Is the Douglas DC-3 still flying?
Perhaps unique among prewar aircraft, the DC-3 continues to fly in active commercial and military service as of 2021, eighty-six years after the type’s first flight in 1935. There are still small operators with DC-3s in revenue service and as cargo aircraft.
How much runway does a DC-3 need?
| Operated units | 49 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of passengers (VARIG’s configuration) | 21 or 32 |
| Maximum fuel capacity | 671 gallons |
| Average cargo capacity | 8,817 pounds |
| Minimum runway length | 1,312/2,296 feet |
How high can a DC-3 fly?
20,800 feet
Technical Specifications
| First flight | Dec. 17, 1935 |
|---|---|
| Height | 16 feet 3.6 inches |
| Ceiling | 20,800 feet |
| Range | 1,495 miles |
| Weight | 30,000 pounds |
Does the DC-3 have autopilot?
The autopilot in the DC–3 can hold the pitch attitude and heading you specify. For more information on using the DC–3 autopilot, see Using the Autopilot below.
How much runway does a DC-3 need to take off?
Cruising at 160 to 180 mph, the DC-3 can fly about 1,600 miles, land in less than 3,000 feet, and take off again in less than 1,000 feet.
How many seats does a Douglas DC3 have?
Douglas DC-3. The DC-3 prototype first flew on December 17, 1935, and the design was soon being produced in two versions for American Airlines, the 14-passenger DST sleeper and a 21-seat ‘daytime’ airliner. Services with DC-3s began in June 1936.
What is the history of the Douglas DC-3?
The DC-3 resulted from a marathon telephone call from American Airlines CEO C. R. Smith to Donald Douglas, when Smith persuaded a reluctant Douglas to design a sleeper aircraft based on the DC-2 to replace American’s Curtiss Condor II biplanes.
How fast can a Douglas DC3 fly?
Douglas DC-3. It climbed above 22,000 ft, far above the TWA requirement. With a full load, the airplane could takeoff in less than 1,000 ft and with full flaps, it could land at less than 65 mph as required. On one high speed run, it achieved a maximum speed of 227 mph.
How many DC-3s are still flying?
Many continue to see service in a variety of niche roles: 2,000 DC-3s and military derivatives were estimated to be still flying in 2013; a 2017 article put the number at that time at more than 300. “DC” stands for “Douglas Commercial”.
How much does the Douglas DC-3 cost?
Pricing starts at $2950. Our California and Colorado-based DC-3 aircraft are passenger aircraft, so non-pilots are welcome.
How many DC-3s are still flying in the world?
More than 16,000 DC-3s and military version C-47s were built in 50-plus variants. More than 300 are still flying today. The DC-3 was born into a still-nascent commercial air travel industry—and traveling by air was much riskier and arduous before the DC-3 came along.
Was a DC-3 used in ww2?
DC-3, also called Douglas DC-3, Skytrain, C-47 (U.S. Army), R4D (U.S. Navy), or Dakota (Royal Air Force), transport aircraft, the world’s first successful commercial airliner, readily adapted to military use during World War II.