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Boeing 377 Statocruiser Pilot's Handling Notes
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ENGINES

The Stratocruiser has four 2800hp Pratt & Whitney R-4360-TSB3-G Wasp Major engines which are carburetted and turbocharged to give rated power up to 23500 feet. Each provides 3500hp for take off (at sea level) with water methanol injection and 3250hp (dry) for five minutes in case of emergency.

The constant speed propellers can be feathered and have reverse pitch.

Automixture control is provided, but may be overidden.

WARNING - Step Climb technique required.

AVOID - climbing to altitudes which max cruise power cannot sustain. If you cannot accelerate > 190 KIAS in max cruise power you have exceeded your operational ceiling. Descend 2000 feet.

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HANDLING THE AIRCRAFT

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Take Off:

APPLY BRAKES

MIXTURE - AUTO FULL RICH

COWL FLAPS - MID

TRIM 20% full range NOSE UP

FLAP - STAGE 1

CALL for TOGA POWER (3500hp)

PROPS FULLY FINE

Slowly apply FULL THROTTLE

ROTATE at 115 KIAS (145,800lbs)

Establish positive rate of climb

GEAR UP

ACCELERATE 150 KIAS @ <= 500 VSI

CLIMB 500 feet AGL

FLAP - UP

CALL for METO Power

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METO Power: (Climb stage 1 = Noise abatement)

COWL FLAPS - MID

53 inches MAP

2550 RPM

170 KIAS

Climb 2000 feet AGL

ACCELERATE 185 KIAS @ 500 VSI

CALL for climb power

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En route Climb Power: (Climb stage 2)

COWL FLAPS - MID

2350 RPM

45.5 inches MAP

Minimum 500 VSI

In high temperatures SPEED MAY DECAY at 500 VSI

IF UNABLE to maintain =>175 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

AVOID - climbing to levels which max cruise power cannot sustain

Plan 800 GPH

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Max Cruise:

COWL FLAPS - CLOSED

2100 RPM

41 inches MAP

If unable => 190 KIAS descend to lower level

Plan 650 GPH

Note: - Yields 295 KTAS at FL250

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Econ Cruise:

WARNING - not available at high weights

COWL FLAPS - CLOSED

2100 RPM

38 inches MAP

If unable => 180 KIAS descend to lower level

Plan 550 GPH

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Final Cruise at FL250:

38 inches MAP

Gradually reduce rpm from 2100 to maintain

180 KIAS

(264 KTAS in ISA)

MINIMUM 1400 rpm

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Descent:

DO NOT EXCEED 271 KIAS

DO NOT EXCEED M0.585 - USE BARBER POLE

AUTOMIXTURE - ON

COWL FLAPS - CRACKED

2100 RPM

REDUCE MAP in stages of 3 inches (per minute)

MINIMUM 17 INCHES MAP

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Holding:

COWL FLAPS - CRACKED

2100 RPM

Slowly REDUCE MAP

To obtain 175 KIAS

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Approach and Landing:

MIXTURE - AUTO RICH

COWL FLAPS - MID

2350 RPM

MAP as required (MIN 17 inches)


< 200 KIAS

GEAR may be used as air brake if required


REDUCE < 160 KIAS

FLAP - STAGE 1


Nearing Glideslope

REDUCE < 150 KIAS

FLAP - STAGE 2


ON descending

GEAR DOWN


REDUCE < 140 KIAS

FLAP - STAGE 3


REDUCE < 120 KIAS

FLAP - STAGE 4


Cross airfield boundary 100 KIAS (@ 121,700lbs)

FLARE to ZERO PITCH

COWL FLAPS - FULL OPEN

FLAP - UP

REVERSE PITCH

WHEEL BRAKES as required

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General:

AEROBATICS are PROHIBITED

NEVER EXCEED FL250 certification limit

NEVER EXCEED 305 KIAS

NEVER EXCEED M0.585 - USE BARBER POLE

ROUGH AIR NEVER EXCEED 271 KIAS

GEAR DOWN NEVER EXCEED 200 KIAS

FLAP 1 never exceed 191 KIAS

FULL FLAP never exceed 162 KIAS

CLEAN STALL 115 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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