VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: DC-3 Airliner

THE VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': DC-3 Airliner Project

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Interested in the 'Old-School' C-47 Skytrain?

Visit the VSKYLABS C-47B Skytrain Product page in the following link:
https://www.vskylabs.com/p/vskylabs-c-47-skytrain

Project Introduction

The DC-3/C-47 is a fixed-wing propeller-driven airliner. Its great performance - range of approximately 1500 miles and speed of above 200 Miles per Hour, revolutionized air transportation in the 1930's and 1940's. It is a twin-engine all-metal monoplane, capable of operating from short runways at remote places. 

It was able to cross the United States, and made transcontinental flights and worldwide flights possible. These characteristics of the DC-3/C-47 are fascinating, and were among the triggers for coming up with the idea of creating the VSKYLABS C-47 Skytrain Flying Performance/Research Lab project for X-Plane, and its follow-up DC-3 projects.

Project Highlights

Project is 'VR Ready' for use with X-Plane: VR functionality is a part of the project aspects which are constantly under evaluation and development for reaching higher level of immersion as the VR features and possibilities are growing.

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 in a "Research level" approach and went through a validation process of hundreds of flight testing and evaluation, tested and refined by 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 a 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 the relevant systems are being simulated. Here are **some** of the more unique systems:

• Engines/propeller systems - Highly defined PW-1830-92, 14 cylinder engine simulation, designed with fully featured, functioning and authentic DC-3/C-47 propeller feathering system, for highly realistic single engine simulation.
• DC-3 Fire Extinguisher system - including fire indication system. The fire extinguisher control panel is located behind the hinged cover on the cockpit floor, between the pilot/co-pilot's seats.
• Damage simulation - engines are sensitive to rapid spool-up (experimental feature). Engine mishandling will result in severe damage to the engine/engine fire. Stressing the airframe will result also in severe damage, following a visual representation of the damages. Blown tires are also being visualized and simulated.
• Landing gears and flaps simulation - are being simulated with a high level of authenticity.
• Advanced glass cockpit and autopilot system - based on the LR G1000.
• Anti-Icing/De-Ice systems - including icing and rain visualization.
• Skis - Animated, incorporated in the flight dynamics model.
• Making use of X-Plane 12 advanced weight and balance system for station based passengers loading.
• Passenger and luggage 3-d visualization.
• Comprehensive FMOD sounds.
• Auto-update based on the SkunkCrafts autoupdater.
• Built in AviTab compatibility. (AviTab plugin not included).
• Highly responsive VSKYLABS support system (including C-47/DC-3 operational knowledge and support/assistance).

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

(written by Huss @ VSKYLABS)

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. Further more, the pilot who teaches you how to fly a C-47 is a kind of a "Yoda"...teaching the use of the "Force": "This aircraft with great respect, you shell treat!".

...When I'm flying the VSKYLABS C-47/DC-3 in X-Plane, there is that overlay feeling that was probably imprinted in me back then when I was a young pilot when I was learning the use of the C-47/DC-3 "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 take-off and landing paces, where every landing is a small victory even though it is already a routine process. And as a reminder...this is all with regards to flying the VSKYLABS C-47/DC-3 in X-Plane. That feeling "surrounds" the entire project development process, which was initiated back in 2015 (VSKYLABS C-47 FLP v1.0 was released in 2017).

There are so many aspects to cover when flying a C-47/DC-3, for sure when creating one as a flight simulator project. The VSKYLABS C-47/DC-3 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 plane (It is flying now for more the 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 a modernized autopilot and navigation equipment.

Flying the VSKYLABS C-47/DC-3 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, setup and tuned to be as authentic as possible, demonstrating how deep is the use of the C-47/DC-3 "Force":

The aircraft requires the correct use of all pilot inputs, including differential power, and braking, one of the most important aspect 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 the real aircraft performance charts were made.

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 ahead your "moves" 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 two engines running, exactly as it is done with the real C-47/DC-3...

Lots of effort was made to make the aircraft landing gears to "feel" as it should be when interacting with the ground, and it will bounce realistically on rough terrain operations and will demonstrate a realistic touchdown behavior and ground handling qualities.

It is a blast to fly!

Additional Information

• The 'Buffalo Airways' livery which is included in the project, was approved to be used as a livery in the project by the Amazing Buffalo Airways company (Thank you Mikey!).

Pilot's Operating Handbook

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 recommeded 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:
v2.0+ uses a customized mixtures setup. Please read the manual!

Update Log

VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': DC-3 Airliner

JetManHuss - VSKYLABS (c) 2023 All Rights Reserved.

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.