Douglas DC-4 Pilot's Handling Notes


SUMMARY.

This DC-4 has four 1200hp Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11M2 Twin Wasp engines which are carburetted and highly supercharged. 1450hp is available for take off. The high speed blower provides 1100hp up to 15,000 feet. The constant speed propellers can be feathered. Automixture should be selected from the realism screen.

WARNING - These engines suffer from harmonic vibration. Avoid use in the rpm ranges 1550 to 1800 and 2310 to 2510.

This aicraft is not pressurised. With passengers aboard operation above 12,000 feet should be restricted to 30 minutes per flight. For long haul military cargo flights with crew on oxygen normal C-54G cruise was at FL140.


HANDLING THE AIRCRAFT

Take Off:

BRAKES = ON
CARB HEAT = COLD
COWL FLAPS = MID
FLAP = STAGE 2
CALL for TOGA POWER (1450hp)
PROPS = FULL FINE
THROTTLE = FULL
BRAKES = OFF
ROTATE = 105 KIAS (@ 73000lbs)

Establish positive rate of climb

GEAR UP
<= 500 ft/min
ACCELERATE > 120 KIAS
FLAP = STAGE 1
CLIMB 200 feet AGL
FLAP = UP
ACCELERATE = 140 KIAS
CALL for METO Power


METO Power (1200hp)

COWL FLAPS = MID
MAP = 43
RPM = 2550
140 KIAS
Check CHT < 260C
Above all ATC departure retsrictions
CALL for climb power


Climb power:

COWL FLAPS = MID
MAP = 40
RPM = 2300
140 KIAS
Check CHT < 230C
Plan 2000 PPH

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Max Cruise (c 825hp x 4):

COWL FLAPS = CLOSED
MAP = 36
RPM = 2100
Check CHT < 230C
Plan 1650 PPH


Normal Cruise (c 720hp x 4):

COWL FLAPS = CLOSED
MAP = 33
RPM = 2000
Check CHT < 230C
Plan 1450 PPH


Long Range Cruise (c 600hp x 4):

COWL FLAPS = CLOSED
MAP reduce to sustain zero pitch
RPM = 2050
Check CHT < 230C
Plan 1200 PPH

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Descent:

DO NOT EXCEED 218 KIAS
AUTOMIXTURE = ON
COWL FLAPS = CLOSED
2050 RPM
REDUCE MAP in stages of 3 inches (per minute)
MINIMUM 20.5 INCHES MAP
See CARB HEAT below


Holding:

COWL FLAPS - CRACKED
2050 RPM
Slowly REDUCE MAP
140 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 1 may be used
Check CHT < 230C
Plan 180 USG per hour

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Approach and Landing:

MIXTURE - RICH
COWL FLAPS - MID
2050 RPM
REDUCE < 150 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 1
REDUCE < 140 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 2

Approaching the glide slope or base leg

REDUCE < 130 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 3

ON descending

GEAR DOWN
FLAP - STAGE 4
Cross THRESHOLD 87 KIAS (@ 63,500lbs)
FLARE and LAND
COWL FLAPS - FULL OPEN
AFTER NOSEWHEEL CONTACT
WHEEL BRAKES as required

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Carb Heat:

When < 30 inches MAP with an OAT below 5C (40F)
use carb heat periodically to clear carburettor ice.
Continuous use of carb heat is not recommended.

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General:

AEROBATICS are PROHIBITED
NEVER EXCEED 218 KIAS
FLAP 1 or 2 never exceed 175 KIAS
GEAR DOWN never exceed 156 KIAS
FLAP 3+ never exceed 130 KIAS
CLEAN STALL 87 KIAS at MLW
STALL with FULL FLAP 78 KIAS at MLW
NEVER use autopilot below 500 feet

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NOTE: This aircraft's real-world handling notes have been simplified for use with FS 2004