Starten von Sternmotoren mit Buffalo Joe | DC-3 MEISTERKLASSE
Video from the channel Mikey McBryan about Douglas DC-3, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 6:32. Language: English. Video type: Onboard.
What it covers
The pilot known as Buffalo Joe, of Buffalo Airways, shows from the cockpit how a radial-engined Douglas DC-3 is started up, from the preparations through taxiing to take-off. He first explains that the company flies supplies and cargo north and that the aircraft operates over ice, snow and muddy strips in remote areas, for example serving mining operations.
Details shown
After adjusting the seat and pedals, he runs through the basic rules for any radial engine, whether on a Beaver, an Otter, a DC-3 or a Beechcraft: lubricate it before starting, check that temperatures are right, and avoid flooding the cylinders with excess fuel. He pumps about 250 pounds of hydraulic pressure to lock the brakes, opens the cowl cooling flaps and completes the pre-start checklist. He starts the right engine first, turning the propeller through twelve blades, mindful of the lower cylinders, before switching on the magnetos. Afterwards, communications with the tower are heard during taxi and take-off clearance.
Context
The pilot notes that the DC-3's instrumentation has moved from classic gauges to more computerised ones, with satellite navigation. He also warns that flying it means ending up with dirty hands and a torn shirt, because everything in the cabin has sharp edges.