I flew the DC-3 fom 1965-1969 as Airline Capt.
DC-3 INDEED had an Auto Pilot. Very very basic, which controlled the Pitch and Direction. At best you had to adjust both Pitch (for altitude) and Direction EVERY 3 (THREE) MINUTES. I think it was hydraulically operated. But at that time it was a luxury. It had a hydraulic selector below the throttle console.
Once I as a co-pilot had gone to the toilet and we lost an engine. AUTO PILOT WAS ON.I rushed back to the cockpit. I found that the capt. could not reach the Auto-pilot selector, because the engine loss had moved the control column back pinning the capt. back in his seat. I ,of course jumped and disengaged the AP and things got under control. |
