This is the Beech model E18S which I flew from 1973-79 and 3,000 hours. The Beech 18 simply demanded that it's pilot bring unerring airmanship skills to the cockpit, or pay the price! I flew it in scheduled passenger operations out of Fort Leonard Wood, MO where I worked for a commuter airline. I am one of the last pilots to have flown not only the Beech 18, but the DC-3 as well, in scheduled passenger ops. I also flew the mail at night on contract routes and prisoners for the US Army.
I hope don't you mind if I ask you a technical question about the D18. As an avid flight simmer, I love to simulate real procedures in the sim. I've read tons of testimonies and books about this plane and the DC3, but cough my attention how little info there is about how to proceed during the descents in these radial engines planes, particularly the Twin Beech. I read some testimonies of DC3 pilots talking about how to avoid the backloading during this phase, no allowing the prop "runs" the engine as such low speeds. I wonder if this problem happens too in the R985 engines of the D18s. As far I've read, in the DC3 you have to "square" the MAP and the props (21" / 2100). Is it recommended too in the D18? Thank you very much for your time and sorry this little "assault" with these technical questions. Regards
