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Douglas DC-8 Series 40 Version 1.3
FS2000 model: Dee Waldron
DC-8 Project Team
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This model is for FS2000 only.

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 -40 series DC-8's were made up of 3 models, the -41, -42 and -43. The -43 was the most produced of the 40 series. The most outstanding feature of the -40 series was their Rolls Royce Conway powerplants. A radical departure from Douglas's traditional reliance on Pratt & Whitney. Typical loading, was a flight crew of 3. A cabin crew of 4 to 5 and a mixed class seating arrangment up to 170 pax. There are no remaining -40's in service today.

This AF99 model is a combination of Bill Aldersons DC-8-10 and Kim Simmelinks -20 model. Actually, the model here is all new. I only used their AFX blueprints for reference.
Michael Verlin put together this outstanding FS2k flight model.

Credits:
Bill Alderson: For his DC-8-10 model.
Kim Simmelink: For his DC-8-20 model.
Dee Waldron: AF99 model, and moving parts animation.
Michael Verlin: FS2k Flight Dynamics modeling.
Engine Textures: John Keane
Painted by:

This aircraft was specially prepared by the DC-8 Project Team. Please visit our website at: http://oasis.fortunecity.com/clubmed/286/dc8.html

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 DC8-40.ZIP package, you should have:
1. DC8-40.TXT this text file
2. and a folder named DC8-40

Inside the DC8-40 folder are all the goodies to make this airplane work with FS2000. The tree structure of DC8-40 should be preserved from unzipping when using WinZip, so all you need to do is copy the DC8-40 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 Olav Roennigen's DC-8 panel, upgraded for FS2k by Michael Verlin. It can be downloaded for free at our website and places like SurClaro and SurClaro.com. Check the DC-8 Project Teams website for the most current version available.
As far as night lighting in FS2k is concerned, besides the nav lights, landing light lamps and anti-collision lights, the cabin/cockpit windows will light up at night and the wing landing lights will "splash" on the fuselage and nacelle sides when switched on at night.

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 8000 to 9000 ft before reaching Vr (about 135 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 135 kts max (133 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 (Don't drag the tail!). 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: 318,000 lbs
Max Takeoff Weight: 315,000 lbs
Max Landing Weight: 207,000 lbs
Operating Empty Weight: 136,509 lbs
Max Zero Fuel Weight: 178,200 lbs
Max Payload: 41,691 lbs
Max Seating Capacity: 177
Max Cargo Volume: 1,390 cubic feet
Usable Fuel: 23,393 gallons

Sharing experience
As you gain experience flying this airplane, please edit the pop-up checklist. And later when you've come up with good numbers and procedures, please send the checklist back and share it with us. We want to post updated checklists, AIR files and other stuff at our website for other sim flyers. So please check back to the DC-8 Project page often for updated checklists, AIR files, panel recomendations and such.
Flying this great airliner will be a lot more fun if everyone shares their experience.

Legal Stuff
This aircraft is Freeware. It is provided for your personal enjoyment.
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. You are free to paint this model as you wish, but credit for the aircraft and flight dynamics should be duly noted.
You may upload your finished model to any free site on the internet that does not charge to download it.

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

The copyright of this AF99 model belongs to:
Dee Waldron
e-mail: 71124.3643@compuserve.com

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