I just received the fabulous PMDG MD-11 a couple of days ago, and had a bit of time to read through the operating manual. Since I generally have only a limited time to sim each week, I tend to fly mostly manual controlling the plane. The couple of time I took the MD-11 up for a quick spin, the autopilot would engage and thus I was unable to control the engines and airspeed (i was still able to control directional). Anyway, for the mean time, before I am able to complete the tutorial, I would like to be able just to fly some 100% manually controlled flights, without using the autopilot/autothrottle systems. When I hit "Z" key twice per the maual, I still had no airspeed control, so what can I do to completely turn off autopilot? Thanks for any help!Pete

Just push the autothrottle button on the levers, that should do it...but as far as i know the md11 would still take control if the airplane is about to stall...htp

Just push the autothrottle button on the levers, that should do it...but as far as i know the md11 would still take control if the airplane is about to stall...htp

Thanks for the prompt repsonse. So, if I somehow end up stalling, then the plane takes control, once it is recovered from the stall I can press the autothrottle button and regain manual control? Obviously, since I have not had much of a chance to review all of the many systems, I had this happen and never regained control of the plane. I just said the heck with it and escaped out of the flight after trying a few different things. Also based on your response, I am gathering that the autothrottle is a separate function from the autopilot? Sorry for sounding so ignorant with these questions, and thanks again for you input.

yeah, you should regain control of your throttle by pressing the button. the ats and ap seems to me like 2 different system, which can be controlled by the fmc (sorry if that input is wrong...) I havnt really much flying hours on the pmdg md11, since the j41 was released 2 weeks after i brought the plane, i am currently flying over the alps with the j41 where i cant save my flightpanel status, otherwise i would check it out...sorry for my bad grammer :-(

yeah, you should regain control of your throttle by pressing the button. the ats and ap seems to me like 2 different system, which can be controlled by the fmc (sorry if that input is wrong...) I havnt really much flying hours on the pmdg md11, since the j41 was released 2 weeks after i brought the plane, i am currently flying over the alps with the j41 where i cant save my flightpanel status, otherwise i would check it out...sorry for my bad grammer :-(

Thanks again, I will give it a shot when I get home from work later. I did tell myself that this is the plane I will really dedicate myself to learning how all of the systems work, so hopefully I don't get lazy!

Thanks again, I will give it a shot when I get home from work later. I did tell myself that this is the plane I will really dedicate myself to learning how all of the systems work, so hopefully I don't get lazy!

you should really do the tutorial flight, its just a small trip from heathrow to zurich, the flight takes less then 2 hours and you will learn how to handle most of the advanced aircraft systems... i would recommend you to print the less then 40 page tutorial to focus and enjoy :-) the flight.

you should really do the tutorial flight, its just a small trip from heathrow to zurich, the flight takes less then 2 hours and you will learn how to handle most of the advanced aircraft systems... i would recommend you to print the less then 40 page tutorial to focus and enjoy :-) the flight.

Yes I certainly plan to. Since I ordered the DVD version it came with the tutorial book so no need to print (lucky for me).

Yes I certainly plan to. Since I ordered the DVD version it came with the tutorial book so no need to print (lucky for me).

Well, I am trying just to tool around with this plane and it keeps taking over with the autothrottle. I don't understand why there is not a feature that allows me to turn this off. I am just trying to have some fun with this thing, and then I come in for a landing and we are going 300 kts no matter what I do.I appreciate the all of the features of this aircraft but it is sort of frustrating that I can't just do what I want with this. If I am missing something critical here then what can it be? Unfortunately, I just don't have the time to "master" this plane at the moment. Any other help would surely be appreciated.

Most folks here will go out of there way to help unless there's a perceived stubborness to use the tutorial and manuals.There is a A/T disconnect button. However, I recommend using the SPD setting to control speed for you until you have mastered flying by hand.

Most folks here will go out of there way to help unless there's a perceived stubborness to use the tutorial and manuals.There is a A/T disconnect button. However, I recommend using the SPD setting to control speed for you until you have mastered flying by hand.

Thanks Dan, i actually read the entire manual two nights ago, and then got about 1 hour into the tutorial tonight and my 5 year old son had a little bit of a melt down, so concentration is at a premium right now. Anyway, if I disconnect the autothrottle button before the flight, would that keep it from kicking in?

The mode annunciator along the top of the PFD should keep you informed on the status of the automatic flight controls, see aircraft systems manual starting on pg AUTO.30.26

Hey Pete,If you want a quick and easy way to keep the A/T off fly the P&W version and switch the FADECS (on the overhead panel) to ALTNRob

Hey Pete,If you want a quick and easy way to keep the A/T off fly the P&W version and switch the FADECS (on the overhead panel) to ALTNRob

Thanks, I will give that a shot. Incidentally, after I disconnected the two auto pilot buttons, i messed around with some poor flight mechanics and the ATS did not kick in. I am pretty good at flying "sloppy" and still keeping the speeds where they need to be. The only bad thing is that I have almost all of the really good addons and have not really mastered any of them due to time constraints and of course a bit of laziness.