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Douglas DC-8 Series 50
ALM Antillean Airlines
2nd Generation
Historic Jetliners Group
(DC-8 Project Team)
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This FSDS Pro model is for FS2000 only.
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This is a pretty good model of the DC-8 series!
There is a good description of the DC-8 series at www.boeing.com
The -50 series DC-8's were made up of several variations. They were the last of the origianl "baby-eights" and were the first -eights to use Pratt & Whitneys new Turbo Fanjet engines. Typical loading, was a flight crew of 3. A cabin crew of 4 to 5 and a mixed class seating arrangment up to 180 pax.

Credits and History:

Dee Waldron: FSDS Pro model.
Michael Verlin: Flight Dynamics modeling.
Yannick Charland: Master Textures and Night Lighting
Painted by: Michael Verlin
David Eckert: FSDS model crew figures.
Kim Simmelink: The original FSFS designer of our 1st generation model.


This aircraft model was specially prepared by The Historic Jetliners Group (DC-8 Project Team). Please visit our website at: http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/dc8_team/home.htm
More DC-8 models, other classic jetliners and instrument panels are available for download there. All free!

Installation
If everything goes right, this should be easy. I spend a lot of time working on these zip file structures to ensure easy installation.
After unzipping the DC-8-53 HJG ALM.zip package, you should have:
1. DC8-50.TXT this text file
2. and a folder named dc853alm

Inside the dc853alm folder are all the goodies to make this airplane work with FS2000. The tree structure of dc853alm should be preserved from unzipping when using WinZip, so all you need to do is copy the dc853alm folder into your FS2k\Aircraft folder. Now you're finished.

This model has working landing lights (lamps only). Animation includes all of the primary and secondary control surfaces, and the landing gear. Landing gear includes all working door details.
Please note that the DC-8 has no spoilers or leading edge slats. The engine fan animation is the best I could do, considering the large size and complexity of the MDL.


FS2k Considerations
This airplane uses a true FS2k flight model by Michael Verlin. Its recommended that you use a true FS2k instrument panel. Although the FS Converter panel will work, we recommend one of our DC-8 panels. They can be downloaded for free at our website and at places like SurClaro and SurClaro.com.

Flying the DC-8
We are still learning to fly the DC-8 ourselves! Planning is everything with this airplane. You must stay ahead of it!
The landing gear has a very long wheel base and a narrow wheel track. Ground handling isn't to difficult though if you plan ahead. In tight areas, slow down!
At MTOW, set the flaps to 15 degrees, a little nose up trim and increase the power to 100% N1. Expect the airplane to roll about 6000 to 7000 ft before reaching Vr (about 143 kts). DO NOT PULL THE NOSE UP STEEPLY. You'll hit the tail! At V2 and positive rate of climb, gear up and look for a target speed of about 180 kts and climb 2200 ft/min. As you clean up the flaps during your climb, the airspeed will increase quickly. You will have to reduce power quite a lot to keep from breaking the 250 kt speed limit below 10,000 ft. Power managment is a full time job with the DC-8.
It hand flys quite nice, but autopilot operation is preferred above 10,000 ft and 250 kts.
Plan well ahead for your descent! Reduce power to flight-idle and start trimming the nose up to bleed the speed down to 250 kts indicated. Drop in 1 notch of flaps, then start your descent. Monitor power and airspeed closely. Maintain 250 kts down to 10,000 ft. If you get into airspeed trouble, use the landing gear to slow down!
Approach (Vref) with full flaps and 145 kts max (143 best). The airplane should hold a nose down attitude during approach. Pull the power levers all the way back to the flight idle gate as you over fly the fence and start trimming the nose level. Hold her level and let her settle in. After all 3 gear are firmly on the ground, reverse thrust and brakes. Expect the landing roll to be about 5000 to 6000 ft. This is not an airplane for small airports!

Numbers out of the book:
Max Taxi Weight: 328,000 lbs
Max Takeoff Weight: 325,000 lbs
Max Landing Weight: 217,000 lbs
Operating Empty Weight: 138,266 lbs
Max Zero Fuel Weight: 190,000 lbs
Max Payload: 51,734 lbs
Max Seating Capacity: 189
Max Cargo Volume: 1,390 cubic feet
Usable Fuel: 23,393 gallons (US)

Sharing experience
Flying this great airliner will be a lot more fun if everyone shares their experience. Please come by our website and log-on to our forum and join the discussion. We're having fun building them. We want to hear you're having fun flying them!
http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/dc8_team/home.htm

Legal Stuff
This aircraft model is not Freeware, its Conditionware. It is provided free for your personal enjoyment under the following conditions:
1. Under no circumstances is this aircraft, textures, or derivatives made from this collection of files to be sold for profit in any way, shape or form. This includes pay for paint services.
2. You may upload this unaltered archive to any free site on the internet that does not charge to download it. You may NOT include this archive on any commercial or bonus disc (CD, DVD, etc.).
3. You are free to change the paint job, but credit for the aircraft model, flight dynamics and night lighting mod's should be duly noted. Questions concerning clarification of this rule can be posted on our forum at our website.
4. More detailed information concerning our use policy is available at our website.

The copyright of the original FSFS model belongs to:
Kim Simmelink
ksimmel@execpc.com

The copyright of this FSDS Pro model belongs to:
Dee Waldron, The DC-8 Project Team
e-mail: 71124.3643@compuserve.com

The copyright of the Flight Dynamics belongs to:
Michael Verlin, The DC-8 Project Team
e-mail: mverlin@tampabay.rr.com

The copyright of the Master Texture Set belongs to:
Yannick Charland, The DC-8 Project Team
e-mail: yandiggity@hotmail.com