Two routines are required before new pilots may fly regular flights from the published schedules. But relax, there is no testing, no bar to hurdle, no videos to submit. All of this is simply to improve your proficiency at flying the DC-3 and to introduce you to some concepts that may be new to you, including, how to properly manage the Propeller and Throttle controls and how to use the Sperry Autopilot.

• First, read the section on FS DC-3 flying (menu: Technical/FS DC-3 Flying).   Within that section are three flights to fly, totaling one hour. All are fun.
  
  
  • A thirty-minute familiarization flight from Newport State, R.I. to Provincetown, Mass. This is Flight 1200-PVC and is in the "Pre-Takeoff" Section.
    
    
  • A fifteen-minute flight, 1200-0b8, to sharpen your short-field landing techniques. You'll land on a 1600 ft strip, very common for DC-3s in the days of DC-3 Airways. This is in the "Go-Around" Section.
    
    
  • One more brief flight to practice your short-field takeoff techniques, Flight 1200-TO, in the "Takeoff" Section.
    Ready?
    
    
• Want to get a jump start on your flight training and understanding of the DC-3? As a new pilot, you should take special note of the DC-3 Airways Training Division, under the leadership of John Achor, VP, Technical. Go to John's TD Intro to learn more about this optional program. Then click the menu: Flights/Training/Division to get started. There also is a dedicated TD Topic on the our Forum.
  
  
• Finally, you must earn your DC-3 Type Rating. You accomplish this by flying six flights, also short, and reporting each on the PIREP form.  You can get to the flights as follows:
  
  

• FS2004, click on the menu Flights/Training/Initial/FS2004 or click here.

• FSX, click on the menu Flights/Training/Initial/FSX or click here.