Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - New Aircraft Added to the Fleet: Lockheed L-18 Lodestar

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations | New Aircraft Added to the Fleet: Lockheed L-18 Lodestar

DVA2887
Senior Captain, A320
OLP, 737-ATP, VFRADV

Joined on January 30 2006
50 State Club
Globetrotter
Tri-Jet Triumph
US Coastal Club
Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
US Mountaineer Club
Toulouse 250 Club
Online Eight Century

Charlotte, NC

1,287 legs, 1,796.9 hours
841 legs, 1,048.5 hours online
1,269 legs, 1,774.9 hours ACARS
31 legs, 49.6 hours event
3 legs dispatched, 2.5 hours

Posted onPost created on February 19 2016 11:34 ET by Andrew Vane

The Lockheed Model 18 was the final growth version of the Electra (L-10) and Super Electra (L-14). Northwest operated the L-14 for a short time in 1937 but returned them to Lockheed after a series of crashes linked to a rudder design flaw. Lockheed used one of those airframes to build the L-18 Lodestar, which achieved certification in 1940. Over 600 Lodestars were built in numerous variants for civil and military use. The L-18 Lodestar was operated by Pan Am (6 aircraft used in Alaska), Western Airlines, and Alaska Airlines when it was originally called Alaska Star Airlines, Air France and KLM, among other non-Delta related airlines (United, National, Continental).

FS2004 and FSX freeware versions can be obtained from the Calclassic web site (http://www.calclassic.com/lodestar.html). Keep in mind you’ll need to review the full procedures for engine startup in the documentation as Control-E will not get you going with this model.

This aircraft is a secondary rating to the DC-6 program. To obtain the rating, if you are qualified in the DC-6, go to the Pilot Center and request additional ratings in the DC-6 program and their fine staff will take care of you.

Much thanks to DC-6 Chief Pilot for all his research into getting this aircraft into our fleet. It is a part of Delta and Air France's history. I'm anxious to take one up!

Let's see those screenies!

Andrew Vane (DVA2887)

DVA5643
Senior Captain, DC-6

Joined on February 08 2008
Piston Prop Professional
50 State Club
US Coastal Club
Globetrotter
US Mountaineer Club
Flying Colonel
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Long Beach 500 Club

"I'd rather be lucky than good"
Hampton, GA USA

1,916 legs, 2,889.8 hours
5 legs, 3.8 hours online
1,909 legs, 2,879.8 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on February 19 2016 15:07 ET by Jim Daigneau

Thanks, Drew!

Jim Daigneau (DVA5643)

Posted onPost created on February 19 2016 16:02 ET by Jim Daigneau

Also everyone, remember to update ACARS data files to include this aircraft to include this aircraft. Remember--lock that tail wheel for takeoff! ;-)

Jim Daigneau (DVA5643)

DVA12216
Senior Captain, MD-88
OLP

Joined on July 25 2013
50 State Club
Globetrotter
Tin Dispatcher
White Knuckles Club
Online Triple Century Club
Million Mile Club
DVA Five-Year Anniversary
US Coastal Club
DVA Fleet Master
Everett 500 Club
Flying Colonel

"Speed is life, altitude is life insurance."
Alexandria, VA

1,798 legs, 4,339.1 hours
378 legs, 681.8 hours online
1,718 legs, 4,088.0 hours ACARS
14 legs, 36.8 hours event
311 legs dispatched, 224.4 hours

Posted onPost created on February 19 2016 21:33 ET by Matthew Murray

Awesome!! Thanks Jim and Andrew. Will be a fun one to fly.

As a side note, I got the chance to see one of these classic airplanes in person at the 1940's Air Terminal Museum in Houston, TX. Here's a pic or two of it:

Tail

Nose and Prop view wink

Cockpit

Album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.628996003884541.1073741852.100003224421850&type=1&l=382bf1c75f

Matthew Murray (DVA12216)

DVA2307
Captain, DC-6

Joined on April 28 2005
Quad-Jet Quartermaster
50 State Club
Globetrotter
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Black Pearl Club
Online Triple Century Club
Six Century Club
Everett 250 Club

"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast..."
Bigelow, AR

637 legs, 1,424.0 hours
363 legs, 546.1 hours online
363 legs, 979.2 hours ACARS
4 legs, 5.7 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 07:46 ET by James Rice

What a beautiful restoration. Getting a little radio work done I see smile

James Rice

Captain, DC-6

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 08:06 ET by Andrew Vane

Great pictures James! Thanks for sharing!

Andrew Vane (DVA2887)

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 08:09 ET by Andrew Vane

Calclassic just has the textures. The aircraft for FS2004 and FSX can be found at the simviation web site:

http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=lodestar&categoryId=&page=0&filename=

There are lots of files and updates to download to get it updated.

Andrew Vane (DVA2887)

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 08:09 ET by James Rice

MM put those shots up smile

James Rice

Captain, DC-6

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 09:02 ET by Andrew Vane

Ha ha. Thanks Matthew!

I have to travel to Hartford in a week. They have an air museum with an L-10 but I'm getting in too late to see it before they close. If I'd known in advance, I would have flown earlier in the day to squeeze in an hour of seeing it. They have a B-29 as well and some of the classic jets of the past most museums usually have.

These downloads are taking forever with the free account! 95MB aircraft 35min! frown

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 14:02 ET by Jim Daigneau

Thanks Andrew and thank you Matt for the great panel shot! I'm a little embarrassed because Milt's panel was very close. I put the CHT gauges on the glare shield but, as I can see, they are a combined gauge just above the pedestal. Oh well, a local mod.
You've some busy days Andrew...go flying!

Jim Daigneau (DVA5643)

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 15:07 ET by Andrew Vane

I started on the runway in SEA with engines running, advanced, took off, swung around and landed. Very cool aircraft. I'll go from cold startup next time. This thing wants to fly and I think my vref was 60 knots or something. I had to almost force it to the ground.

Video here: https://youtu.be/l24w0Ilsnxg

Andrew Vane (DVA2887)

Posted onPost created on February 20 2016 16:44 ET by Jim Daigneau

Beautiful job, Drew. You saw what i was talking about with the flaps--very effective. On a normal takeoff, I have not been using any flaps, full forward stick to get the tail up as soon as I can, then let her lift off when ready with a slight rotation. FUN!

Jim Daigneau (DVA5643)

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