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From: markmo@tekig4.UUCP (Mark Morland)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: DC3 flying
Message-ID: <345@tekig4.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 30-Oct-85 21:10:07 EST
Article-I.D.: tekig4.345
Posted: Wed Oct 30 21:10:07 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Nov-85 03:09:39 EST
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 22

Two weeks ago I flew a DC3 for about 45 minutes of mostly straight
and level.  I found it to be very stable, and had a good control feel,
if heavy (considering it's gross is about 10X anything else I've
flown, that was no surprise).

I am accustomed to some control cable slack from the Wichita
Spam Cans, but this DC3 was TIGHT.  Elevator trim is driven by a 10"
dia. brass wheel on the left side of the throttle quadrant.  Dialing
the wheel maybe 3/16" would produce a 150fpm climb or dive.
 
Cruise was about 125ktsindicated at 9000' with 6500 lbs of cargo.  The
return flight with 2500 lbs. showed 136kts at 8000'.  Cruise rpm was
2050, takeoff power had 'em spinning 2400 rpm.  The engines have 1930
cu. in. for 1200hp each.  This particular bird was built in 1942.

Biggest impression?  That's easy, NOISY.  It wasn't just the engines,
there were hydraulic pumps whining and alot of wind noise, though I
think most of the high frequency ringing was from my cheapo headset.

Hopefully I'll get to try an 85hp J3 this weekend!

Mark Morland   tektronix!tekig4!markmo