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FS2002 DOUGLAS DC-7
American Air Lines
GMAX Version 7/2003
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Painted by Tom Gibson
All-new plane by Greg Pepper, Max, and Tom Gibson
Metal textures by Greg Pepper
Flight dynamics by FSAviator (true FS2002 flight model with dynamics derived from actual flight manual information). For maximum accuracy, refer to the Reference page (F10). This FDE is not designed for AI use - it will not work. Download AI propliners at http://www.calclassic.com/.
AIRCRAFT
1. Virtual Cockpit complete with wing and engine views. The VC has also been edited (by Max) to provide higher accuracy.
If you use my DC-7 Panel version 6 with the latest update (after 7/2003) you may press Ctrl-Shift-1 and Ctrl-Shift-3 to view the wings from the passenger cabin, and Ctrl-Shift-7 and Ctrl-Shift-9 to view from the cockpit.
2. The front cockpit windows have been shortened for higher accuracy.
3. Prop reverse (throttle to idle, click reverse lever, allow plane to slow down, throttle to idle to go back to forward thrust)
4. There are no opening doors on this model.
5. The working cowl flaps are opened by Ctrl-Shift-V, and closed by Ctrl-Shift-C (both in increments) or use the cowl flaps switches. Cowl flap drag will only be simulated if you use the switches.
6. The plane is complete with reflective and night textures (turn on lights with L key, then turn Landing Lights off and on with Ctrl-L). The ice light (upper fuselage) will turn on with the landing lights.
7. The landing gear has working compression struts, and retracts as seen in vintage video.
8. The landing lights light the ground properly, and must be extended before use (press the L key, and then press Shift-W).
9. The prop blades actually rotate when you change the pitch or feather them; to feather the prop select engine by E1, E2, E3, or E4, then press and hold Ctrl-F2. Press M--- and Ctrl-Shift-F1 to shut down the ignition and mixture. Then press E followed by the other 3 numbers so you can operate the other engines. Or use the feather buttons on the panel.
10. Contrails whenever you want them (press the I key)
11. FS2002 style nav, landing, and beacon lights (press the L key)
12. FS2002 style visual effects, including touchdown smoke
13. Working NAV2 radio
This plane also features animated landing gear, flaps, ailerons, elevators, and rudder.
SPEED BRAKES
When flying the DC-7, the main gear can be used as a speed brake. Use the
spoiler key (/) to lower and raise the main gear (in spot view you will
actually see them come down!). Do not lower them at more than 260 kts,
and you should be slower than 170 kts to raise them (the hydraulic system
isn't strong enough to raise them at higher speeds). Thus they are best used
during the descent to landing. There is a red speed brake handle on the panel as well.
REALISTIC ENGINE START
To start the engines realistically and individually, do this:
1. Go to Options/Controls/Assignments and set the 4 starters to
Ctrl-1 through Ctrl-4 (or other keys of your choice).
2. Go to spot view (Shift-S)
3. Press E3 to select engine #3.
4. Tap the Ctrl-3 key just enough to keep the prop moving slowly.
5. Wait for 6 prop blades to pass by.
6. Quickly press M+++: engine 3 will start.
7. Press E4 to select engine #1.
8. Repeat steps 4-6 to start engine #4, using 4 instead of 3.
9. Repeat steps 4-6 to start engines 2 and 1.
10. Press E1234 to get control of both engines back.
11. Normal start sequence is 3-4-2-1.
CHECKLISTS
Press F10. Included are Before Starting Engines, Starting Engines, Engine Run-up,
Before Takeoff, Takeoff Data (V speeds), Climb, Cruise, Before Landing, and After Landing.
Also included is FSAviator's Reference file, with speed limits and climb/cruise powers, among lots of other info.
PANEL:
Please download the DC-7 Panel v6 from www.calclassic.com. If not, you need to edit the panel.cfg file to have a panel with this plane. You may instead download the United DC-7 which will install the panel automatically.
SOUND:
Please download the Prop Sounds from www.calclassic.com. If not, you need to edit the sound.cfg file to have sounds with this plane. You may instead download the United DC-7 which will install the sounds automatically.
FLIGHT DYNAMICS, FUEL PLANNING, ETC.
Press F10 to bring up the checklist and FSAviator's Reference file.
1. Use an unzipper that keeps stored folders intact. Unzip the file "Unzip this to the main FS2002 folder.zip" into your main FS2002 folder (the one with FS2002.exe in it).
2. Refer to the Docs folder found inside the FS2002/AIRCRAFT/DC7Pnl6/DOCS folder for details on the panel, etc.
3. If you want a smokey engine start, read the fx_engstrtreadme.txt file (improved! Now has a shorter duration and doesn't include the flames (causes VC flashing).
When Lockheed developed the L1049 Super Constellation, TWA enjoyed an advantage over other airlines, since the plane had non-stop transcontinental range, and was faster than the DC-6 (TWA marketing people didn't think people would sit still for a non-stop trip, however, and insisted on a stop until American announced upcoming non-stop service with their new DC-7's!). To counter this threat from the Super Conny, American requested that Douglas
develop a plane with the L1049's engines (Wright R-3350's). Douglas was doubtful that a plane like that would sell, so American ordered 25 for $40 million, to provide an incentive. American ended up owning 34 DC-7's, and sales were made almost exlcusively to domestic US operators which used them on transcontinental routes, since the DC-7 didn't have the range for transocean non-stops and thus would not be much improvement over the DC-6B. However,
they were very successful in transcontinental service, since they were faster than the Super Constellations, and allowed American to advertise 8 hour non-stop service.
Sales eventually totalled 105, with the initial purchasers being Untited (57), American (34), Delta (10), and National (4). However, Douglas went on to modify the DC-7 (with more fuel) to the DC-7B, and (with a lengthened fuselage and wings) to the DC-7C Seven Seas, and eventually sold a total of 338 of the DC-7 series, at a substantial profit. The DC-7's proved to be less reliable than the fabled DC-6B, and less economical as well. Thus, the DC-7's had a short stay in service with the major airlines, and were sold soon after being replaced with jets.
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NOTE: This plane and many other classic airliners can be
downloaded free from Tom Gibson's Cal Classic web site at -
http://www.calclassic.com/
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Now the legal stuff:
COPYRIGHT 2003 BY TOM GIBSON AND GREG PEPPER, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
REPAINTS: REPAINTS ARE ALLOWED WITHOUT FURTHER PERMISSION, BUT WE PREFER THAT THEY ONLY BE UPLOADED TO TOTALLY FREE SITES - I.E. NO CHARGES OR SUBSCRIPTION FEES FOR INCREASED ACCESS. HOWEVER, IF YOU REPAINT THE PLANE YOU MUST CREDIT ALL OF THE ORIGINAL AUTHORS IN YOUR TEXT FILE AND INCLUDE THIS TEXT FILE.
YOU MUST REMOVE MY EMAIL ADDRESS FROM ANY REPAINT!
THIS AIRPLANE IS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR, AND CANNOT BE RE-SOLD OR PACKAGED WITH ANY PRODUCT FOR SALE, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS. THIS INCLUDES "FREE" CD COMPILATIONS WITH A CHARGE OF ANY KIND. THIS IS FREEWARE!!
YOU MAY NOT UPLOAD THIS PLANE TO ANY OTHER SERVER, IT MUST REMAIN ON THE ORIGINAL SERVER.
THIS FILE ARCHIVE OR ANY REPAINTS MUST NOT BE UPLOADED TO A SITE OR LOCATION THAT CLAIMS ANY SORT OF COPYRIGHT ON THE FILE; COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR. UPLOADING OF THIS FILE TO SUCH A SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS TO VIOLATE THESE TERMS BY THAT SITE.
THIS FILE ARCHIVE MUST REMAIN INTACT; YOU MAY NOT REMOVE OR UPLOAD PARTS OF THIS ARCHIVE. THIS ENTIRE TEXT FILE MUST BE INCLUDED IN ANY DISTRIBUTION.
THE AUTHORS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT YOU MIGHT INCUR AS A RESULT OF USING THESE PRODUCTS. YOU ASSUME THE RISK OF USE.
