CLS Douglas DC-10

By Nigel Martin (18 July 2007)

       

The first, due to a turbine blade severing hydraulic pipes rendered the flight surfaces useless; with the aid of a senior pilot, assisting (flying as a passenger) managed to land the bird utilising the functional remaining engines to provide direction and height. There was a tremendous loss of life (and amazing video of the landing) BUT there were many survivors due entirely to the amazing flying skill of the pilots. Deep respect...

Interestingly, this exercise was tried by senior pilots within the simulators... not one attempt resulted in a landing. Of any sort, that any one could survive.

The second, a luggage loader it seemed 'forced' closed a fuselage door and locked it; it seems that this action rendered the door dangerously compromised with catastrophic results when the aircraft achieved cruising height. McDonald Douglas continued to blame this one individual as the cause of the crash, BUT while he was a major contributory factor, there was a design failure, especially as other luggage doors had blown out of other DC-10's, thank heavens not resulting in catastrophic losses.

The design issue was rectified, and the DC-10 remains an amazing and versatile platform for the civil and military markets.

I guess this heavy metal offering will not be to the 'simming' taste of some, you may prefer a quicker and more nimble steed, frankly, as I have mentioned before, I am one of those. BUT, I do love the occasional sojourn across the water to pastures new, and a steed like the DC-10 is a fine vehicle for this journey.

So, because of my lack of serious heavy flying I have decided to immerse myself in some holiday destination flying...the world's my oyster! Well actually, I will take advantage of the excellent flight tutorial that is provided as a Adobe file, as well as flight plans which you can utilise within both FS2004 and FSX (FS Nav only available in FS2004 at the time of this review).

The flight it seems is deemed as a medium time of an estimated two hour flight time. It will take you from Long beech (KLGB) to Boeing International (KBFI).

Within the tutorial houses a true manual, with oodles of info that is extremely well presented and simple to follow. I printed it and a whopping 82 pages were thrown out of printer, but it has to said, this is vital, and incredibly informative.

       

This will be the inaugural flight for me. I mentioned two hours flying time, well I guess you add at least another hour just getting through the manual! And then there is the input of data as well FMC... Tell you what, put aside a morning or afternoon I were you!

Interestingly, once installed, which was effortless I may add, you are directed to the CLS (Commercial Level Simulation) web site so you may download the liveries. This download is a massive file, but well worth the effort. Installation for this element is also trouble free.

With 30 liveries on offer (FSX or FS2004) and nine types, this McDonnell Douglas DC-10 monster will be an interesting steed to try.

Model features:

• Highly detailed 3D models
• 3D virtual cockpit
• Option for showing the wings from the interior view (wing view)
• All standard animations
• Opening doors and cargo doors
• Pushback truck
• Airstairs
• KC10A Extender model
• KDC10 model
• Animated fuel boom
• Animated drogues
• Over 30 liveries for free
• Dynamic wing flex

Packaging

The download is a fairly large one, so it took a few minutes to sit happily on the hard disk, as far as I am concerned, a simple test, the larger the file the better chance of tremendous detail. We will see?

       

I accessed the CLS web site, the overall quality of DC-10 looked fabulous so I was very eager to press my uniform, get some pre-flights done, and take to the skies.

Once on the computer you simply hit the install icon, and with the purchase key code (supplied) the program is safely deposited onto the designated hard disk.

You also have the option to purchase this program as a DVD, with the usual P&P costs.

Exterior

A real bonus are the fuselage doors. Not only do you find the passenger doors open but the cargo doors open on the cargo variants. A very impressive addition (see the instructions for the door opening key commands).

Let us stay on the exterior. Have you ever wished for a tow truck while in push back? A passenger ladder vehicle when you are fully parked? Well my friends they are included! They are displayed in excellent detail and seem to work very well, i.e., the passenger ladder appears when the parking brakes are applied, and the tow vehicle pushes you out once you select push back. (There is a button to 'push' to activate the passenger stairs ground vehicle, found on the instrument panel).

The passenger truck simply disappears when the brakes are removed. If you select 'push-back' the truck disappears once you select forward movement...a truly lovely touch.

Once you have downloaded the airline color schemes you will have a massive amount to choose from, including two tanker options used by the US Air Force and Royal Netherlands Air Force (I must add, on these the re-fueling beam or refueling drogue can be lowered in flight via a cockpit command).

       

You can choose from an array of airlines. I have to mention the American Airlines color scheme, with polished aluminum effect, is one of the best I have seen, with some lovely effects of reflections. I have no doubt this was a difficult task to perfect, but it has worked here for sure.

When landing the wheels and olio legs really look as if they are taking the weight of this bird. The smoke, when the wheels touch the ground, is very convincing and the reverse thrust and spoiler effect is equally convincing. The attention to detail at this level is excellent.

When taking off, there is wing flex, and seemingly accurate olio movement as the weight is reduced. Once you in the climb, gear-up, make sure you have a good look. The detail inside the undercarriage bays is of the same very high standard; the flaps retract and extend in superb detail.

Navigation lights and anti-collision lights are evident. The exterior night lighting is worthy of praise.

My selection of airlines, and military options from the aircraft menu, went without a hitch, (post downloading of the color schemes) except for the Japan Airlines options; on all options, there was no color at all. However. I noticed a download from CLS to fix this issue, and it did.

I could continue and pick out all the areas worthy on mention re the detail, but it will suffice by saying, from the ground up a beautiful job.

Oh yes, I must mention the effect, if you ever hit the ground a bit on the hard side, sparks and smoke appear, a reminder if you needed it of your less than professional landing!

Sound

       

The interior...well, this will not disappoint. I think the sound levels are perfectly set. When taxiing, the engine note sounds great, and selecting full throttle brings a smile to your face.

As the ground speed increases you are aware of 'rolling' effects and some random rattles, very realistic indeed. In fact, I thought I could detect some voices, VERY low volume but there, the whole ensemble was excellently presented.

After take off, selecting gear up, flaps and trim all had distinctive whine and clunk sounds, which again, did not sound out of place and set at the appropriate and accurate sound levels.

The sound complements this package, a truly great job.

Interior

Personally, I love flying in VC mode. I guess it is more like the actual view one would see. Anyway, this is often the 'icicles heal', both in detail and effective usage of the instruments, i.e., can't see or use them effectively.

It has to said, I found the experience OK. I had to 'zoom-in' a few times to see the read-outs of the primary instruments, but with the ability of calling up some dedicated panels, and superb detail they are selected from the icon cluster found on the instrument panel. OK, this was a small distraction, but acceptable.

There are a number of such offerings. For example, upper and lower engineers panel, throttle quadrant (all coms and nav are selected from here) then you can interact effectively.

Moving away from the instrument panel for a moment, towards the sides and seat upholstery, you will note that the detail in my opinion, is less well defined.

The FMC (Flight Management Computer) is incredibly sophisticated, but this option is a limited function FMC which allows for SIDs and STARs in the MSFS database, radio and navigation frequency entry, v-speed calculation, "direct to" waypoint features, progress display, estimated fuel on board, and more. Still plenty to get on with!

       

Full analog pilots, co-pilots and flight engineer panels are included. Also included is the overhead, throttle quadrant and radio stack.The flight engineer's station has expanded pop ups for easier viewing.

Flying

Full brakes applied, flaps selected, select full power, keep her on the line, and rotation arrives, at some 165 knots, positive rate, gear up, great little servo whine until all safely tucked away.

Gradual flap retraction, build the speed, settle in a level flight. In the cruise, you will detect the occasional trim noise when auto pilot is selected.

After you have got the DC-10 into the cruise, you realise that this bird is deigned for nice long flights, I did a great deal of circuits and bumps, to get a real feel of the plane.

This process I really enjoyed. Using FS Nav, I opted for LONG, LONG finals--boy do you need to plan your approaches! I tuned in the NAV1 and the ILS needles worked perfectly. Incidentally, the NAV and COMS can be altered in the VC mode on the central panel below the throttle quadrant, don't take your eyes off the forward view for too long though!

The DC-10 demands gentle handling. Because of its size, it does not get thrown around the sky, but you will need to input some minor alts, especially if the weather is a little blowy.

Once you arrive onto 'terra-firma' select spoilers, and reverse thrust, the effect is not only impressive, but effective.

As previously mentioned, the FMC is a wonderful invention, but it has to be said, I used FS Nav, not that the supplied FMC is a substandard one, quite the contrary, I am merely far more familiar with the latter.

       

The auto pilot function seemed to work in a predictable efficient manor, worked perfectly with FS Navigator, and Squawkbox.

Cumulative hours flown was some 9 hours, so you will be glad to hear I will not take you thorough a blow for blow account! Phew!

Observations/Conclusions

I have spent some 9 hours in the 'left seat' (sounds rather pathetic doesn't it? Some flying career!). I loved it. With only private aviation behind me, I have no idea how 'real' the flight dynamics are, but a good mate of mine who flys A320's had a play and enjoyed the experience. (BUT he crashed it a few times, so I have vowed a secrecy pact with him, just in case you have holiday booked on his A320! I know I haven't!

The detailed features are numerous and impressive in detail, and operation. Worthy of note is the reverse thruster operation, flexing wings as the speed increases to 'rotate' velocity, spoilers, cargo and cabin doors, engine fans, reflections, wing views...well the list goes on.

I do have to draw your attention to the lovely action of the undercarriage. As the main set leaves terra-firma the unit sinks, nice touch. Keep an eye out for the entire undercarriage detail, especially the hydraulic pipes which are clear to see, such is the detail. The exterior detail reflections, crispness of line, there really is so much more, but I guess listing them all would be plain boring. As I have mentioned above it's all there!

Taking off fully laden seemed to be a bit, well exciting... That threshold was coming up mighty quickly! Keep your nerves, gently pull back on the column, and hew presto you are up, at last! This is not a criticism, but demonstrates how a bird of this size and weight would behave. As we all know you have the option to alter the payload fuel capacities.

I know I said it before, but, I am used to full military power and going ballistic in two seconds, well almost! So this experience was actually very enjoyable, this sedate touring of the skies!

       

Any negative points, I would have to say the cockpit is not the best I have seen/used, I found myself attempting to look through a very bright red light, which was over powering. When I placed my cursor over various instruments pop-up text prompts did not materialise. This was frustrating, especially at the learning stage.

The Japan Airlines color scheme, or lack of it once installed was a little frustrating, but CLS make the download of the patch effortless, and works perfectly. But as a paid for title, should have been complete. I have been informed by CLS this has been rectified and no longer an issue.

On the cockpit main panel and on the many additional cockpit 'specialist' instrument panels, passing the cursor over the various switches and instruments did not result in a immediate text box description. I found myself having to refer to the manual (very comprehensive). OK, that is what it is there for, but still a little frustrating.

Well there it is, one or two minor points, says it all! Available from the Pilot Shop and CLS own site, it is not that cheap, but, if you are looking for a superb sample of a 'BIG HEAVY' jet this three engine beastie is for you.

I know I will be flying the DC-10 for some time to come, a truly lovely aircraft to come out of the CLS studio.

       

System Requirements

• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 or FSX
• 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium IV or AMD equivalent
• Windows XP
• 512 Mb RAM
• 128 Mb 3D graphics accelerator card.
• 1.3 gig free harddisk space for FS2004
• 2.3 gig free harddisk space for FSX

       

Onwards and Upwards.

Nigel C. Martin
n.c.martin@btinternet.com

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