The Caledonian DC‐10s Available to Purchase

Two DC 10–30 aircraft are now in full operation with British Caledonian Airways, the first having commenced operations with the airline in March this year and the other in May. The decision for BCAL to acquire wide‐body equipment had to be made on the basis that the in‐service date would be commercially right for the airline, and involved factors such as operating patterns, fleet size and market growth. Three types were initially considered; the Lockheed TriStar 1011–500, Boeing 747, and the DC 10–30. At the time that the decision was made (mid‐1976), it was apparent that the TriStar‐500 could only be considered further if the go‐ahead decision was assured, and the ‐100 proposed as an interim type was considered to fit in reasonably with BCAL's plans. The Boeing 747 SP was thought to provide too much capacity for the immediate and foreseeable requirements of the airline, and was more expensive. The final decision to acquire two DC 10's was taken in July last year, the deal also involving the option to acquire a further two aircraft at a later date.