VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: DC-3 Airliner

VSKYLABS DC-3C Airliner

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Note: For enthusiasts interested in the authentic World War II military variant, please refer to the VSKYLABS C-47B Skytrain project.

Project Introduction

The DC-3/C-47 is a fixed-wing, propeller-driven airliner. With a range of approximately 1,500 miles and speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, its performance revolutionized air transportation in the 1930s and 1940s. This twin-engine, all-metal monoplane could operate from short runways in remote areas, enabling transcontinental and global flights.

These fascinating capabilities of the DC-3/C-47 inspired the creation of the VSKYLABS C-47 Skytrain Flying Performance/Research Lab project for X-Plane - and the follow-up DC-3 projects that came after.

Project Highlights 

• Project is 'VR Ready' for use with X-Plane: VR functionality is part of the project aspects that are constantly under evaluation and development, aiming for a higher level of immersion as VR features and possibilities continue to grow.
• Highly Realistic Handling and Flight Performance DC-3 Simulation: Highly accurate performance and handling simulation of the DC-3. Aircraft performance and handling qualities were designed and tested using a "research-level" approach and went through a validation process involving hundreds of flight tests and evaluations, tested and refined by a real-world C-47 pilot.
• Workhorse for DC-3 pilot skills: Experience authentic flight performance and handling practices (takeoff, landing, single engine operations, flight planning, long-range flights). It is a perfect platform to recreate and fly historic routes using authentic performance.
• Unique look and feel: There is nothing to hide—the VSKYLABS DC-3/C-47 projects are a mixture of simplified yet very engaging design.
• Compatible with the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': C-47B Skytrain project liveries!
• Advanced avionics and autopilot: Fully featured glass cockpit avionics based on the LR G1000 (including the G1000 autopilot), along with complementary analog instrument gauges and navigation displays.
• Comprehensive systems: All relevant systems are simulated. Here are some of the more unique systems:
  • Engines/propeller systems: Highly defined PW-1830-92, 14-cylinder engine simulation, designed with a fully featured, functioning, and authentic DC-3/C-47 propeller feathering system, for highly realistic single engine simulation.
  • DC-3 Fire Extinguisher system: Includes fire indication system. The fire extinguisher control panel is located behind the hinged cover on the cockpit floor, between the pilot and co-pilot's seats.
  • Damage simulation: Engines are sensitive to rapid spool-up (experimental feature). Engine mishandling will result in severe damage or engine fire. Stressing the airframe will also result in severe damage, with visual representation of the damages. Blown tires are also visualized and simulated.
  • Landing gear and flaps simulation: Simulated with a high level of authenticity.
  • Advanced glass cockpit and autopilot system: Based on the LR G1000.
  • Anti-Icing/De-Ice systems.
  • Skis: Animated, incorporated in the flight dynamics model.
  • Weight and balance: Makes use of X-Plane 12's advanced weight and balance system for station-based passenger loading.
  • Passenger and luggage 3D visualization.
• Comprehensive FMOD sounds.
• Auto-update via the SkunkCrafts updater.
• Built-in AviTab compatibility (AviTab plugin not included).
• Highly responsive VSKYLABS support system (including C-47/DC-3 operational knowledge and support/assistance).
• The project includes the VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders Heaven' assignment layer. It allows assigning all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen:

The Living Soul of the DC-3/C-47

A real C-47 should always be operated with great respect. Every process, checklist, maneuver, handle movement… should be performed with the right "touch" and specific intent. Furthermore, the pilot who teaches you how to fly a C-47 is a kind of "Yoda"… teaching the use of the "Force":
"This aircraft, with great respect, you shall treat!"

…When I'm flying the VSKYLABS DC-3/C-47 in X-Plane, there is that overlaying feeling that was probably imprinted in me back when I was a young pilot—when I was learning the use of the DC-3/C-47 "Force" in real life.

It starts with how I grip the hardware yoke, how I hold and manipulate the throttle and propeller levers, down to that familiar takeoff and landing pace, where every landing is a small victory—even though it is already a routine process. That feeling "surrounds" the entire project development process, which was initiated back in 2015-2016 (The VSKYLABS C-47 FLP v1.0 was released in 2017).

There are so many aspects to cover when flying a DC-3/C-47, especially when creating one as a flight simulator project. The VSKYLABS DC-3/C-47 is all about "Flying the aircraft":
Aircraft handling and performance, single engine operations, damaged aircraft operations, weather flying, fuel planning, mission considerations, and old-school navigation (in the VSKYLABS C-47 Skytrain Project).

There are almost endless cockpit configurations for the real, restored DC-3 (it has been flying now for more than eighty years…).
The VSKYLABS DC-3 Airliner cockpit presents the ultimate fusion of old and new: to experience the challenge of operating and flying the DC-3, but with modernized autopilot and navigation equipment.

Flying the VSKYLABS DC-3/C-47 is challenging in terms of aircraft handling and piloting skills, but operating the plane is not a total "headache" and will not require you to become a flight engineer.
However, it will turn you into a better pilot.

This project is a personal invitation to a unique C-47/DC-3 flying experience in X-Plane, and it incorporates a lot of good old memories, curiosity, and excitement.

Enjoy the ride!

Huss – VSKYLABS

Final words before diving into the cockpit

Easy to fly... it isn't! The flight dynamics model is built, set up, and tuned to be as authentic as possible, demonstrating how deep the use of the C-47/DC-3 "Force" goes.

The aircraft requires correct use of all pilot inputs, including differential power and braking—one of the most important aspects of taxiing the C-47/DC-3.

Performance and handling are on the numbers (within reasonable margins): the aircraft was designed to perform as close as possible to the real thing, and extensive test flights and calibrations using real aircraft performance charts were conducted.

Single engine operations are authentic. You will not be able to sustain a climb rate unless flying in the proper configuration, and you will have to plan your "moves" ahead in case of an engine failure, exactly as it is done with the real C-47/DC-3. Actually, you will have to plan ahead every piloting "move," even with both engines running, just like in the real C-47/DC-3...

Lots of effort was made to make the aircraft’s landing gear feel as it should when interacting with the ground. It will bounce realistically during rough terrain operations and will demonstrate realistic touchdown behavior and ground handling qualities.

It is a blast to fly!

Additional Development Notes:

• The VSKYLABS C-47B Skytrain Flying Lab Project is an independent VSKYLABS commercial product which is under continuous development since 2015/2016. The initial development back in 2016 used Emmanuel Baranger's licensed DC-3 3D model as a base reference, with Brett Harrison’s approval to create a matching paint kit based on his general layout. All VSKYLABS copyright and disclaimer terms apply to this product. © 2025 JetManHuss - VSKYLABS.
• The 'Buffalo Airways' and the 'Plane Savers C-DTFT' were added to the VSKYLABS DC-3/C-47 projects following approval by the Amazing Buffalo Airways company (Thank you Mikey!).
• The 'Odyssey 86' livery was added to the VSKYLABS DC-3/C-47 projects following approval by the 'KF Centre for Excellence' museum permission. The VSKYLABS DC-3/C-47 projects are not affiliated with the 'KF Centre for Excellence' museum.
• Project version NXG v1.0+ introduces new 3-d mapping and paint-kit with new PBR normal maps which were developed to allow easy painting for non-professional artists. The previous paint-kits and liveries are still compatible, requiring only minor modifications (referring to the older v2.0 paint-kit created by Oleg Tronov, Sochu, Russia, and other 3rd party artists).
• All interior paints previous to the NXG update are incompatible.

Pilot's Operating Handbook

Included in the product package.

Online version is not available.

Avialogs - Additional DC-3/C-47 Manuals:

Take your time and get to know the DC-3/C-47...It is recommended reading information regarding the aircraft "general" systems/systems operations and deeper into flying techniques and performance/limitations.

Avialogs website is a very good resource for Flight Operating Instructions and Manuals for the DC-3/C-47 - https://www.avialogs.com/  .It is a true "treasure" for Aviation enthusiasts.

Reading the documentation online is free. There is an embedded reading window with comfortable pages view settings:

AVIALOGS C-47 Manuals: https://www.avialogs.com/search-results?view=results&word=Yy00Nw

AVIALOGS DC-3 Manuals: https://www.avialogs.com/search-results?view=results&word=ZGMtMw

ATTENTION:
Customized mixtures setup. Please read the manual!

Update Log

VSKYLABS DC-3C Airliner

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2025 All Rights Reserved.

XP12 - NXG v1.0 (17th May 2025):

• Flight Dynamics:
  • Modified/improved tail-section design.
  • Modified/improved control surfaces design.
  • Modified/improved landing gears ground interaction.
  • Modified/improved gears/brakes/rudder effectiveness for maximum realism and 'feel' of the aircraft.
  • modified/improved engine starting characteristics.
  • Validated flight model and aircraft behavior on taxi, takeoff (normal and short), performance, landing (normal and short), ground handling.
• Cockpit:
  • Remodeled and re-textured from scratch (3-d assets):
    • Yokes (control wheels and stick down to the floor).
    • Yokes base leather covers.
    • Pedals.
    • Windshield wipers motors and hub.
    • Wipers.
    • Pedestal panel.
    • Cockpit floor.
    • Pilot seats.
    • Heating hoses.
    • Overhead panel frame.
    • Windshield frames.
    • 'Floating' compass.
    • Padded cockpit interiors.
    • Front structural beams (visible on each side of the front panel).
    • G1000 3-d bezels.
    • Cockpit re-texturing.
• Cabin (3-d assets):
  • Cabin cover - remodeled/re-textured.
  • Cabin floor - remodeled/re-textured.
  • All interior walls/covers - remodeled/re-textured.
  • New window frames.
• Exterior:
  • New NXG paint-kit.
  • New skis / textures.
  • New props / textures.
  • Additional 3 default liveries:
    • Buffalo Airways 'Plane Savers C-DTFT'.
    • 'KF Centre for Excellence' Odyssey 86' 
    • IAF 'Dakota' 026.
• Lights:
  • Complete rework of all exteriors and interior lights.
• Internal engineering:
  • New internal engineering and aircraft components re-arrangements.
• Interactions:
  • Flaps - now using custom up/down interaction instead of 3-separated click-points.
  • Fuel indicator selector - now using custom rotatable switch instead of separated click-points.
  • Fuel tank selectors - now using custom rotatable switch instead of separated click-points.
• VSKYLABS Cockpit-Builders Heaven Assignment layer:
  • Assign all aircraft switches, knobs, and interactions via a dedicated X-Plane 12 assignment layer.

XP12 - v2.0b2 (19th September 2023):
Major Update Release:

• Flight Dynamics and Systems:
  • New mixtures, carburetor system algorithm: Mixture control is now fully differential, and fully automatic, replicating the actual DC-3 mixtures and carburetor operations. Mixture levers have detents (steps) for 'cutoff', 'auto-lean', 'auto-rich', emergency. All auto-modes are fully automatic. For more information refer to the included manual.
  • New fuel system: The VSKYLABS fuel system in v2.0b2 allows to feed each engine from any of the four tanks, directly (identical to real-world DC-3 operation). (known issue - due to a system architecture restriction in the VSKYLABS DC-3 v2.0, when feeding each engine from the Aux tanks (from the same side or opposite sides), the Aux tank with the higher remaining fuel quantity will feed both engines, until both Aux tanks are equal. Then, both tanks will feed both engines.The fuel system is under development and this ‘feature’ will be fixed in future updates.
  • Carburetor heat system - levers are not being operated internally via sliders (for more information refer to the included manual).
• Bug fixes:
  • Fuel level indicator is now equipped with a shifting-plate, showing the designated tank in each mode.
  • Fuel level indicator needle 3-d and animation changed to provide better reading, more accurate.
  • External lights - Beacon light switch fixed.
  • FMOD sounds - Fuel pumps sounds tuneups (reduced intensity).
• Enhancements:
  • Cockpit PBR and tone update.
  • Pitch trim wheel re-modeled, re-textured.
  • Carburetor heat levers now showing 'L' / 'R' for better interaction.
  • Various PBR fixes all-around in the cockpit.
• Manual/POH update: Rev 004

v2.0b1 (9th September 2023):

• Flight model update:
  • Default (empty) CG tune-ups to set the aircraft in a natural, slight 'nose heavy' configuration, especially when it is not loaded - this improves handling on takeoffs, especially when the elevator trim is accidentally not in the correct position (due pilot error). Handling during landing is also improved.
  • VR config file update.

v1.0i (19th January 2023):

• Bug fix - heater switch triggered heading sync function. This is not eliminated.

v1.0h  (15th January 2023):

• Minor fix - removed rectangle object artifact in cockpit.

v1.0f  (14th January 2023):

• Damage simulation - reverted from custom to X-Plane 12 over-g values for airframe over-stress damage. In practive this allows the airframe a higher margin before breaking apart.
• G1000 screens baseline brightness decresed to match X-Plane 12 latest version lighting changes.

v1.0e  (31st December 2022):

• Minor update release - Fix to icing visualization on windshield/windows - now it works within X-Plane 12 built-in icing visualization system and rendering engine.

v1.0c  (28th December 2022):

• Minor update release - Fix to missing LH fire extignuisher switch and guard.

v1.0a  (15th December 2022):

• Minor update release - Heater light re-wired (got electrical power in cold and dark).

v1.0 (12th December 2022) - X-Plane 12 version release.