The Plane That Changed the World

The Plane that Changed the World

The Douglas DC-3 was a product of innovation and competition with the Boeing 247. European designers are responsible for a lot of the innovations that went into the DC-3 which entered service in the 1930s. (Bilstein)

The DC-3 had 50 percent greater passenger capacity than it’s predecessor the DC-2 yet it only cost 10 percent more to operate. Traveling coast to coast in sixteen hours it was considered a fast trip in its time. Because of it’s increased comfort and better sound proofing the DC-3 attracted many new travelers to flying. (AVJOBS)

Relying solely on passenger revenue it was the first aircraft to make a profit in this arena. By the end of 1938 95 percent of all United States commercial airline traffic flew on DC-3s. By 1939 ninety percent of the world’s airline traffic was being carried on DC-3s. (U.S. Centennial)

When World War II began the Army Air Forces became the largest purchaser of the DC-3 acquiring 10,000 aircraft. This demand caused Douglas to build a third manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City to the existing plants in Long Beach and Santa Monica. (U.S. Centennial)

This incredible aircraft was at the leading edge of innovation for it’s time. Making leaps in the ability to double previous passenger complements, increase comfort, and become the number one military aircraft. After more than six decades hundreds of DC-3s are still flying today. (Aviation Jobs)

Reference:

Bilstein, Roger E. (2001). Flight in America: from the Wrights to the Astronauts - 3rd Edition Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Aviation Jobs (1999). http://www.avjobs.com/history/index.asp

Retrieved from the www on June, 30 2008.

U.S. Centennial (2002). http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/DC- 3/Aero29.htm  Retrieved from the www on June, 31 2008.

The Douglas DC-3 was at the leading edge of innovation for it's...