Hi, the MD-11 FMC doesn't seem to take account of the trip lenght when calculating max alt. For example it displays the maximum possible altiude for the current weight eg. Fl300, but the distance to the destination is only 70nm. So it is impossible to reach that altitude. An economic altitude for this trip (LSZH - EDDS) would be FL 130. Is this behavior different to that on the boeings? Jan-Paul

pushing up ;-)

Optimum altitude mainly depends on weight and trip length remains irrelevant.However, the MD-11 FMS features an extremely advanced device : despite any pilot enrty if there is no space for climb to entered cruise altitude and descend, then the FMS will automatically find the maximum possible altitude and thus collocate top of climb and top of descend, while ofcourse taking into account all SID/STAR restrictions.Vangelis===================================== E M V Precision Manuals Development Group www.precisionmanuals.com=====================================