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Douglas DC-7C Pilot's Handling Notes
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HANDLING THE ENGINES
The DC-7C has four 2450hp Wright R-3350-EA4 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 3400hp available for take off (at sea level) and for five minutes in case of emergency. METO power is 2920hp to 4,800 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 1900hp per engine reducing to 1600hp 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 38 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 51,000lbs 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 1
CALL for TOGA POWER (3400hp)
PROPS FULLY FINE
Slowly apply FULL THROTTLE
ROTATE at 122 KIAS (143,000lbs)
Establish positive rate of climb
GEAR UP
ACCELERATE 160 KIAS @ <= 500 VSI
CLIMB 300 feet QFE (agl)
CALL for METO Power
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METO Power: (Climb stage 1 = Noise abatement)
COWL FLAPS - MID
51 inches MAP
2650 RPM
160 KIAS
Climb 2000 feet QFE (agl)
FLAP - UP
ACCELERATE 190 KIAS @ 500 VSI
CALL for climb power
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Climb Power: (Climb stage 2)
MIXTURE - AUTO
COWL FLAPS - MID
43 inches MAP
2500 RPM
500 VSI
SPEED WILL DECAY - MINIMUM 172 KIAS
IF UNABLE to maintain =>172 KIAS
REQUEST LEVEL OFF & STEP CLIMB from ATC
ACCELERATE > 190 KIAS
WHEN CLEARED BY ATC CLIMB 500 VSI
IN 2000 foot steps - Repeat as necessary
Plan 950 PPH
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Max Cruise (about 1800hp) :
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2400 RPM
750 PPH
Never Exceed 41 inches MAP in cruise
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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 light weight (about 1600hp):
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2100 RPM
680 PPH
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Descent:
AUTOMIXTURE - ON
COWL FLAPS - CRACKED
2300 RPM
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 < 170 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 2
Nearing Glideslope
REDUCE < 160 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 3
ON descending
GEAR DOWN
23 to 27 inches MAP
FLAP - STAGE 4
REDUCE <140 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 5
Cross AIRPORT BOUNDARY 105 KIAS (@ 111,000lbs)
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 >160 KIAS
COWL FLAPS - MID
FLAPS - UP (by stages)
ACCELERATE 190 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
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 162 KIAS
CLEAN STALL 107 KIAS at MLW
STALL with FULL FLAP 80 KIAS at MLW
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NOTE: This aircraft's real-world handling notes have been simplified for use with FS 2002
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