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Douglas DC-7B
(Domestic) Pilot's
Handling Notes
*************************************
HANDLING THE ENGINES
The DC-7B has four 2450hp Wright R-3350-DA4 Cyclone
TC18 engines which
are fuel injected, two speed supercharged, and turbo
compounded to give
rated power up to 16400 feet. These are the most
complicated piston
engines to enter series production for civilian use
and despite
simplification for use in FS2002 their operation is
complex.
Each has 3250hp available for take
off (at sea level) and for five
minutes in case of emergency. METO power is 2700hp to
5,800 feet.
The constant speed propellers can be feathered and
have reverse pitch.
Automixture control
is provided, but may be overidden.
During climb the primary power reference is MAP, but
in the cruise the
primary power reference is fuel flow.
The power required to cruise this aircraft
economically depends on weight.
Initial cruise may need to be at 1800hp per engine
reducing to 1500hp at
the end of a long flight. To achieve the most
economical cruise condition
as fuel (weight) reduces set the appropriate RPM and
then adjust the
throttles to achieve the stated PPH (per engine) using
the fuel flow
gauge. Intermediate values may be interpolated. If
fuel economy is not
paramount normal cruise MAP may be regarded as 37
inches at all weights
adjusting only RPM in accordance with the schedule
below.
WARNING - NEVER EXCEED 43 inches MAP after noise
abatement or 41 inches
MAP after climb complete.
Maximum fuel load is 35,380 lbs of high density 145
Octane fuel.
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HANDLING THE AIRCRAFT
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Take Off:
APPLY BRAKES
MIXTURE - MANUAL FULL RICH
COWL FLAPS - MID
TRIM 30% full range NOSE UP
FLAP - STAGE 2
CALL for TOGA POWER
(3250hp)
PROPS FULLY FINE
Slowly apply FULL THROTTLE
ROTATE at 125 KIAS
(124,450lbs)
Establish positive rate of climb
GEAR UP
ACCELERATE > 140 KIAS @ <= 500 ft/min
CLIMB 300 feet QFE (agl)
FLAP - STAGE 1
ACCELERATE 150 KIAS @ <= 500 ft/min
CALL for METO Power
**********************************
METO Power: (Climb stage 1 = Noise abatement)
COWL FLAPS - MID
49 inches MAP
2600 RPM
155 KIAS
Climb 2000 feet QFE (agl)
FLAP - UP
ACCELERATE 175 KIAS @ 500 VSI
CALL for climb power
***********************************
Climb Power: (Climb stage 2)
MIXTURE - AUTO
COWL FLAPS - MID
42 inches MAP
2500 RPM
175 KIAS
IF UNABLE to maintain 500 VSI @ 175K
LEVEL OFF & REQUEST STEP CLIMB
WHEN ABLE CLIMB 500 VSI
IN 2000 foot steps
Plan 900 PPH
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Max Cruise (about 1900hp) :
MAX 41 inches MAP in cruise
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2400 RPM
750 PPH
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Econ Cruise at max weight (about 1700hp):
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2300 RPM
735 PPH
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Econ Cruise at mid weight (about 1600hp):
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2100 RPM
680 PPH
Target Cruise TAS (50% fuel): 277 KTAS @ 21,000 ft
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Econ Cruise at light weight (about 1500hp):
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2100 RPM
650 PPH
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Descent:
AUTOMIXTURE - ON
COWL FLAPS - CRACKED
2300 RPM
NEVER EXCEED Vno = 269 KIAS
ABOVE FL150 NEVER EXCEED 260 KIAS
ABOVE FL200 NEVER EXCEED 230 KIAS
REDUCE MAP in stages of 3 inches (per minute)
MINIMUM 23 INCHES MAP
<260 KIAS Speed Brakes may be deployed
*****************************
Holding:
COWL FLAPS - CRACKED
2300 RPM
Slowly REDUCE MAP
To obtain 170 KIAS
To improve passenger comfort
FLAP stage 2 may be selected
MINIMUM 140 KIAS with FLAP 2
Plan 450 PPH at low weight
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Approach and Landing:
MIXTURE - MANUAL RICH
COWL FLAPS - MID
2300 RPM
MAP as required
REDUCE < 180 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 1
REDUCE < 160 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 2
Nearing Glideslope
REDUCE < 150 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 3
ON descending
GEAR DOWN
23 to 27 inches MAP
FLAP - STAGE 4
REDUCE <130 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 5
Cross AIRPORT BOUNDARY 115 KIAS @102,000 lbs MLW
FLARE and LAND
COWL FLAPS - FULL OPEN
AFTER NOSEWHEEL CONTACT
FLAP - UP
REVERSE PITCH
WHEEL BRAKES as required
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Baulked Landing:
CALL for EMERGENCY POWER
PROPS FULL FINE
FULL THROTTLE
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
ROTATE and CLIMB 130 KIAS
Clear of obstacle
GEAR - UP
ACCELERATE >140 KIAS
COWL FLAPS - MID
FLAPS - UP (by stages)
ACCELERATE 175 KIAS
****************************
General:
AEROBATICS are PROHIBITED
NEVER EXCEED FL280
NEVER EXCEED FL250 with passengers
NEVER EXCEED 313 KIAS
ROUGH AIR NEVER EXCEED 269 KIAS
AP in use NEVER EXCEED 269 KIAS
NEVER DEPLOY SPEED BRAKES > 260 KIAS
NEVER EXCEED Vno = 269 KIAS
ABOVE FL150 NEVER EXCEED 260 KIAS
ABOVE FL200 NEVER EXCEED 230 KIAS
FLAP 1 never exceed 191 KIAS
NOSE GEAR DOWN never exceed 174 KIAS
FULL FLAP never exceed 156 KIAS
CLEAN STALL 114 KIAS
STALL with FULL FLAP 89 KIAS
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NOTE: This aircraft's real-world handling notes have
been simplified for
use with FS 2002
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