(4K) Flying a 1942 Douglas DC-3 to the Bahamas from the United States.

I recently had a chance to fly with the crew on this amazing DC-3 operated by Florida Air Cargo: floridaaircarg...
The Douglas DC-3 is a propeller-driven airliner manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company, which had a lasting effect on the airline industry in the 1930s to 1940s and World War II. It was developed as a larger, improved 14-bed sleeper version of the Douglas DC-2. It is a low-wing metal monoplane with conventional landing gear, powered by two radial piston engines of 1,000-1,200 hp (750-890 kW). Although the DC-3s originally built for civil service had the Wright R-1820 Cyclone, later civilian DC-3s used the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engine.[2] The DC-3 has a cruising speed of 207 mph (333 km/h), a capacity of 21 to 32 passengers or 6,000 lbs (2,700 kg) of cargo, and a range of 1,500 mi (2,400 km), and can operate from short runways.
The DC-3 had many exceptional qualities compared to previous aircraft. It was fast, had a good range, was more reliable, and carried passengers in greater comfort. Before World War II, it pioneered many air travel routes. It was able to cross the continental United States from New York to Los Angeles in 18 hours, with only three stops. It is one of the first airliners that could profitably carry only passengers without relying on mail subsidies.[3][4] In 1939, at the peak of its dominance in the airliner market, around ninety percent of airline flights on the planet were by a DC-3 or some variant.[5]
Following the war, the airliner market was flooded with surplus transport aircraft, and the DC-3 was no longer competitive because it was smaller and slower than aircraft built during the war. It was made obsolete on main routes by more advanced types such as the Douglas DC-4 and Convair 240, but the design proved adaptable and was still useful on less commercially demanding routes.
Civilian DC-3 production ended in 1943 at 607 aircraft. Military versions, including the C-47 Skytrain (the Dakota in British RAF service), and Soviet- and Japanese-built versions, brought total production to over 16,000. Many continued to be used in a variety of niche roles; 2,000 DC-3s and military derivatives were estimated to be still flying in 2013;[6] by 2017 more than 300 were still flying. As of 2023 it is estimated about 150 are still flying.
#dc3 #aviationdaily #aircraft

[@markhayes100]

A D day survivor still at work in 2025. Sometimes the right tool for the job in 1944 is still the right tool for the job. Love it.

[@SirDrifto]

@@markhayes100 absolutely agree

[@kenbyrnes2264]

One of the Best Clips i have seen over the years of the DC3 / C47 Thanks One of them Built 1942 is as old as myself Most get over to see them soon .

[@SirDrifto]

@@kenbyrnes2264 thank you!

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Letting the owner of the the line and active pilot talk more would be a good thing. The man absolutely knows the business of short-haul air and ABSOLUTELY loves his DC-3/C-47s! That is the best part of the video.

[@mcdollarstone66]

I used to see these beasts cry over the skies when I lived in North Miami Beach. Usually every tuesday or wednesday morning. Absolutely stunning they still work like clocks.

[@gordonfeliciano4315]

Wow. What a classic! I thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@SirDrifto]

Thanks for watching!

[@BitsofEurope]

Had the pleasure of flying in DC-3 growing up as a child in Papua New Guinea, where the national airline Air Niugini used to use them along with anther iconic aircraft the Fokker F-27. I was lucky enough to fly in civilian DC-3 with Air Niugini and also the military version used by the PNGDF Air Wing which were actually C-47B Skytrains, effectively still a DC-3. The PNGDF version had the glass radome on top of the fuselage behind the cockpit and I remember being helped to climb up the ladder by an air force member and stuck my head up into the radome and looked around. After the Air Niugin DC-3 were decommissioned, a couple sat one end of the runway at Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby and I used to sneak onto the tarmac through the Aero Club and climb into the DC-3 and sit in the cockpit playing with the controls as kids do :) Loved the sound of those Pratt and Whitney twin Wasps, just thunderous and no noise insulation or vibration dampening in those great old birds. No, you get the full experience, sound, smell and vibration...brilliant.

[@SirDrifto]

That’s amazing , what a location to fly too

[@billbristow1768]

Really enjoyed the flight! I've always loved the DC-3.

[@SirDrifto]

@@billbristow1768 thanks for watching!

[@hangie65]

I truly enjoyed this film. To see that today, in 2025, there is a cargo operation using (what appears to be exclusively) DC-3s is both mind-boggling and heart-warming at the same time, considering that these beautiful airplanes are over 80 years old! That there are still DC-3s still earning their keep in this day and age is a testament to the ageless design of the aircraft. I liked the conversation with the pilot prior to the flight (5000 hours on type!), shedding light on the nature of the operation, the costs of the DC-3 and the Turbo Basler conversion and the story of the DC-3s they operate. The fact the he mentions that they would rather use DC-3s that the way more modern SAABs parked in the background is quite telling. The flight was well shot, but to bad that was no cockpit audio after engines on. Thanks for posting and keep them coming!

[@SirDrifto]

@@hangie65 be on the lookout for a 2nd video with in-flight cockpit audio. Figured do 1 with just engine cockpit noise and do another with pilots and atc talking.

[@RaizaMiguez]

I’m retired airline pilot and remember this DC-3 when she flew for Four Star in SJU. I knew all the pilots there back in 80s and 90s. Those were the good days

[@buzzl.8637]

Yes not like now crappy and messed up I had more fun flying back then than I do now the only thing I like now are the glass cockpits and gps auto pilots ..that part of technology

[@themaverickproject4577]

I really have become envious of your aviation life

[@SirDrifto]

Oh don’t get to envious, I got stuck in some questionable airport the other day wishing I had drove 😂

[@jamesparker6017]

Coral Gables 🌴🇺🇸 Hehe. This Pea Patch operation has been in existence since before I started with Pan Am back in the 1960's. Carry on mi amigo 's ! 👌 🏄

[@ronfrost7160]

As a kid, I used to watch these doing top dressing/ crop dusting from my back door, in Rotorua, New Zealand, 1960ish. I didn't realise then what a handful it must have been, in and out of those valleys. Real heroes, those Kiwi pilots.

[@brianalbrecht4423]

as a kid..first time is saw one...i just thought it was the coolest plane....i dont know why.....once i found out the name...i never forgot it..!..DC3..!..& believe me i suffer from CRS...but always rememberd the "DC3"...!...a true work horse..!..well done Douglas..!..this one is flying history..!...SO cool..!..hope they never end up in the bone yard...!..keep'm in the air..bravo..!

[@patrickmcnabb1998]

My mother was born in 1923. She lived to be 101. They made people and airplanes different back then.

[@christy6828]

I learned a lot about one of my favorite planes. Thanks for the ride.

[@justinrivers5397]

I don't understand how this operation is economically feasible, but it is freakin cool!!

[@DavidWilliams-l4s]

My father flew a few thousand hours in one of these during WWll. Never talked about it much but I remember him telling us it was the most relibale and toughest bird he ever flew, also said the scariest flying he ever did was right after the war when they flew the Berlin relief. They flew a narrow corridor both in and out and just at tree top and could not deviate more than a few feet else they would be fired upon. Declined offers to fly civilain after that. Hell of a plane!

[@dbottesi]

Really enjoyed this video..Thanks for posting it

[@sorenfogdenius6393]

Great engine sound 😊

[@scotabot7826]

One of the most beautiful aircraft to ever be designed, period!!!

[@jec1ny]

That was very cool.

[@SirDrifto]

@@jec1ny thanks for watching

[@buzzl.8637]

I love listening to those engines being run up brings back old memories of Central America flying in thec70 and 80 s , the sound of freedom and one of those poor mechanics there attended letourneau university 10 years after I attended .

[@lava1979]

Hello, thank you for the pleasant visit. Peace

[@kend6956]

when i was young , living in the kootenays i flew to calgary every summer for $35.00 it was awesome!!

[@trainman9119]

In 1968 I flew from Miami to Nassau on a Bahamian Air DC3. LOVED IT.

[@SirDrifto]

@@trainman9119 what an era to experience

[@gyrene_asea4133]

1970, Bahrain to Ras-a-Tanora SA. I remember watching the rivets on the engine covers visibly rotating during that flight. Oh, and it was delayed due to having to change the tail wheel. Such a time.

[@frankcastrillo5216]

Thanks for starting the video of my fathers C-47, Atlantic Air Cargo, N705GB. I have my own channel with several videos of flight operations.

[@SirDrifto]

I'd love to come video you guys and that plane sometime!

[@sailing.not.dreaming]

I flew to the Serengeti from Nairobi in a DC3 from 1958 buzzing elephants on the strip unforgettable , windows open!

[@SirDrifto]

@@sailing.not.dreaming that sounds incredible

[@sailing.not.dreaming]

It was

[@larrynoe6162]

I have a bunch of jumps both out of the DC 3 and C 47. Those radial engines just lull you to sleep.

[@johnfisher747]

These old aircraft aren’t pressurized so they’re not subject to as much fatigue and will generally last forever with correct maintenance.

[@Helmetfires]

“Foxtrot Sierra” maybe an old Forest Service smoke jumper plane?? Pretty cool opportunity!

[@pilotnbr12]

looked like a zero zero takeoff... thanks exposure ;)

[@geertvandermeer4938]

Phenomenal.

[@AJFogertyFan2]

Were any of those DC-3s flown by Florida Airmotive back in the 1980s-1990s. Flew in FA hops to the Bahamas many times in their Gooney Birds. Passengers were issued cardboard fans on a stick for air conditioning. On takeoff everyone would flap their fans like mad to help us get airborne.

[@SirDrifto]

That sounds like one heck of an experience

[@elimeir8558]

26:22 is when the symphony starts!

[@Broken_n_Famous]

N138FS N numbers are from 4 Stars Cargo I remember them in SJU

[@bobsdogtag]

spent some time in the 70ties Z Hills Fl. jumped it many times , even had a female in the back on the tarmac she even told me about the zcon beacon ride that involved climbing to the top of rotating beacon and doing it when the beacon was rotating , she signed my logbook with a low #

[@irish11962]

Buffalo Airways in Yellowknife NWT Canada also has a fleet of DC 3’s

[@SirDrifto]

They have some good planes up there

[@sailing.not.dreaming]

my first flight was a DC3

[@jvstcu76]

Totally enjoyable and informative video. What a remarkable "old bird". Does Buffalo Airlines up in Canada still fly their DC-3s? Just thinking about what this plane has been through over the years is mind boggling. Thanks for posting this.

[@billdempster3134]

Check out Hay River to Yellowknife if it is still running for the Boss and passengers

[@gilwanderer7071]

Epic!

[@richardperry79]

Is that N15MA in the background? I used to fly and maintain her!!!

[@SirDrifto]

Yes it sure is, that's very cool.

[@thayalansuntharalingam]

600$/hr operation cost is hard to beat considering its size,speed and capability.

[@BaumannJA]

Did you submit your Resume?? Desert Air in Anchorage is still operating the DC-3 on Daily Freight runs as well. Now you should go check them out!

[@hrr_rules1379]

That's NAC who flies it, right?

[@BaumannJA]

@@hrr_rules1379 I completely overlooked NAC with their C-117 Super DC-3's. Thanks for pointing that out!!

[@avalanche9026]

People mistaken. Thinking it’s such safe undisputed plane …. Reality it’s another thing. It’s all about. The engine power. When that sucker goes for any reason. It’s game over. You pray to find a safe spot to land.

[@denawiltsie4412]

One reason it's still around is because you could take off on one engine. The test was coming to speed with both engines and shutting one down. The design was around before WWII so as I recall it was the first plane able to do that. Ford tri motors needed the extra engine to be save. It was a powerful engine for the time though that title was soon overtaken by better designs.

[@johannesnorrman1297]

We have one flying Dc3 Daisy in Sweden👍

[@SirDrifto]

That’s very cool

[@hoedemakerbart]

Very cool. Those old mechanical birds will fly forever if you keep them properly maintained. Dus it run on 100LL I think a little bit less power on the engines? As a mechanic myself im curious if the engines use the vintage oil spec with zddp ?

[@tedstriker754]

I flew those 3's out of Miami in the mid 70s. and they're still going and look about the same.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

First! Living the dream man!

[@SirDrifto]

Love these old birds

[@Flying55177]

I flew those DC3s in 2017/2018. Good to see Keith and Mauricio, was Alex there too?

[@Night56Owl]

Is that Rob Castrillo in the left seat?

[@DerekObidowski]

these are C-47s mainly as they have the reinforced floor as all C-47s have the Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830 14 cylinder radials as some use the paddle bladed 11 ft Hamilton Standard full feathering hydromatic props the C-47s have the enlarged cargo doors on the left of the fuselage as the Civilian DC-3s and C-53s have the standard door for airlines was for passenger entry and exit. the Civilian DC-3s have the Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 cylinder radials but some other civilian DC-3s the ones specified by United Airlines then required a Pratt & Whitney engine and the R-1830 was chosen among other airlines. As after the war most of these became surplus and airliners started up in these or as private or business planes the C-47 it saw service in Korea as well in Vietnam used as electronic Warfare as well as a gunship and a version the AC-47 gunship with 53 of them modified with three General Electric 7.62mm miniguns on the left side with one firing through the cargo door opening. as of today the DC-3 is still active for limited passenger service or mainly in Cargo in its currrent form or the Basler BT-67 turboprop conversions. the C-47s then were built very strong to handle cargo at the time of WWll such as howitzers, trailers, the Willys Jeep and other cargo as some were used on D-Day to tow Waco CG-4 gliders as today the military retired these for bigger cargo aircraft the Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster lll.

[@evansnyder8461]

Crazy to think your prime package could’ve come on a DC-3, lol!

[@tacoma2256]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@MichaelSuter-s9k]

As they say, only one replacement for a DC3, that's another one.

[@SirDrifto]

@@MichaelSuter-s9k that's true!

[@JohnPlatford]

It would be cool to fly in a dc3 and have Harrison Ford flying it in Indie costume. 😂

[@SirDrifto]

@@JohnPlatford bucket list stuff right there

[@lorenzomendes3582]

20:00 cheers mate

[@collin6238]

I thought this bird only flew in South America and Africa

[@laura-ann.0726]

It was beautiful to watch this classic old girl still working the airways. But I am curious about the economics of this air freight business. It's a 2 hour round trip flight. At 100 gallons of fuel per hour per engine, at $7.50/gallon for 100LL, that's $2,400 round trip just for the fuel. Then there's maintenance costs and insurance for the aircraft, salary and benefits for all the employees, airport fees...The Bahamas aren't very far from Miami; 3 hours to Bimini by ferry. It just seems to me that it would cost a lot less per ton to transport freight like this on a ferryboat. Ferryboats burn fuel (marine diesel) that's about 1/3 the price of avgas. A slow cargo ferryboat would probably take 10 hours, so it is slower than flying, but it's not like it would be 2 or 3 weeks to get your shipment; maybe 2 days? Or is this air service carrying high-priority cargo that the customer is in a hurry to get, such that 2 hour delivery is worth the higher cost?

[@danwilson9530]

I know this comment is not really well thought out and will sound somewhat ridiculous, but I’ve wondered why Boeing (being heir of Douglas) hasn’t considered bringing back the DC-3. I know the tech is antiquated, but it’s simple, rugged and lasting. Other than modernization where necessary, like the engines, the fundamental airframe is fine. Considering the surviving examples that are able are still in commercial use, and more would be if airworthy, I think there’s a market for such an aircraft. I mean, compared to developing a 797, how much could updating a DC-3 cost? I’ll bet there are in-house engineers who’d advance the work on the side as a labor of love and take a cut of eventual sales. I know… some crazy thoughts, but there must be an ounce of viability to the idea.

[@SirDrifto]

Not a ridiculous comment at all, sometimes it’s hard to surpass an amazing aircraft design, I think these are far more rigid than any modern design because they had to be. Check out bassler. They’re kinda modernizing dc3s to some degree.

[@danwilson9530]

@ Exactly my point. Would seem like a potential revenue stream for Boeing to tap into that market with a new example similar to the Basler update… or buy Basler since they’ve already done the engineering to apply to a new version. I mean, the 737 I quite old as well, but they keep updating it. I’d think a modern cargo-centric DC-3 would be a good product, especially if had a 90 to 100 year life expectancy if maintained. Great video!

[@D_Zerkovitz]

The Convair in the back appears as a youngtimer compared to these...😆

[@SirDrifto]

@@D_Zerkovitz those Allison turboprops sound sound like a dream, too

[@larrynoe6162]

There are many 3’s that have been converted to turbine still flying and South America still flys them for cargo and people.

[@Stephen-oy7fl]

140 miles?? Is that all?

[@gibememoni]

yes people have done it on jet ski

[@stephenpittman4291]

90 year old plus design , and in some cases 80 yrs airframe age…. Unbelievable, America knew how to do it back then.

[@medfadlakmedfadlak2288]

Flying IFR in sketchy DC3s for minimum wage in Bermuda Triangle? Priceless.

[@SirDrifto]

@@medfadlakmedfadlak2288 couldn't get any better 😄

[@scottyscave]

Buffalo Airways 🇨🇦

[@Smoozl]

Wait please somone elaborate for me: They are not just flying but are STILL in service?? Howwwww is that still even possible and profitable. That is insane. This is the only time I have ever seen a DC-3 that's still in service doing actual flights for an airline. Thank you! ❤

[@SirDrifto]

@@Smoozl it's really a special situation these birds are in

[@billdempster3134]

Costs vs benefits Low(?) initial cost of aircraft but high maintenance + skilled manpower time/rare spares/gas availability vs revenue They do it still in Colombia successfully from Villavicencio to villages where no turbines/jets dare on unmade roads/runways and no other transportation if no river or jungle roads .It works .

[@jaessongee8864]

I think Buffalo fly them!

[@rusty-tv8qt]

What a beautiful sexy aircraft ❤

[@iansmartel5473]

Buffalo Airways most probably have some.

[@SirDrifto]

@@iansmartel5473 I forgot they are still running c47s

[@avalanche9026]

Airframe it’s stress out. Many years in service. Must really pay attention. Could cost your life. It’s an old bird

[@casondave]

Meh, don't get too full of yourself there bud - Canucks in Yellowknife use the same birds and do it in the arctic and the yukon year round - Miami's environment is sweet eff all compared to that !!.

[@bladi-senpai9398]

Miami is an environment corrosive asf on the coastline. And if we talking about cold, white desert is serving antartica on moded DC3 those are cant be beaten.

[@Georg-f5hj]

😂die haben während des Fluges die Bibel auswendig gelernt 🙄😂😂