DC10-30 To Be Disassembled In Memphis

The first airplane to be disassembled and sold for parts at the new Qwest Air Parts facility in Crestview, FL, is a former World Airways DC10-30, which landed at Bob Sikes Airport (KCEW) last Sunday.

The Memphis, TN-based company will make a business of taking apart retired airliners and selling their parts on the world market. They will be operating out of a temporary hanger at Bob Sikes until their new building is completed.

Okaloosa (FL) County Commission Chair Wayne Harris told the Crestview News-Bulletin "this is the start of big things for our airport." The company will reportedly initially hire 5 to 10 new people to join the 22 employees already working at the airport. Qwest told the paper that every part of the airplane will be sold except the aluminum skin, which will be scrapped after all the usable parts have been removed.

As the new business gets going, officials are looking at improvements to the airport as well. The county will entertain an $11.5 million package of airport improvements at its regular meeting in December which would widen the runway to 75 feet and improve drainage at the field. The FAA and the state of Florida are expected to provide $8 million of that amount, with the airport making up the difference. Airport Director Greg Donovon told the paper that no taxpayer money would be used for the project.

Meanwhile, a second DC30-10 is scheduled to land at KCEW for disassembly next week.

FMI: www.qwestairparts.com