{"id":55,"date":"2025-09-01T22:04:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T22:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/?page_id=55"},"modified":"2025-09-06T12:57:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T12:57:40","slug":"55-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/55-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Flying the DC-3\/C-47"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flying the DC-3\/C-47 &#8220;by the numbers&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The DC-3, like all aircraft, should be \u201cflown by the numbers.\u201d To get from one airport to another the pilot must takeoff at the proper speed, climb and descend at established rates and airspeed, maintain desired headings and altitudes, navigate from one airport to another, perhaps perform an instrument approach to an airport, and land in a variety of wind and runway-surface conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A typical flight has seven segments:&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pre-Takeoff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Takeoff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climb<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cruise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Descend<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Approach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Landing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">TAKE-OFF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aeroworx.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/TakeOff-300x161-1.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pitch Trim<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;+3\u00b0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flaps<\/strong>:&nbsp; Zero Degrees (Fully retracted) unless short-field takeoff,<br>then half-flaps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lock the tail wheel when lined up on the runway (Don\u2019t forget<br>to unlock it before landing!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Power Settings<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; Full Throttle, High RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixture<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;Auto Rich<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rotate<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; 84 kts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Full Power for <strong>One Minute Max<\/strong>&nbsp;then reduce to Climb power setting<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CLIMB<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aeroworx.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Climb-300x161-1.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Power Settings<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;36\u2033 Manifold Pressure, 2350 RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best Rate of Climb<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; 108 kts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixture<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; Auto Rich<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Power CLIMB<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"345\" src=\"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1024x345.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-172\" style=\"width:413px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-1024x345.png 1024w, https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-300x101.png 300w, https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-768x259.png 768w, https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png 1515w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Power Settings<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;42\u2033 Manifold Pressure, 2550 RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best Rate of Climb<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; 108 kts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixture<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; Auto Rich<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CRUISE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aeroworx.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Cruise-300x161-1.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Power Settings<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;30\u2033&nbsp;Manifold Pressure, 2050 RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixture<\/strong>: Auto Lean<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DESCEND<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aeroworx.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Descend-300x161-1.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Power Settings<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;20-22\u2033&nbsp;Manifold Pressure, 2050 RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixture<\/strong>: Auto Rich<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Descend from Cruise Altitude to In Range, set power for&nbsp;<strong>500 fpm<\/strong>&nbsp;and maintain cruise speed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>STEEP DESCEND<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aeroworx.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/SteepDescend-300x161-1.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Power Settings<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;18\u2033&nbsp;Manifold Pressure,&nbsp;1700 RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mixture<\/strong>: Auto Rich<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Not higher than&nbsp;cruise speed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">APPROACH\/LANDING<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Initial Approach speed<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp;105 kts,&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>\u00bd&nbsp;<\/strong>flaps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Final Approach speed<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; 85 kts,&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>\u00be<\/strong>&nbsp;flaps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201c<strong>Over the fence<\/strong>\u201d at:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   75-80 kts,&nbsp; &nbsp;full flaps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Full Flaps for landing unless gusty conditions or strong cross winds.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Land on the main wheels&nbsp;only, no 3-point landings.<br>Hold the tail-wheel off with forward yoke until it gently settles to the runway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MP vs RPM Settings &#8211; General<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Above 140 kts<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; MP at least 5 inches above RPM\u2026 example \u2026 Cruise = 30 inches, 2050 RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>100&nbsp;\u2013 140 kts<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; MP at least \u201csquare\u201d \u2026 example \u2026 19 inches and 1900 RPM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Below 100 kts<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; MP can be reduced to below RPM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flap Extension Speeds &#8211; Maximum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recommended flap extension speeds for the DC-3:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>10 degrees flaps:<\/strong>\u00a0At 130 knots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>20 degrees flaps:<\/strong>\u00a0At or below 105 knots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>30 degrees flaps:<\/strong>\u00a0At or below 99 knots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>40 degrees flaps (full flaps):<\/strong>\u00a0At or below 97 knots.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gear Extension Speed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>140 kts maximum<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stall Speeds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>No Flaps<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;65 kts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Full Flaps<\/strong>:&nbsp; &nbsp; 58 kts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cowl Flaps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open<\/strong>&nbsp;only when on ground<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Closed<\/strong>&nbsp;in cruise configuration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Flying the DC-3\/C-47 &#8220;by the numbers&#8221; The DC-3, like all aircraft, should be \u201cflown by the numbers.\u201d To get from one airport to another the pilot must takeoff at the proper speed, climb and descend at established rates and airspeed, maintain desired headings and altitudes, navigate from one airport to another, perhaps perform an instrument [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-55","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":316,"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions\/316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldtour.dc3airways.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}