DC-10/MD-10/MD-11 Engines

[rinoltz]

When I was in the Air Force 13 years ago, a friend of mine that used to work on the KC-10 had told me that when the KC-10 takes off that they do not use the tail mounted engine or they use it at a decreased power until they are airborne. Has anybody every heard of this? If true, would the DC-10 and derivatives do the same? Also, what would the reason be for this?

Thanks,

Brad

[RJP]

The engines on the majority of aircraft are not used to their full power when conditions (eg temperature / runway length / altitude etc) allow reduced power, to reduce wear on the engine & prolong its life.

Applies to the DC-10 but not just the no.2 engine.

He may have been thinking of reverser operation.... On the DC-10 (& I'm pretty sure the KC-10 would be the same), the no.2 reverser is not normally used unless landing at a maintenance base (if it sticks in the deployed position its difficult to re-stow it manually without a proper (tall!) access stand).

Rgds
Richard