 09. But your heavy, intl time in the Air Force will look great on the application requardless of what the fleet looks like. FDX probably won't hire off the streets for 2-3 years.

 

I've never met a gas-passer (KC-10 driver) that didn't have value. Your having flown the heavy iron is an advantage, it's just that right now, this industry is in turmoil, but that too shall pass. In the meantime, try to stay current in something with jet engines, and when the time is right, apply. In the meantime, try to find your old buds, who you flew with, that are now working at either FedEx or UPS, and network, network, network. Good Luck.

JJ

 

You can't swing a dead cat in the AOC (FedEx version of Base Ops) without hitting a current/former KC-10 pilot. Sure helped get me through MD11 school...

 

If you really want to improve your chances, go learn to fly a real tanker, gucci boy, fly the 135.

 

Haha. Thanks for all the replies.

Unfortunately I'm not a 10 driver yet. I'm still in UPT right now, but the 10 or 135 for that matter will definitely be at the top of my list.

A few of us were talking to an IP the other day who is a former 10 driver and the question about type ratings in the 10 helping someone get on with Fedex came up and no one really knew so I figured I would pop in here and find out.

Anyways thanks for the info. Flying for the airlines obviously isn't my priority right now, but I enjoy reading all of the threads about military guys transitioning to the civilian side because I'm pretty sure that's definitely something I would like to do one day.

Right now I'm gunning for the 10, but I would be more than happy with a 135. The 10's tanker mission with a lit bit of cargo sounds pretty cool. I also like the fact that the 10 has a quiet flight deck and a flight engineer. It definitely sounds like the Gucci jet it is. I just hope one gets dropped for my class. I honestly haven't seen an Active Duty 10 drop in a while. We'll see though. I can always FAIP if I don't see one in the drop.

 

Don't get ahead of yourself. Get wings. Serve your country. We'll still be here for you when you separate or retire. PIC is what counts...so if you fly a Viper or Herc or a 135 or -10 or Raptor....go do a good job, work to upgrade to IP...and we'll see you when you are ready. You know we aren't that picky--we hire Marines for heaven's sake....

But seriously...job one is be in UPT this Friday. Next Monday your job is to be there NEXT Friday. Get the picture?

You might even find out you like it better than chasing airline dreams. All I ever wanted was to do 7 years and go to Delta. I did 14, then retired a LTC in the ANG, and loved every moment of it. The airline life is good, but the industry is a mess right now. You may find out you have the very best job in aviation. Don't burn any bridges, and smell some roses along the way. And kill a terrorist or two while you are at it....