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Boeing 377 Statocruiser Pilot's Handling Notes
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ENGINES
The Stratocruiser has four 2800hp Pratt & Whitney
R-4360-TSB3-G Wasp Major engines which are carburetted and turbocharged to give
rated power up to 23500 feet. Each
provides 3500hp for take off (at sea level) with water methanol injection and
3250hp (dry) for five minutes in case of emergency.
The constant speed propellers can be feathered and have
reverse pitch.
Automixture control is provided, but may be overidden.
WARNING - Step Climb technique required.
AVOID - climbing to altitudes which max cruise power
cannot sustain. If you cannot accelerate > 190 KIAS in max cruise power you
have exceeded your operational ceiling. Descend 2000 feet.
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HANDLING THE AIRCRAFT
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Take Off:
APPLY BRAKES
MIXTURE - AUTO FULL RICH
COWL FLAPS - MID
TRIM 20% full range NOSE UP
FLAP - STAGE 1
CALL for TOGA POWER
(3500hp)
PROPS FULLY FINE
Slowly apply FULL THROTTLE
ROTATE at 115 KIAS
(145,800lbs)
Establish positive rate of climb
GEAR UP
ACCELERATE 150 KIAS @ <= 500 VSI
CLIMB 500 feet AGL
FLAP - UP
CALL for METO Power
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METO Power: (Climb stage 1 = Noise abatement)
COWL FLAPS - MID
53 inches MAP
2550 RPM
170 KIAS
Climb 2000 feet AGL
ACCELERATE 185 KIAS @ 500 VSI
CALL for climb power
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En route Climb Power: (Climb stage 2)
COWL FLAPS - MID
2350 RPM
45.5 inches MAP
Minimum 500 VSI
In high temperatures SPEED MAY DECAY at 500 VSI
IF UNABLE to maintain =>175 KIAS
REQUEST LEVEL OFF & STEP CLIMB from ATC
ACCELERATE > 190 KIAS
WHEN CLEARED BY ATC CLIMB 500 VSI
IN 2000 foot steps - Repeat as necessary
AVOID - climbing to levels which max cruise power cannot
sustain
Plan 800 GPH
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Max Cruise:
DO NOT EXCEED M0.52 - USE MACH BUG
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2100 RPM
41 inches MAP
If unable => 190 KIAS descend to lower level
Plan 650 GPH
Note: - Yields 295 KTAS at FL250
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Econ Cruise:
WARNING - not available at high weights
COWL FLAPS - CLOSED
2100 RPM
38 inches MAP
If unable => 180 KIAS descend to lower level
Plan 550 GPH
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Final Cruise at FL250:
38 inches MAP
Gradually reduce rpm from 2100 to maintain
180 KIAS
(264 KTAS in ISA)
MINIMUM 1400 rpm
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Descent:
DO NOT EXCEED 271 KIAS
DO NOT EXCEED M0.52 - USE MACH BUG
AUTOMIXTURE - ON
COWL FLAPS - CRACKED
2100 RPM
REDUCE MAP in stages of 3 inches (per minute)
MINIMUM 17 INCHES MAP
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Holding:
COWL FLAPS - CRACKED
2100 RPM
Slowly REDUCE MAP
To obtain 170 KIAS
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Approach and Landing:
Do not exceed Max Landing Weight (121,700 lbs) - 48% Fuel
MIXTURE - AUTO RICH
COWL FLAPS - MID
2350 RPM
MAP as required (MIN 17 inches)
< 200 KIAS
GEAR may be used as air brake if required
REDUCE < 150 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 1
Nearing Glideslope
REDUCE < 140 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 2
ON descending
GEAR DOWN
FLAP - STAGE 3
REDUCE < 120 KIAS
FLAP - STAGE 4
Cross airfield boundary 100 KIAS (@ 121,700lbs)
FLARE to ZERO PITCH
COWL FLAPS - FULL OPEN
FLAP - UP
REVERSE PITCH
WHEEL BRAKES as required
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General:
AEROBATICS are PROHIBITED
NEVER EXCEED FL250 certification limit
NEVER EXCEED 305 KIAS
NEVER EXCEED M0.52 - USE MACH BUG
ROUGH AIR NEVER EXCEED 271 KIAS
GEAR DOWN NEVER EXCEED 200 KIAS
FLAP 1 never exceed 191 KIAS
FULL FLAP never exceed 162 KIAS
CLEAN STALL 115 KIAS at MLW
STALL with FULL FLAP 80 KIAS at MLW
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NOTE: This aircraft's real-world handling notes have been
simplified for use with FS 2002
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