DC-8 FACTS The DC-8 is known as a "man's" airplane as they claim it is the hardest airliner in the world to fly. It takes up to 80 pounds of pressure to pull the control column. The DC-8 is also known as the toughest airliner ever built as it was constructed to a heavier than required standard to be sure it never shared the same fate as the Air Comet.   *The test-supported design life of the DC-8 is 100,000   hours and 50,000 cycles, (N905CL retired at 50.410 hours,   and many other early DC-8's retired at only 30.000 hours)  Maximum takeoff weight 155.130 kg 342.000 lbs (DC-8-31 limit was 300.000 lbs)  Maximum airborne 154.677 kg 341.000 lbs  Maximum landing weight 113.399 kg 250.000 lbs  Maximum zero fuel weight 104.327 kg 230.000 lbs  Empty weight 60.750 kg 133.930 lbs  Fuel weight 74.843 kg 165.000 lbs