DOUGLAS DC-6B CLOUDMASTER (PMDG) (1.
with AFE)
Guide – Checklist & Procedures for MS Flight Simulator
https://www.youtube.com/c/jaydeegaming
NOTES / HINWEISE
----- English -----
This checklist is intented for flight simulator use only. I tried to optimize
workflow for single pilot operation.
For this aircraft I made two guides. The first one is for playing in the
role of the Flight Captain and therefore fully incorperating the
Artificial Flight Engineer (AFE). The second one will be for people
who want to handle the aircraft alone.
----- Deutsch -----
Diese Checkliste ist nur für den Gebrauch im Simulator gedacht. Die
Checkliste ist für die Operation mit einem einzelnen Piloten optimiert.
Für dieses Flugzeug habe ich zwei Guides gemacht. Der erste Teil ist
für das Spielen als Flugkapitän unter voller Nutzung des
Künstlichen Flugingeneurs (AFE). Der zweite Teil ist für Spieler, die
das Flugzeug komplett alleine bedienen wollen.
(MP)......................................................................................Main Panel
(OH)..............................................................................Overhead Panel
(CP)....................................................................Center Panel/Pedestal
(CEP).................................................................Center Eyebrow Panel
(LEP).......................................................................Left Eyebrow Panel
(REP)....................................................................Right Eyebrow Panel
(BP)......................................................................................Back Panel
EFB....................................Electronic Flight Bag/Tablet left side of Pilot
MAN..............................................................Manifold Pressure (in.HG)
BMEP.....................................................Brake Mean Effictive Pressure
abcdefg.......................................most important items for a quick start
abcdefg..............................not so relevant, but for a complete checklist
abcdefg.....................................................relevant mostly for IFR / ATC
abcdefg...............................................................gameplay / ui features
abcdefg..........................mostly relevant for navigation and/or autopilot
AFE...................................................................Artificial Flight Engineer
AS REQ................................................................................as required
IF DES.....................................................................................if desired
SPECIFICATIONS / LIMITATIONS
Empty Weight...................................................................(A) 52.567 lbs
Max. Takeoff Weight (WET TO)............................................107.200 lbs
Max. Takeoff Weight (DRY TO)..............................................87.600 lbs
Service Ceiling..........................................................................25.000 ft
Max. Demonstrated Crosswind (manual).....................................26 kts
VA (Max. Maneuver Speed)...........................................143 – 178 KIAS
VFE 30° (Max. Flaps 30° Extended Speed)...............................173 KIAS
VFE FULL (Max. Flaps >30°Extended Speed)...........................153 KIAS
VLE/LO (Landing Gear Extension)............................................173 KIAS
Range...................................................................................~ 4.000 NM
Takeoff Ground Roll (Sea Level)..............................................~ 5.500 ft
Landing Distance (Sea Level)..................................................~ 5.000 ft
FUEL PLANNING (very rough estimate with 1h reserve)
Distance 1.000 NM 2.000 NM 3.000 NM 4.000 NM
Fuel 12.000 lbs 22.000 lbs 30.000 lbs Max.lbs
1. CRZ FL 110/120 110/120 150/160 150/160
2. CRZ FL 150/160 150/160 240/250 240/250
by JayDee v1.0
GUIDE 1 – playing as FLIGHT CAPTAIN (full use of AFE)
PREFLIGHT / BEFORE START
Parking Brake....................................................................CHECK SET
Landing Gear Lever.......................................................CHECK DOWN
EFB................................................SET RADIO OPTIONS & REALISM
EFB..............................................................SETUP RAMP MANAGER
EFB.........................................................................SET LOAD & FUEL
EFB.................................................................CHECK MAINTENANCE
AFE (EFB) ................................................................BEFORE START
- AFE manages – checklist, switches & doors
Wait until AFE announces "Start the Engines"!
Avionics/Radios/GPS........................................SET & PROGRAMMED
NAVI/CDI................................................................... SET GPS IF REQ
Transponder........................................................AS REQ/SET & STBY
Altimeter...................................................................SET LOCAL QNH
Internal Lights..................................................................................SET
ENGINE START
Beacon.................................................................................CHECK ON
Engine Start Order – 3, 4, 2, 1. AFE should have set Ingnition and
Engine Selector to 3 after the Before Start Check!
----- Starting Engine 3 -----
Mixture Engine 3 (CP)...........................................CHECK AUTO RICH
Ignition Engine 3 (OH).............................................CHECK SET BOTH
Engine Selector (OH)......................................................CHECK SET 3
Fuel Booster Pump 3 (OH).....................................................SET LOW
Fuel Pressure Gauge 3 (MP).....................................................CHECK
Starter Switch (OH)..........................................................PRESS BOTH
Let Engineer count to 12 Blades. Then in quick order:
(Ignition) Booster Switch (OH)....................................................PRESS
Primer Switch (OH).....................................................................PRESS
Oil Pressure Gauge 3 (MP)........................................................CHECK
If no oil pressure is indicating after 30 seconds, shut down the
engine and let it be checked!
Throttle Engine 3.......................................CHECK IDLE (<1.000 RPM)
(Ignition) Booster Switch (OH).......................................CHECK RESET
Primer Switch (OH).......................................................CHECK RESET
----- Starting Engine 4 -----
Mixture Engine 4 (CP).................................................SET AUTO RICH
Ignition Engine 4 (OH)..........................................................SET BOTH
Engine Selector (OH).............................................................SELECT 4
Fuel Booster Pump 4 (OH).....................................................SET LOW
Fuel Pressure Gauge 4 (MP).....................................................CHECK
Starter Switch (OH).........................................................PRESS BOTH
Let Engineer count to 12 Blades. Then in quick order:
(Ignition) Booster Switch (OH)....................................................PRESS
Primer Switch (OH).....................................................................PRESS
Oil Pressure Gauge 4 (MP)........................................................CHECK
If no oil pressure is indicating after 30 seconds, shut down the
engine and let it be checked!
Throttle Engine 4.......................................CHECK IDLE (<1.000 RPM)
(Ignition) Booster Switch (OH).......................................CHECK RESET
Primer Switch (OH).......................................................CHECK RESET
Repeat for Engines 2 and then 1
Beginner Guide - Checklist & Procedures by JayDee - Page 1
 DOUGLAS DC-6B CLOUDMASTER (PMDG) (1. with AFE)
Guide – Checklist & Procedures for MS Flight Simulator by JayDee v1.0

BEFORE TAXI TAKEOFF & INITIAL CLIMB

AFE (EFB) ..................................................................AFTER START → line up and brake
- AFE manages – checklist, switches & some engine parameters! → set PARKING BRAKE
- Player NEEDS to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
AFE (EFB)................................TAKEOFF (DRY) or TAKEOFF( WET)
Wait unil AFE announces "After Start Check Complete"! - AFE manages – power setups, flaps, cowl flaps, gear, after takeoff
checklist
Cowl Flaps (CEP)............................................................CHECK OPEN - Player does NOT need to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
Gust Lock..............................................................................REMOVED
→ AFE brings the engines to ~ 30 in.HG MAN
ATC Clearances........................................................................AS REQ → quick check - RPM > 2.150 RPM
Parking Brake (CP)................................................................RELEASE → quick check - FLAPS 20°
→ AFE now brings engines to TO POWER
→ release PARKING BRAKE @ ~ 40 inHG MAN
TAXI → keep aircraft centered on runway
→ quick check – 53 inHG (Dry) or 59.5 inHG (Wet)
→ if using reverse thrust, be carefull, don´t use brakes
→ quick check - WATERINJECTION LIGHTS ALL GREEN
→ taxi very slowly
(above 49 In.HG – WET only))
→ RPM ~ 1.000
→ @ V2 (=VR) rotate very slowly and only a few degrees
→ avoid RPM between 1.200 – 1.500 RPM (Hamonization)
→ keep PITCH ~ 5° Nose Up to further accelerate
→ CLIMB RATE ~ 500 fpm
BEFORE TAKEOFF → @ 165 KIAS start raising Nose to maintain that speed
→ CLIMB RATE increases to > 1.000 fpm
Determine wether to use DRY or WET takeoff, depending on → AFE should set 40 in.HG MAN and 2.400 RPM
actual Gross Weight. → AFE should have raises Gear and fully retracted Flaps

----- DRY TAKEOFF -----

Dry Takeoff means – No Waterinjection into the combustion
process.
Max.BHP (Brutto Horse Power)...............................................1.950 HP
Max.Manifold Pressure.............................................................53 in.HG
Max. Takeoff Gross Weight....................................................87.600 lbs
----- WET TAKEOFF -----
Wet Takeoff means – Waterinjection into the combustion process
for more available Power.
Max.BHP (Brutto Horse Power)...............................................2.400 HP
Max.Manifold Pressure..........................................................59.5 in.HG
Max. Takeoff Gross Weight..................................................103.800 lbs
Determine V1, V2 in the placard at Overhead Panel.
V2 is also VR.
AFE (EFB)...........................................................BEFORE TAKEOFF
- AFE manages – checklist, fuel pumps, flaps, pitot heat, lights, cowl
flaps
- Player NEEDS to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
You can already start to taxi onto the runway to lineup, while the
AFE still runs the BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECK.
After AFE announces CHECK COMPLETE
Pressurization (REP)........................................................SET CRZ ALT
Flaps (CP)...................................................................CHECK SET 20°
Pitot Heat (CEP).................................................................CHECK ON
Landing Lights......................................................................CHECK ON
Engine Instruments....................................................................CHECK
Flight Controls...............................................................CHECK FREE
Trim...............................................................................SET NEUTRAL
CRUISE CLIMB
Flaps....................................................................................CHECK UP
Gear.....................................................................................CHECK UP
Anti Ice.....................................................................................AS REQ
Autopilot......................................................................................IF DES
----- CLIMB POWER SETTING -----
40 inHG MAN / 2.400 RPM / 165 KIAS
AFE (EFB).............................................................STILL IN TAKEOFF
- AFE manages – climb power
- Player does NOT need to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
@ Critical Altitude
AFE (EFB)..............................................................................DISABLE
Blower (Engine Supercharger).......................................SHIFT to HIGH
Switch 2 engines at a time (1&4, then 2&3) and reduce M.P by ~ 10-
12 inHG before swicthing to HIGH.
Maintain Climb Power manually after switching to High Blower
@ Transition Altitude
Altimeter..........................................................................SET STD QNE
@ ~ 500 ft below Cruising-Altitude
→ decrease rate of climb (manually or gyro pilot) to level off
→ trim for level flight or use gyropilots altitude hold

Altimeter...................................................................SET LOCAL QNH

Avionics/Radios/GPS.........................................................CHECK SET
NAVI/CDI....................................................................SET GPS IF REQ
Transponder.......................................................................AS REQ/ON
ATC Clearances........................................................................AS REQ
Start Replay-Tool Recording.......................................................IF DES
Parking Brake.........................................................................RELEASE

Beginner Guide - Checklist & Procedures by JayDee - Page 2

 DOUGLAS DC-6B CLOUDMASTER (PMDG) (1. with AFE)
Guide – Checklist & Procedures for MS Flight Simulator by JayDee v1.0

CRUISE
----- Use AFE for a Medium Power Cruise Settings ------
AFE (EFB)................................................................................CRUISE
- AFE manages – cruise power
- Player does NOT need to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
OR
----- Use Manual Power Cruise Settings ------
AFE (EFB).............................................................................DISABLE
- Player NEEDS to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!

RECOMMENDED CRUISE PROFILE

Actual Gross Weight 105.000 100.000 95.000 90.000 85.000 80.000 75.000
Max.Crz.Altitude 12.000 ft 16.000 ft 22.000 ft 22.000 ft 23.000 ft 25.000 ft 25.000 ft
*1) + *2) *1) + *2) *3) *3) *3) *3) *3)
ISA -09°C -17°C -29°C -29°C -31°C -35°C -35°C
IAS 193 189 182 182 180 169 176
TAS 237 248 264 264 266 258 267
FF 584 592 630 597 570 521 521
BHP 1.200 1.200 1.200 1.150 1.100 1.000 1.000
RPM 2.200 2.250 2.300 2.300 2.300 2.300 2.300
BMEP 154 151 147 141 135 123 123
BLOWER LOW LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
*1) If temperature is more than 10°C above ISA, decrease Max.Crz.Altitude by 1.000 ft
*2) If temperature is more than 10°C below ISA, increase Max.Crz.Altitude by 1.000 ft
*3) If BMEP cannot be reached due to to warm temperatures, decrease Crz.Altitude DESCENT
ATC Clearances........................................................................AS REQ
FUEL MANAGEMENT GPS/Flightplan..................................ACTIVATE APPROACH / IF REQ
Always use Fuel Booster Pumps when switching Tanks. HIGH on the Tank that is
going to be switches off und LOW on the Tank that is going to be switched ON. @ Transition Flightlevel
A) At Cruise Switch from MAIN to ALTERNATE Altimeter......................................................SET LOCAL QNH
Switch on Tank at a time!
Main Fuel Pumps...........................................................................HIGH @ TOD & still with CRUISE POWER
Alternate Fuel Pumps.....................................................................LOW AFE (EFB)................................................................................CRUISE
Fuel Selector (CP)................................................ALTERNATE (middle) - AFE manages – power settings
Main Fuel Pumps.............................................................................OFF - Player does NOT need to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
Check Fuel Flow & Pressure, if no Fuel Flow or Pressure → trim the airplane (manually or Gyropilot) for a
indicates – switch Fuel Selector immediately back to Main-Tank! sinkrate of 1.000 fpm
→ maintain Cruise Power Settings (manually or AFE)
B) When Alternate-Tanks 1 & 4 are empty (~100lbs left), switch
Engines to Alternate-Tanks 2 & 3 using Crossfeed. @ 10.000 ft / FL100
AFE (EFB)............................................................................DESCENT
Switch on Side at a time! - AFE manages – power settings, descent checklist & superchargers
Alternate Fuel Boost Pumps..................Outboard HIGH the other LOW to back to LOW
Left Crossfeed Lever (CP)................2 ENGINE CROSSFEED (middle) - Player does NOT need to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
Fuel Selector Outboard Tank (1 or 4).......................................OFF (aft) → trim the airplane (manually or Gyropilot) to keep a
Alternate Fuel Boost Pumps Outboard Tank....................................OFF sinkrate of 1.000 fpm
Check Fuel Flow & Pressure! → quick check - Engine Superchargers LOW
→ quick check - Manifold Pressere ~ 26 inHG
C) When ALL Alternate-Tanks are empty (~100 lbs left), switch → quick check - RPM ~ 2.200 RPM
back to Main-Tanks without Crossfeed. → reguarly check if on descent profile
→ if behind descent profile (to high): slightly increase sinkrate
Switch one Side at a time! → if ahead fo descent profile (to low): slightly decrease sinkrate
Main Fuel Pumps............................................................................LOW
Alternate Fuel Pumps.....................................................................HIGH @ ~ 500 ft above Leveloff-Altitude (which is 3.000 ft above
Fuel Selectors.......................................................................MAIN (fwd) destination elevation or proper procedure altitude)
Crossfeed Lever......................................................................OFF (fwd) → decrease sinkrate (manually or gyro pilot) to level off
Alternate Fuel → trim for level flight or use gyropilots altitude hold
Pumps......................................................................OFF
after leveling off
AFE (EFB)............................................................................IN RANGE
- AFE manages – power settings, fuel pumps, some switches
- Player does NOT need to manage power (Throttle & RPM)!
→ quick check - Manifold Pressere ~ 26 inHG
→ quick check - RPM ~ 2.200 RPM
→ quick check – Airspeed ~ 240 KIAS and decreasing

Beginner Guide - Checklist & Procedures by JayDee - Page 3

 DOUGLAS DC-6B CLOUDMASTER (PMDG) (1. with AFE)
Guide – Checklist & Procedures for MS Flight Simulator by JayDee v1.0

APPROACH / SLOWING DOWN → use brakes if required

→ slowly taxi to leave the runway before making any
Approach should be done completely on Segment at the Leveloff- configuration changes
Altitude ~ 3.000 ft above destination elevation. Level-Segment should
start latest ~ 30 NM before destination.
AFTER LANDING
Check Placard on Overhead-Panel for VAPP and VREF for
FULL FLAPS configuration. AFE (EFB)...............................................................AFTER LANDING
- AFE manages – checklist, flaps, some switches
BMEP are just etimates and for rough reference. They depend on - Player NEEDS to manage power (Throttle & RPM)
actual gross weight. It is more important to hold the speeds.
@ ~ 30 – 35 NM
AFE (EFB).............................................................................DISABLE
- Player NEEDS to manage power (Throttle & RPM)
PARKING / SHUT DOWN
→ set/keep RPM 2.200 AFE (EFB)...........................................................................PARKING
→ set/keep Throttle to 26 inHG (~ 90 – 110 BMEP) - AFE manages – checklist
→ trim for level flight or use gyropilots altitude hold
→ airspeed should be slowing down
→ if required - lower Power to slow down faster (70 – 100 BMEP) GO AROUND
→ set FLAPS 10° @ 168 KIAS
→ set FLAPS 15° @ 160 KIAS
→ set FLAPS 20° @ 150 KIAS
→ airspeed should settle at ~ 140 KIAS
→ if required adjust BMEP to to hold 140 KIAS (~ 100 -150 BMEP)

STRAIGHT IN or ILS LANDING

You should be at ~ 140 KIAS / Flaps 20° and ~ 3.000 ft above landing
elevation at around 12- 15 NM distance to runway.

BMEP are just etimates and for rough reference. They depend on
actual gross weight. It is more important to hold the speeds.

My recommend order for switching Autopilot from GPS to ILS

1. Garmin: GPS -> VLOC
2. Gyro-Pilot: LOC -> GYR
3. GYR-> LOC
4. LOC-> APP

TIPP: Autofeather is very very sensitive, switch it off, if you

constanly triggering it, until you get familiar with retarding the
throttle slowly.

@ ~15 NM
AFE (EFB)............................................................BEFORE LANDING
- AFE manages – flaps, gear, lights, propellers and more
- Player NEEDS to manage power (Throttle only)

→ adjust Throttles to hold VAPP (~ 100 - 150 BMEP)

@ GS Capture or ~ 10 NM
→ start descending
→ sinkrate for a 3° path = 5 times GS (~600 - 800 fpm)
→ adjust THROTTLES to maintain VAPP (~60 - 140 BMEP)

@ 1.000 ft AGL or ~ 3 NM
Flaps...............................................................................CHECK FULL
Landing Gear............................................................CHECK 3 GREEN
Propellers................................................................CHECK 2.400 RPM
Autopilot..........................................................................DISCONNECT
→ adjust Throttles to slowly bleed speed off to reach
VREF at threshold (~ 60 - 120 BMEP)

@ 30 ft AGL
→ slowly pull Throttles to IDLE (autofeather is VERY sensitiv)
→ flare a little bit (only a couple degrees)
→ touchdown with main wheels first
→ lower Nose after Touchdown
→ activate Reverser
→ advance Throttles to around 25-30 inHG

@ 40 KIAS
→ pull back Throttles to IDLE
→ Reverser Bar should automatically POP back up
→ advance Throttles shortly to ~ 25 inHG to make sure
all propellers got out of reverse
→ use brakes if required

Beginner Guide - Checklist & Procedures by JayDee - Page 4