I have recently downloaded the R4D/DC 3 series aircraft from MAAM and cannot get the plane fired up either using the conventional method (per the manual) or even trying "control e." I queried MAAM about it and was told that some players reduced the frame rate below 30, but as mine was already at 20, this was no help. Has anyone else encountered this problem? Is there any ideas?

I had the same problem. The only way I finally got it working was to load another plane first, get the engines running, then load the DC3 and save it, so the next time in it loaded with engines on.