Why The McDonnell Douglas MD-11’s Main Landing Gear Needs 12 Tires

The introduction of the Boeing 747 in the late 1960s and early 1970s marked the beginning of the widebody market in commercial aviation. Aircraft like the Boeing 747, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, and the Lockheed L-1011 introduced an unprecedented payload capacity and long-range capability compared to earlier narrowbody jets. These jumbo jet designs allowed airlines to move more passengers and cargo farther and faster. This helped to accelerate international connectivity and transformed the economics of both passenger and air cargo operations.