Aching Wrists in DC8/737!
 

Interesting programme featuring the DC8 on the "Discovery Wings" channel a couple of nights back.

Apparently the '8 was designed to handle a bit like the old DC6's and '7's, and were designed with very stiff rudders and columns to replicate the "feel" of the older piston airliners.

One DC8 pilot said that hand-flying it for an extended period made his hands and wrists ache due to the effort involved in manhandling it around!

This reminded me of one particular session I had in 732 Sim where I hand flew a series of approaches and takeoffs with all kinds of systems failures. All in, I was in there for almost two hours and the last approach was a short-field, one-engined appraoch with a 35kt crosswind. The next day my arms were aching like a bast@rd!

Any other aircraft that help your muscle tone???

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"Something hit us - there's nobody left to fly the plane!!" AIRPORT '77

Swearingen Metro 2, and maybe the Fairchild Metro 3/23. (never flown the 3's, only the 2's)

In gusty conditions on approach, it was often better just to set the power - I only ever flew it single pilot - and fly it with both hands.
Shaped like a crow-bar, flys like one too.

Nearly forgot - For the last couple of years that I flew them, none of them had autopilots, so my arms ended up a fair old size! :)

[This message has been edited by 18Wheeler (edited 14 January 2001).]

737 on manual reversion! Like a 2 hour workout at the gym! Gave up on the ailerons and just used rudder in the end. Ok once trimmed out though. Jammed stabiliser worse though as no trim at all, trick is to keep it at the in trim speed as long as possible.

Heavy controls are good though as it encourages you to trim properly!

Metro II is a sweetheart compared to the III and 23 as both of the newer models have a wing extension but designers left the ailerons in the same place as they are in the II.

Try the 727 for manual reversion... hahahah.

Regarding DC8 and it´s controls. My dad after he transitioned from the 8 to the DC10 was asked about a month later to fly the 8 to replace a sick Capt,later he told me that at first he had thought that he had jammed controls. Apparently DC10 is a delight to fly.

JJ

Try an Islander, the UK answer to an aeroplane. They may be small, but very physical, especially on short sectors to short strips. And agree, the Metro 23 on one engine is almost unmanageable using only one arm. Only did a few hours in them but wondered how they ever got certified, I am not small but those who are would have real problems.

The DC-8 is a very demanding airplane. The most difficult to master of any I've flown.

I used to joke that it's "no little girl airplane" until we checked out a 90 lb female Captain, and she flies the "heck" out of it.

The B707 has all manual controls except for rudder boost and is also very demanding. Likewise, many Lockheed L1011's (especially the old CX machines). Brand new, the TriStar is (was) a delight

The key word for flying the dc8: armrest.

dc8ray

I flew the 727 then went to the DC-8. I never flew the 727 in manual reversion, but did fly the sim that way. I think the DC-8 normally is as heavy on the controls (perhaps heavier) than the 727 in manual reversion. It is really amazing when you compare it to other types, but not bad when you get used to it.

I heard the A310 is very silk, anyone flew it and has a review on it?

Michel

'aching wrists'


too much of that and you'll go blind

Aching wrists? Suggest you change technique or go to the gym. Our pilots routinely fly the thing to and from cruise.Of course on final requires lots of control movement, one hand works fine.
j