TCA Aircraft Testing Department.

Jet/ turboprop/ large prop aircraft test report:

Date of Report: 	7-10-98
Tested by: 		Mike Carvelas 
			TCA #2137
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SECTION A: (Original FSFS aircraft details.)

        a) Aircraft name: 		DC-8 73F Flipper
        b) Aircraft registration: 	PJ - TBB
        c) Aircraft Filename: 		TCA-DC8F.ZIP

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SECTION B: (FS98 only aircraft file details.)

        a) Aircraft name: DC - 73F  Flipper
        b) File name: TCA-DC8F

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SECTION C: (Criteria Tested)

1)      Endurance (range)NM: 		5621 nm

2)      Take-off distance(metres): 	1601 m
        Landing distance(metres):   	 805 m

3)      Rotation speed (Vr)(KIAS):
        a) Educated guess: 	155 KIAS
        b) Calculated: 		156 KIAS


4)      Climb: Best climb speed (KIAS/fpm): under 10000   250 / 2500
                                            above 10000   365 / 1800

5)      Overspeed clacker sounds at(at cruise altitude)Mach number or KIAS:
        M 0.90

6)      Behavior under AP(OK/Not OK).
        a) Speed AP.         OK
        b) Altitude AP.      OK
        c) Heading AP.       OK, BUT DRIFTS UP TO 7 DEGREES OFF COURSE
        d) NAV1 AP.          OK
        e) Back course AP.   OK
        f) Approach AP.      OK
        g) Autoland          N/A

7)      Speed @ 80% N1, FL300 (Mach number or KIAS).  M 0.83

8)      % N1 at recommended economic cruise speed: 95 %

9)      Stall speed (KIAS).
        a) 100% fuel:   162 / 120
        b)  30% fuel:   140 / 104

10)     Approach speed at 30% fuel(KIAS): 145

11)     Turns AP ON - (OK/Not OK):
        a) Level turns.        OK
        b) Climbing turns.     OK
        c) Descending turns.   OK

12)     Turns AP OFF - (OK/Not OK):
        a) Level turns.        OK, BUT AIRCRAFT WANTS TO LEVEL ITSELF.
                               CONSTANT AILERON ATTENTION NECESSARY.
        b) Climbing turns.     OK
        c) Descending turns.   OK

13)     Landing speed(KIAS):
        a)  30% fuel:          145
        b)  15% fuel:          136

14)     Take-off with some engines out of service: Outboard engine 1 or 4
cut at 90% of Vr and aircraft pulls sharply to that side.  However it can
be controlled and liftoff is possible with little added to takeoff run.  If
inboard engine 2 or 3 is cut at 90 % Vr, pull to that side is not as severe
and takeoff is simple.  Control in the air and landing present no problem.
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SECTION D:      NOTES/COMMENTS: A nice model of a DC-8, right down to the
air cowls on the nose giving the 8 it's characteristic smile.  When engines
are shut, the forward cargo door opens.  Disappointing however, is the lack
of visible spoilers on the wings.  But all things considered, not a bad
model for an aircraft done back in 1997.