I was curious to know if the Boeing 717 has for the most part the same automatic flight systems as the MD-11. It seems that the MD-11 has a more advanced set-up than the 747, 57, 67 & for that matter the 777. Would anybody care to comment? I much prefer the automatic warning systems and displays that are available on the MD-11 over the Boeing sytems. I hope the upcoming 737 NGX will have more advanced features. I know that the HUD will be a major addition.Regards,jack

The 717 avionics are certainly based on the MD-11, but the MD-11's automation was not carried over. For instance, the fuel system will not automatically reconfigure the crossfeeds to maintain balance after an engine failure, etc.If you're referring to the autopilot's automation, then yes, the 717's capabilities are very similar to the MD-11.Regards,Nick

I was curious to know if the Boeing 717 has for the most part the same automatic flight systems as the MD-11. It seems that the MD-11 has a more advanced set-up than the 747, 57, 67 & for that matter the 777. Would anybody care to comment? I much prefer the automatic warning systems and displays that are available on the MD-11 over the Boeing sytems. I hope the upcoming 737 NGX will have more advanced features. I know that the HUD will be a major addition.

Jack,simply put, the 717 has the MD-11's avionics but NOT the systems. Systems are basically all carried over from the MD-80, meaning no automatic system controllers doing the work.If you are used to the automation the MD-11 provides you will find the 737NG to be a HUGE step back regarding automation. There's no centralised warning system at all, and the overhead is full of old on/off flip switches. Yes you can have a HUD and yes you have a good FMS, but the MD-11 is still among those airliners with the highest degree of automation, after all those years in service. Markus