Simviation Forums

Still working on my private liscence, I got into a discussion with a guy who's ego is bigger than him.
I told him that my goal was to be able to pilot a real DC3 within a year.
He said "that it takes at least 5 yrs, before you can fly one yourself"
Question: Am I not planning far enough ahead or does this guy talk crap?
What are the required logged hours and certifications I would need in order to fly a DC3? He is talking flying it by myself.
If I'm not mistaken most pilots wouldn't fly a DC3 by themself, would they?

you have to find one firstly. Then you have to get the owner to agree to letting you fly it:)
as to what you need, i wouldnt be surprised if you needed both PPL, instrument, and multi-engined licenses. good luck with it, someone else may know more though.
As to how long. Do you have any leads as to an owner or company that has one? where are you from and what level of flying are you at.

Hi flying a DC3 is my dream too! I think I am right in saying that aircraft over a certian weight have to have a copilot. Barron 58 is under, John Travolters twin bis jet is over and has to have a copilot. With regard to flying a twin, in England you can take your ppl in a twin, If you can afford it!!!! Hope this helps regards Chris

I live in Sevierville, TN.
There is a company in Morristown TN (about 40mi) that has a few DC3's.
They all are working birds and are hired often. They offer training there, but be it a Sunday I can't contact them.
At the present I have logged 25 hours but I probably have flowen 100-150 in various aircraft (anything I can Cessna-taildragger-warbird) not logged.
I just never thought of getting my own liscence until this year. Don't ask me why!
I have been fortunate that the pilots at Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge airport are such nice people, and don't mind treating me to a flying lesson in their airplane so most of the flying time I have has been without a CFI so those hours don't count. At least to the FAA, but as far as I'm cocerned they count to me and I don't need a piece of paper from the FAA proving that I know what I'm doing! But in order for me to be able to go out on my own or take along a friend I need one, so that is what I'm doing.

Chances are insurence will require around 1,200 hours. It will defiently require a M/E rating and maybe even a commercial rating. My nieghbor owns a T210R and insurence on that airplane requires a commercial ticket. So there's a bare minimum of 250 hours. Sadly you'll have a lot of trouble finding a DC3 to fly and you'll be competeing with other pilots with thousands of hours. I hope you get a chance to fly one and I hope I do also.

Spent a lot of time in the DC3 and the DHC-3
For the DC3 (DAK) you require a multi-engine rating.
To be hired by an airline you will also require an instrument rating and current medical certificate.
The aircraft itself is really a two pilot aircraft because the cowl flaps are to the right of the co-pilot.  The landing gear handles and flap handle are also easier to reach by the co-pilot because they are to the left and down from his seat.  If you have wheel/ski combination that is also easier for the co-pilot to do rather than the left seater. As for hours and time depends on the company and their insurance.   Keep the Dream

Eh, I do it all the time in FS...

Ah yes, forgot about the insurance requirment!!
Finding the DC3 isn't hard, there are a few within a 40 mile radius of me.
The operating cost are another thing. I don't think I want to buy one, at least not yet, though I do know where one is for sale close by.
In Morristown TN, they have a fleet of DC3's and they offer training in them. If I'm not mistaken for a three hour training course, preflight and then the GRAND FINALE runs about 3G's!
I'm going to contact them tommorow to get cost and I'll let you all know what i find out.
My main goal is to fly one once even if it is just for a hour or so. And that I will within a year!
Thanks to all of you for the replies and support and you can be sure that photos will be posted when my dream comes true!

BTW, are there any DC-3's left in commercial service?

"BTW, are there any DC-3's left in commercial service?"

Yes the ones they have in Morristown, TN that I refered to are used on almost a daily basis for hauling everything from people to cargo, it is a small private company that if I remember correctly has a fleet of 10.
Also how is that you guys copy a quote from a listing and paste it to your post so that it is boxed in grey?

at the top of each message in the right hand corner theres the word quote, click it and it will box up the post.

DC3 are old but still in service! That's cool, I would love to fly on one of those

Also how is that you guys copy a quote from a listing and paste it to your post so that it is boxed in grey?

Click on "Help" at the top...this takes you to the "Yabb" home website; from there click "Posting" and you can get the instructions you need for posting, quoting, adding smilies, etc.

As for flying a DC-3; if you're just talking about getting your hands on the controls in flight.....seems like you could just pay a private owner (if you know one) for a lesson, or even hitch a ride and get some free dual time in the copilots seat!

Redwing,
I doubt I could do that since my eye vision isn't very good. Does DC-3 fly to KLAX, KDEN or KSFO? I was wondering if I people today can actually fly on those as pax. What company still own those? I know for sure, United, or Delta no longer use those.

What company still own those?

I can't think of any major U.S. companies, I do know that most are owned privately or by small companies. And there are still many being used on a regular basis in smaller countries. But now most reside in a museum or boneyard.
There is one in Knoxville TN, at the Island Home Airport that has just been restored to flyable condition.
This bird is history in the finest It is a D-day veteren that was involved on the inital strike in Normandy on that fateful day!
It was used to drop paratroopers in during the invasion and then quickly converted to a medical plane. It gives me chills everytime I see her, knowing that that plane and it's passangers went through and saw hell upclose and personal!!