With all of its 2850 pounds of fuel aboard, and a max
ramp weight of 10,680 pounds, only 430 pounds of payload remains.
The DC10-44 is specifically designed for pushback and towing operations (with a tow bar) for civil and military aircraft with a maximum
ramp weight of up to 400 tonnes.
These values, as stated in the Pilot's Operating Handbook, apply to specific conditions, i.e., maximum
ramp weight, a 1G load imposed on the airframe and the engine operating optimally generating maximum hp at normal barometric pressure and temperature.
Total airplane weight, assuming a full fuel load, was 2857 lbs, 299 lbs over maximum
ramp weight. The center of gravity (CG) was calculated to be 3.7 inches beyond the aft limit predicted by extrapolation.
Maximum
ramp weight for the Eclipse is 6034 pounds, so again, at 5975 pounds, the Cessna 340 comparison is apt.
Max
ramp weight is 4358 pounds, giving the tested airplane a useful load of 1287 pounds, or 134 pounds less than in Piper's advertising literature.
Finally, depending on the kit, the installation of VGs may allow an increase in max takeoff weight,
ramp weight and zero-fuel weight or some combination of these.
However, when fully ballasted the Challenger 150 is also able to perform pushbacks on Boeing 767-200/300 series aircraft at their maximum
ramp weights. The vehicle is equipped with hydro-pneumatic front axle suspension.
The DC10-44 incorporates the latest cab, in-cab Layout and other features, many of which have been incorporated across the complete range of Douglas conventional aircraft towing tractors including the latest forward control, four-wheel drive DC5-42 conventional tractor that can be ballasted from 5 tonnes to 7 tonnes, designed for pushback and towing operations with regional type aircraft with maximum
ramp weights up to approximately 50 tonnes.
Available in six- or seven-tonne versions, it is designed to handle regional aircraft types with maximum
ramp weights of up to 50 tonnes.
Douglas has sold approximately 500 towbarless tractors to customers throughout UK, Europe, Scandinavia, North America, Middle East, North Africa, South East Asia and the Far East including China and Japan for handling civil transport aircraft with
ramp weights of 50 tonnes and above.
With
ramp weights of over 600 tons, the giant aircraft will not only impose new demands on tow-tractors; it also places new demands on the airport paving surfaces.
