On 26 May 2012, Jet Classic Tours arranged an Aviation enthusiasts charter of ATI DC-8-62CF from McClellan Airfield near Sacramento to Long Beach.
When the tour was announced, I jumped on the opportunity without even thinking about it, the tour was a huge sold out success immediately. The possibility of flying a DC-8 in year 2012 was quite amazing!
ATI DC-8-62 Combi have 32 passengers seats in the rear compartment of the DC-8, with the front as cargohold. The captain operating the flight told us, “Flying the DC-8 is like driving a dumb truck, while the B707 is like a Cardillac”. Our flight feels extremely overpower and sturdy. Takeoff took only about 20 seconds to airborne. We flew over So Cal coast line and by pass LAX on the way out of Long Beach.
During our time on the ground at Long Beach, we were taken to the old McDonnell Douglas factory site for a tour. We took photograph under the old “Fly DC Jets” sign, which is now a historical sight and forbidden to be taken down.
Please enjoy all the sight and sounds of the DC-8 flight:
Walkaround the ATI DC-8-62 at McClellan Airfield before boarding
Boarding via the rear stairs into pax cabin.
Total capacity 32 seats
Flight 8C207
N799AL
FL 350 Mach 0.82
Flight time 1h10mins
Takeoff over Sacramento area
There is a sliding door access to the cargo hold from pax cabin.
Over LAX during descend into Long Beach
Arriving at Long Beach Ca
Departing Long beach back to Sacramento
Flight 8C208
N799AL
FL 350 Mach 0.82
Flight time 1h10mins
After landing at Sacramento, further explore the cabin and cockpit.
