First Boeing MD-10 Freighter Successfully Completes Initial Flight
The first Boeing MD-10 takes off from Long Beach Municipal Airport on its inaugural flight. "MD-10" is the designation given to modified DC-10s that incorporate the Boeing Advanced Common Flight deck, which accommodates a two-person crew. The MD-10 flight deck is similar to the Boeing MD-11, allowing the crews to fly the two airplanes interchangeably. Two other MD-10s are scheduled to join the flight-test program, which is expected to last 10 months. Certification of the airplane will follow successful completion of the flight-test program. Certification is required because of the new avionics on the airplane