Capt. Shaukat H. Khan  (Ayaz Khan Collection)

PIA's first McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (AP-AXC) seen on take-off under the command of Capt. Shaukat H. Khan for a pre-delivery test flight from McDonnell Douglas aircraft assembly plant in Long Beach, California, in February 1974. AP-AXC was PIA's very first wide body airliner and by flying this aircraft Capt. Shaukat became first PIA pilot to fly a wide body airliner

Capt. Shaukat H. Khan  (Ayaz Khan Collection)

A ceremony organized by PIA at McDonnell Douglas aircraft assembly plant in Long Beach, California, in February 1974 to celebrate Capt. Shaukat becoming first PIA pilot to fly and command airline's first McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (AP-AXC) seen in background which also was airline's first wide body airliner. The photo shows a PIA official snipping Capt. Shaukat's neck tie - a tradition followed in aviation community under which small piece of pilot's clothing is cut to celebrate his first/her first flight on a particular aircraft type. Also seen in this photo are PIA's Director of Corporate Development S. Ajaz Ali (centre - wearing spectacles) and Chief Engineer Research and Development Mohammed Saeed (sitting - right)

Capt. Shaukat H. Khan  (Ayaz Khan Collection)

Capt. Shaukat (sixth from right) seen with a group of PIA officials at McDonnell Douglas aircraft assembly plant in Long Beach, California, in February 1974 with airline's first McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 (AP-AXC) seen in background.  They were part of PIA team which accepted delivery of brand new AP-AXC which also was PIA's first wide body airliner