I also have both. Hands down the MD11 gets better FPS than the 744 for me. I don't know why. RegardsRichie

The MD-11 was developed later and with more FS9/FSX programming expertise.

Great thread, guys. I've been 50/50 on buying the MD-11 since I was really holding out for the FSX NG as that's the most realistic bird for the flights I tend to do a lot (LGA-DCA shuttle and similar length (although I realize US Air uses A319/20 for those)). I have the 744, which I love, but its kind of overkill to fly it on short flights, and I just don't have time for transtlantic even at accelerated rates. Lately, I've been doing 4-6 hour flights with it at 4X in cruise. But, if the MD-11 is really "stunning" (Don) and generally a better add-on, I may have to buy it since the NG has slowly evolved into either a 2010 release or vaporware. My wallet curses you all ;)

Great thread, guys. I've been 50/50 on buying the MD-11 since I was really holding out for the FSX NG as that's the most realistic bird for the flights I tend to do a lot (LGA-DCA shuttle and similar length (although I realize US Air uses A319/20 for those)). I have the 744, which I love, but its kind of overkill to fly it on short flights, and I just don't have time for transtlantic even at accelerated rates. Lately, I've been doing 4-6 hour flights with it at 4X in cruise. But, if the MD-11 is really "stunning" (Don) and generally a better add-on, I may have to buy it since the NG has slowly evolved into either a 2010 release or vaporware. My wallet curses you all ;)

If you look on Flightaware you will see short MD11 flights. UPS and Fedex both do some pretty short flights with them. UPS has SDF to MCI round trip, SDF to DTW round trip just to name a few.

If you look on Flightaware you will see short MD11 flights. UPS and Fedex both do some pretty short flights with them. UPS has SDF to MCI round trip, SDF to DTW round trip just to name a few.

Great idea. I did that and its really intersting the diversity of routes the MD11 flies. The two shorties you mentioned, but also routes as long as 14 hours, including one from Houston to Angola. Wow. FWIW, I did the same thing with the 744 and found flights as short as 4 hours. Thanks again. I still think I stuck buying the MD11. For me, as a real pilot of small planes, I love-love-love the complexity of the PMDG modeled systems. So, I get a lot of pleasure out of prgramming, starting and climbing (and the reverse on the other end) of a large simmed jet. If I wanted relentless crusing, I would head out to my hangar. Doug O.

I get better frames in the FS9 MD-11 than I do in the FS9 747. Not only were they higher overall, they also seemed to stay more consistent than the 747 did. At least that's how I remember things, it's been awhile since I've done a comparison of the two.

If you look on Flightaware you will see short MD11 flights. UPS and Fedex both do some pretty short flights with them. UPS has SDF to MCI round trip, SDF to DTW round trip just to name a few.

Those short flights are what I spent much of my MD-11 time doing. I used to love doing long hauls in the 747, but time doesn't allow me to do them any more.Even better, for me anyways is the J41. I'd say 90% of my beta flights have been 30-45 minutes long. Allows me to do multiple flights each night without issue.On a related note to your SDF/MCI UPS comment. I was lucky enough to watch her (The UPS MD-11) fly directly over me at about 5,000 feet a month or two back. It was amazing to see, I just wish I wasn't in a housing development at the time and got to see her for more than a few seconds.