MSFS Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Classic Variant Full Flight Tutorial (with Improvement Mod)

Updated, more realistic engine start tutorial: • New REALISTIC Engine S... | Note: Never fly under the influence of alcohol, as you can see it leads to lacking concentration and it's very easy to mix things up ;) Still this is a full flight tutorial for the Aeroplane Heaven Douglas DC-3, another free aircraft included in the 40th Anniversary Edition of MSFS. I'm using the "Duckworks DC-3 Improvement Mod" by Imenes in v0.1.7, which still uses the "default" engine start procedures. In case you're using the mod from v0.1.8 onwards, these procedures have changed. You find the tutorial for those procedures above.
I hope you enjoy our little VFR trip from Sedona (KSEZ) to Grand Canyon (KGCN), including VOR to VOR navigation and the use of the Sperry Gyro Pilot.

[@HELERsx]

Some important advices: climb Power is 36MP and 2300 RPM, try not to exeed it! At take off and landing, stop forcing the tail to do something. For Takeoff: Let the tail come up and push yoke fully forward while it comes up and during TO-Roll until Vr is reached. Normal start is with flaps 0. Only at super short runways TO with flaps to half way up. Landing: Push the yoke downward after touchdown until the tail goes down by itself. Raise the flaps after touchdown to accelerate the progress. Wait for the tail to come down before you pull the yoke full up.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Thanks for your tips there! Actually after finishing the tutorial I did improve my flying with this bird a lot (esp. TO and LDG), still I will pin your comment for others to see. Cheers :)

[@saren6538]

Does the plane have actual failures that can trigger if flown too hot etc ?

[@HELERsx]

@@saren6538 get the duckworks mod from flightsim.to. Works best and is the most realisitic.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

@@saren6538 Not entirely sure. The default plane definitely not. Maybe with the Duckworks mod installed.

[@Euer_Hochwuergen]

@@saren6538 it has

[@djken4k864]

Finally! A real tutorial that explains everything. Thank you. I understand much better now this classic beloved aircraft.

[@twistedyogert]

A testimony to how durable these old birds are is that there are a few still flying. Some have had the piston engines replaced with turboprops but I believe that the airframes are the same. I'm also guessing that the avionics have been updated as well.

[@kokoeteantigha389]

What would life have been like without this Sim?! Thanks for this very exquisite video, mate - and happy thanksgiving!!

[@Lince7722]

Finally a well explained video for VOR navigation with DC3. I have learned a lot about this plane with such a detailed video. Thank you very much.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Thanks for your kind words, I'm glad the video helped :)

[@obriets]

Whipping around is definitely how you say it. Enjoying your videos!

[@dadtype2339]

Ty for this tutorial, excuse my drunk learning, ha! But seriously on a fun fact, if you go into drone camera mode and check out the inside, it has a very well done classic interior, but fun fact, if you go into the tail where luggage would have gone, there is luggage with retro classic style travel stickers, a very nice touch. Outside of that ghost stall after take off, this is a very easy plane to fly, she really wants to fly. I'm glad it's issued on even the basic editions of MSF Sim as it's like getting my favorite Bird for free. Thumbs up thank you again now I know her even better. Been flying her on Xbox One and just doing the AI or quick start with RB +D Pad Right. Or just running at the runway. But I love learning how to start this birds.

[@critter9044]

Allot of necessary information. Very through. Thank you so much.

[@infinityarts2763]

Yesterday I did a nightflight, when you swet to cold and dark a flashlight will turn on where ever you look around to see something, really like this bird

[@GumperVanLier]

One of the best landings I've seen with this giant taildragger.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Thanks, I'm very glad you enjoyed :)

[@NPC_-mf4dw]

He bounced four times, was too fast and the approach was partially unstable. If that's your standard, I want to see your landings. xD

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

@@NPC_-mf4dw I know, I didn't have much practice landing the bird at that point and I was a bit drunk too lol. By now it's working better.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

@@NPC_-mf4dw Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmKneZyQqZZ4iZI And now show me a video how you're landing ;)

[@scoobydiving]

Thanks for making this video. Nicely done.

[@AdelHaiba78]

Thank you, great Tut, I'll start flying this airplane

[@johnarmstrong3782]

Extremely enjoyable and helpful video. Thank you.

[@vincentdufour9572]

Really good video Sebastian as always! thanks from sharing. Have a great day, and fly safe, cheers!

[@terryranger5525]

Thank you for such a thorough tutorial.

[@kendenman1157]

Nice thorough demo ! Many thanks and Seasons Greetings.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Thanks Ken, to you as well :)

[@billolgaau]

I flew the DC3 for 6 years - we never opened the Storm Window as we spent a lot of time trying to stop it leaking. * Taxing tail wheel locked unless your turning you use indipendendent engines & brakes. ( BTW This DC3 in MSFS is not realistic taxing as the Rudder acts like nosewheel stearing) * No Flaps for take-offs as there drag Flaps.

[@michaelpace5356]

Hi! First of all that sounds amazing, you must have a lot of stories to share flying this beast. :) Can I ask you, how did you used to Navigate back in the day on these instruments? Nowadays we are blessed/spoilt with all the information in front of us, like our ground track, ground speed etc etc, how would you have gone about finding your Wind Correction Angle for example?

[@billolgaau]

@@michaelpace5356 We used ADF, VOR & LOCALISER for tracking plus Dead Reconing. For my last DC3 flight (I was moonlighting for another company) heading back to Sydney from Gove (top right hand square side of Australia) we hit the coast & went into cloud (This DC3 only had 2 ADF's) & used dead reconing for the next 3 hours till we picked up an NDB. We all had a "Prayer Wheel" ( a Nav calculator) but worked out all the times in our head usually. Keep in mind we learnt to fly in light aircraft that had no aids at all. (I ended up flying A310 Airbuses so that was la span in aviation)

[@michaelpace5356]

@@billolgaau So interesting! I'd imagine that 3 hours of dead reckoning would have kept you awake :) So you guys used to have an idea of the wind through the forecasted winds then something like an E6B was there to find your data? Makes a lot of sense actually

[@Agt0rang3]

Awesome tutorial..I'm ready for #schtartup!

[@Owencr905]

Really helpful thank you!

[@1849ad]

Well, well well, here's ACD making a tutorial on a classic aircraft... ;) I thought those where not your thing? Anyway, you did a great job, tried the dc3, but found it impossible to fly, might give it another try after watching this video!

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Thanks bud! The DC-3 is a lovely old bird, I wish Aeroplane Heaven would have put a little bit more work in it as some systems are inop. Hopefully the improvement mods will add more stuff over time :) Btw, you wrote ACD... I guess you mean SCD? XD

[@1849ad]

@@SimulationChannelDeluxe Of course it should be SCD, drinking beer and typing is, just like flying, no good match. :p

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

@@1849ad Hahaha sure thing :D

[@1849ad]

@@SimulationChannelDeluxe If I may ask a question; I downloaded the enhanced version via the msfs marketplace, but it's not showing up in the aircraft selection page, any idea? Or do I have to switch in-game somehow? Thnx in advance!

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

@@1849ad The Enhanced version just "overwrites" the default DC-3. The same for the A310. There is no additional aircraft to select :)

[@outlander-x]

nice! 🤩 loved it. (and i could get to say i flew a dc3 with a tipsy pilot 😜lol🤣)

[@cyberdami]

'Whipping Around' is 100% correct.... For added effect, say it like Stewie from Family Guy 🤪

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Lol good to know. But let's better not ask for any cool whip, right? ;)

[@davidwilliams1825]

Where can I see the C-47 in the sim MSFS 2020

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

It's the same aircraft, just depends on the livery. There are many old military liveries on flightsim.to that transform the DC-3 into the C-47.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

This for example: flightsim.to/file/44360/douglas-c-47-repaint-of-that-s-all-brother-classic-retrofit

[@saren6538]

If you fly this plane hot will failures happen or is that not simulated ?

[@mk1479]

Brilliant, thank you. Always look forward to your videos.. Quick question if I may... I see you switched to MS flight sim from Xplane 11... Better graphics but requires more power from your graphics card I take...

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Yes I put so many hours in XP11 (I think over 600), it was time to spend more time in MSFS as it's a brilliant sim as well. And no more Ortho4XP tile building is also nice for a change ;) Regarding the GPU, I own an RX 6700 now and it's more than capable to run nice, high settings at 1440p. Cheers

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Oh wait, I did put 893 hours into XP11 hahaha

[@mk1479]

@@SimulationChannelDeluxe Thanks for the replies... I have an rtx 3060 nvidia... Running P3d v5 well.. was waiting for xplane 12... Altough MS FS look absolutely stunning.. Not sure if my card will run it with decent graphics settings...

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

@@mk1479 The 3060 should run it nicely, especially in 1080p.

[@mk1479]

@@SimulationChannelDeluxe Cool thanks.. and sorry to pester you one more question.. Does MS FS have to have internet connection to run?

[@billolgaau]

PAPI lights & your flying a DC3? :O) * On approach make a nice steady approach like you did & leave the Pitch as is & as you flare & close the Throttles then Pitch full fine. (Great landing BTW) * To stop the bounce use a slight forward stick. * Auto Pilot - Don't bother lining the numbers unless your using it.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Great to hear feedback from a real DC-3 pilot :) Many thanks for it. You're right, the steering on the ground is way too easy in MSFS. On the other hand I don't own rudder pedals or seperated throttles, so I'm quite happy with "easy mode" there ;) Also by now when landing I immediately raise the flaps after touchdown, that also helps against bouncing and to bring the tail down. Best regards from Germany!

[@billolgaau]

When I & 3 others joined the Airline 57 years ago we came from single engine, fixed gear, no Constant Speed props & only about 10 hours night flying around the circuit sitting "Two stories" up so to speak in a DC3.

[@john-or9cf]

EVERYTIME I land, no matter what speed - 85 to 90ish - as soon as the wheels hit the runway, it almost immediately swerves to the left. When I attempt to correct, it over corrects to the right and off we go into the grass…any thoughts from you guys who do it right? How about yoke and rudder curves (honeycomb and Logitech, respectively) - my guess is mine are all wrong.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Well I would definitely recommend to turn down the sensitivities, mine are set to around -40 for aileron and elevator, and -65 or so for yaw. Also it can't hurt to set the reactivity down to 80% or so. Also make sure that the tailwheel is locked (forward position) when landing. That's all I can think of.

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Oh and it's quite difficult to land in crosswinds. The DC-3 certainly needs yaw to be in line with runway heading, you can't really land it when crabbing in the wind.

[@john-or9cf]

@@SimulationChannelDeluxe I’ll give that a try. Also I must have autorudder enabled since other planes I fly (small GAs) are uncontrollable on the ground, even taxiing at low speeds. Haven’t even tried wind yet!

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

@@john-or9cf Do you own a joystick? Then I would disable all the assists in MSFS. Might be the cause for unexpected behavior.

[@john-or9cf]

@@SimulationChannelDeluxe Not using it, using a honeycomb yoke…and no assists other than auto rudder.

[@aykaaminsan539]

30 on the compass = 300 degree

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

I know. I was drunk. Sometimes I said it correctly during the flight ;)

[@doremy123]

IS THERE A DME INDICATOR ?

[@SimulationChannelDeluxe]

Not in the classic variant, only with GPS.

[@doremy123]

@@SimulationChannelDeluxe 😘

[@LtRiot]

danke my friend from Andrew in USA