IATA D3FICAO DC3

Douglas DC-3

Douglas

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The revolutionary airliner that made commercial aviation profitable.

First flight

1935

Category

Piston airliner

Seating

21–32 passengers

Range

2,400 km

Engines

Two piston radial engines (typically Pratt & Whitney R-1830 or Wright R-1820)

Status

In service (limited)

The Douglas DC-3 is a twin-engine propeller-driven airliner developed by Douglas Aircraft Company in the 1930s. Its combination of speed, range, and passenger capacity transformed commercial aviation by enabling airlines to turn a profit carrying passengers rather than relying on airmail subsidies. First entering service in 1936, the DC-3 became the dominant airliner of its era and was widely used during World War II as the military transport variants C-47 Skytrain and Dakota. Tens of thousands were produced, serving military and civilian roles across the globe. Decades after its introduction, the DC-3 remains in limited commercial and cargo service in various parts of the world. Its rugged reliability, simple maintenance requirements, and adaptability have allowed it to outlast generations of more modern aircraft.

Notable operators

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Eastern Air Lines were among the major early operators; today small regional operators in Africa, South America, and the Caribbean still fly the type.

Notable facts

›Over 16,000 aircraft were built in total, including military variants.
›The DC-3 is widely credited with making commercial aviation economically viable.
›Military versions were designated C-47 Skytrain by the USAAF and Dakota by the RAF.
›Some airframes in service today are over 80 years old.
›The DC-3 could carry enough passengers to turn a profit without relying on airmail contracts.

Read more on Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.

Encyclopaedia

The Douglas DC-3 is a propeller-driven airliner that was manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It had a lasting effect on the airline industry from the 1930s through World War II. It was developed as a larger, improved, 14-bed sleeper version of the Douglas DC-2. It is a low-wing metal monoplane with conventional landing gear, powered by two radial piston engines of 1,000–1,200 hp (750–890 kW). Although the DC-3s originally built for civil service had the Wright R-1820 Cyclone, later civilian DC-3s used the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engine. The DC-3 has a cruising speed of 207 mph (333 km/h), a capacity of 21 to 32 passengers or 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) of cargo, and a range of 1,500 mi (2,400 km); it can operate from short runways.

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