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Douglas DC-7B (Domestic) Pilot's Handling Notes
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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.
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
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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
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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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