Help us with the completion of a world unique Douglas DC-9 simulator that crashed in Czechoslovakia in 1975 and enjoy a pleasant flight or experience the feelings the pilots had just before the air disaster in Prague-Suchdol.
Author: Petr Bílý
Liberec, Liberecký kraj, Česká republika
All or nothing. Project finished on Jan 7, 2017 at 20:36.
We are a team of enthusiasts from different corners of our country, who acquired the front part of a decommissioned Douglas DC-9 in Canada and decided for a unique way of bringing this aircraft to life. All devices are left unchanged and we simulate (contrary to standard simulators) conditions that are identical to conditions in the given flight phase (atmospheric pressure, vacuum, velocity, temperature, electrical capacity, voltage, electric current, etc.). After three years and more than 10,000 hours of work we can say that all the systems are functional. The only thing we are still missing is a perfect cockpit view.
Model of planned cylindrical projection with height of 3m and diameter of 6m
* Cylindrical projection with a projection screen larger than 42 square metres, five powerful beamers and two LCDs.
What you get in return for your contribution?
Support us and choose your reward
In 2013, when I heard for the first time about a group of enthusiasts who brought a cockpit of a decommissioned popular airliner, I thought that many people collect all sorts of artifacts in their plots. In 2015, on the anniversary of the disaster, Czech TV informed about the advanced stage of transition to the simulator. As I am a captain of airliners, I started keeping an eye on the project and decided to support the whole idea and project. I have never piloted Douglas DC-9, therefore I am really looking forward to the moment when the project is completed and after a couple hours of training I will have the possibility to experience the flight simulation and disaster reconstruction. And then I can conscientiously say how much the system is entirely authentic.
Three years ago, on April 27, 2013 at 2:38 PM I wrote to one Canadian enthusiast who was selling an old cockpit of Douglas DC-9 which was fully equiped with inoperable avionics:
“I am very interested in purchasing cockpit of DC-9. Is it still available? Can you please send me some more detailed photos?”.
That was the day when an ordinary man began to hope in a world unique thing. It was the day when I was convinced again that even a small group of smart people in the Czech Republic who are full of optimism and enthusiasm can accomplish something big. Contracts, loading, transport……
…it was not easy, but on August 9, 2013, I touched the DC-9 for the first time. It was incredibly strong moment.
McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is an American twin-engine airliner designed for short flights with capacity for up to 135 passengers. It is the first model in the family of aircrafts designed by McDonnell Douglas, which was later acquired by Boeing.
Photo of our cockpit before its decommissioning and cutting up
DC-9 took its place in the Czechoslovak history when it crashed in Prague-Suchdol in 1975. Once the simulator is completed, we will try to reconstruct the air disaster.
Present photo of our cockpit with functional devices
Photo of backlit engine panel
It is the year 1975. After take-off from the airport in Tivat, the entire flight seems quite as normal, with no complications. The weather was clear but above Czechoslovakia the sky became cloudy. Sometimes, it was possible to see the landscape in the gaps between the clouds. Cabin crew began with preparation for landing. The aircraft was last heard at 9:19 AM. The control tower call at 9:21 AM was left without crew respond. At 9:28 AM was the aircraft crash announced for the first time. Air disaster claimed 79 lives. Downfalls are still unclear. After considering all the facts it is certain that there were more mistakes.
DC-9 dashboard, crashed aircraft on the left, our cockpit on the right
Tragedy facts
Downfall of Yugoslavian aircraft on October 30, 1975 is the largest air disaster in the Czech Republic
During the preparation for landing, the aircraft crashed into Sedlecka rock above the river Vltava in Prague-Suchdol
79 passengers lost their lives, including two pilots and two flight attendants, 41 passengers survived the accident
The circumstances under which the tragedy occurred, has never been fully clarified. The official version blamed the pilots
This event took its place in the rescue history. All the injured and wounded passengers were extricated from the wreckage within half an hour after the crash
Surely most of you know the Czech TV series “Ambulance”, where the main heroes drive out to the aircraft wreckage. It was the flight from Tivat to Prague which unfortunately crashed in Suchdol.
Comments