TCA Aircraft Testing Department.

		DHC 6 Twin Otter 300S & DHC 6 Sea Twin Otter 300S
			
Date of Report: June 2, 98
Tested by:	Marco Pacagnella 
		TCA#2459

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SECTION A: (Original FSFS aircraft details.)

	a) Aircraft name: 	DHC 6-300S Twin Otter "Naipaul" 
				DHC 6-300S Sea Twin Otter "Limbo" (Float)
	b) Aircraft registration: 	PJ-TSTC
					PJ-TSEA (Float)
	c) Aircraft Filename:	DHC6Tca2.ZIP
				DHC6STca.ZIP  (Float)

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SECTION B: (FS98 only aircraft file details.)

	a) Aircraft Filename:	n/a
	b) Aircraft name:

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SECTION C: (Criteria Tested)

1)	Endurance (range) NM: 430nm (for both Version) @ 160 KIAS
	

2)	Take-off distance(metres): 	600m (Both version from runway)
					650m (Float version from water)
	Landing distance(metres):  	200m (Both version from runway)
					250m (Float version from water)
					Note: do not use brakes on water !

3)	Rotation speed (Vr) (KIAS):
	a)Educated guess: 	85 KIAS
	b)Calculated: 		84 KIAS
	
4)	Climb: Best climb speed (KIAS/fpm): 1200 fpm under 100 KIAS, then flaps up and 
					    then 2000 fpm.	

5)	Overspeed clacker(at cruise altitude) Mach number or KIAS: 240 KIAS

6)	Behavior under AP: (OK/Not OK)  *SEE NOTE 1*
	a) Speed AP.		OK
	b) Altitude AP.		OK
	c) Heading AP.		OK
	d) NAV1 AP.		OK
	e) Back course AP.	?
	f) Approach AP.		OK
	g) Autoland.		no

7)	Speed @ 80% power at cruise altitudes (Mach number or KIAS): 212 KIAS

8)	Power setting, economic cruise speed:  63% @ 160 KIAS

9)	Stall speed (KIAS).   	CLEAN	DIRTY
	a) 100% fuel: 		 71 	  60
	b)  30% fuel:		 65	  55

10)	Approach speed at 30% fuel (KIAS): 80 KIAS

11)	Turns AP ON - (OK/Not OK):  *SEE NOTE 1*
	a) Level turns.		NO
	b) Climbing turns.	NO
	c) Descending turns.	NO

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

13)	Landing speed (KIAS):
	a) 30% fuel:  	70 KIAS
	b) 15% fuel:	67 KIAS

14)	Take-off with some engines out of service:
	I tested an engine failure at 80 knots, half full rudder needed.
	Lift off at 90/95 and flap up soon, the plane seems not to want speed up or
	climb without loosing speed, but as you go through 100 KIAS (seems never come)
	it is easier ! Landing is easy. Working also under AP.
	

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SECTION D: 	NOTES/COMMENTS:

1)	the big trouble of this airplane is AP in turns, the plane loose height !
	So try to not use it for big turns, and at least close to the ground !
	Intercept Nav/ILS manually and then set AP !

2)	The float version use the water as the ground (so don't use brake): this means that 
	you can use it as an anfibious plane also from runways and you'll not feel too much 
	drag in water operations. the ".AIR" File is almost the same so while in the air 
	planes are identical.

3)	Range is calculated on a 4 stop round trip (4010). Designer declares a 655 nm range
	and a fuel capacity of 400 Gal, but I found on board just 300 gal.
	The real plane has a range of 700 nm a max cruise speed of 182 KIAS and a long
	economic cruise speed of 145 KIAS at 10000' and an initial climb of 1600 fpm.
	Fliing higher than 5000' requested in test flight you'll be able to increase range to
	500 nm.

4)	In conclusion, the plane have a very good manovrability, seems designed for difficult 
	approach airports. I think that it is a wonderful plane for TDM short hops !
	The Float version is perfect to discover all smallest places of our islands !