N252UP

This airframe, registered as N252UP, is a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F built in 1996 with manufacturer serial number 48768. The freighter is owned by UNITED PARCEL SERVICE CO, a corporate operator based in Louisville, KY, United States, and operates in UPS’s global cargo network under United States registration. The aircraft’s history includes conversion to a main-deck palletized freighter configuration and integration into a fleet of MD-11Fs used for heavy cargo trunk routes; the conversion and continued corporate operation represent the principal notable registry and configuration actions for this airframe. Condition and valuation highlights are fleet-standard for a late-model MD-11F operated by a major integrator, reflecting typical maintenance and overhaul regimes for a tri-jet freighter in revenue service.

The cabin on this specific airframe is a main-deck freighter layout, configured for palletized cargo on the converted main deck, with a minimal flightcrew and ancillary cabin seating complement of 7 seats focused on operational staff and crew rest. Avionics fit follows operator-standard MD-11F transport configurations suitable for long-haul cargo operations; specific avionics detail is not published for this tail. Typical mission profiles for N252UP include long-range, high-payload trunk routes within UPS’s intercontinental schedule, operating from its Louisville base and other major cargo hubs. Maintenance considerations for this airframe reflect tri-jet engine maintenance cycles and structural inspections associated with palletized main-deck freight operations.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F family occupies a niche as a long-range, high-payload tri-jet freighter platform capable of transoceanic cargo missions, with the powerplant suite of GE CF6-80C2D1F engines delivering the stated thrust for heavy-lift performance. Competing models in the heavy freighter segment include twin-engine widebodies adapted for freighter use; demand from integrators favors the MD-11F where payload and range requirements align with fleet economics. Maintenance and resale considerations for an MD-11F such as N252UP emphasize airframe hours, cycle history, and the costs associated with sustaining three-engine operations versus modern twin-engine alternatives.