IATA D8LICAO DC86

Douglas DC-8-62

Douglas

TravelerPulse profile

Long-range stretched DC-8 variant built for intercontinental routes.

First flight

1966

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

189 (typical mixed class)

Range

10,185 km

Engines

Four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-7 turbofans, podded underwing

Status

Retired

The Douglas DC-8-62 is a stretched and aerodynamically refined variant of the original DC-8 narrow-body jetliner, developed in the 1960s to offer extended range and improved efficiency. It featured a modest fuselage stretch of 2.04 metres compared to the DC-8-61, along with redesigned engine pylons, new engine pods, and extended wingtips, all of which combined to deliver significantly greater range than other DC-8 variants. The -62 entered service in the late 1960s and proved particularly popular with airlines operating thin long-haul routes where the massive capacity of the -61 was not required. It was capable of ultra-long nonstop flights, including transpacific sectors, making it a preferred tool for carriers serving Pacific and other intercontinental routes. Many DC-8-62s were later re-engined with CFM56 turbofans under the DC-8 Super 70 programme, becoming DC-8-72s, which dramatically improved fuel efficiency and noise compliance. The type is largely retired from passenger service today but a small number have operated in cargo roles.

Notable operators

Major operators included Japan Air Lines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, United Air Lines, and Iberia.

Notable facts

›The DC-8-62 had the longest range of any DC-8 variant in its original configuration.
›Wingtip extensions of approximately 91 cm per side improved aerodynamic efficiency.
›It was capable of nonstop transpacific flights between Japan and the US West Coast.
›Many -62s were converted to DC-8-72s under the Super 70 re-engining programme with CFM56 engines.
›Only around 51 DC-8-62s were built, making it one of the rarer DC-8 sub-variants.

Read more on Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.

Encyclopaedia

The Douglas DC-8 is an early long-range narrow-body jetliner designed and produced by the American Douglas Aircraft Company. Work began in 1952 toward the United States Air Force's (USAF) requirement for a jet-powered aerial refueling tanker. After losing the USAF's tanker competition to the rival Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in May 1954, Douglas announced in June 1955 its derived jetliner project marketed to civil operators. In October 1955, Pan Am made the first order along with the competing Boeing 707, and many other airlines soon followed. The first DC-8 was rolled out in Long Beach Airport on April 9, 1958, and flew for the first time on May 30. Following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in August 1959, the DC-8 entered service with Delta Air Lines on September 18.

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