Greetings all,I was just about to practice takeoffs on the MD11, and noticed that when I load a scenario from the PMDG menu (usually "short ground turn"), the "TAKEOFF CLAMP" appears in the pilot display. This is before I program the FMC, and obviously prior to pressing "NAV/AUTOFLIGHT/PROF" Why would anything be displayed there before I even start the checklist?Many thanks

Try loading the saved flight on top of a default such as the trike.

Try loading the saved flight on top of a default such as the trike.

I just tried that. Nothing happened. Still shows "TAKEOFF CLAMP".

I don't know, Ron, I have had several saved flights cocked and ready for takeoff except for the FMS.

I don't know, Ron, I have had several saved flights cocked and ready for takeoff except for the FMS.

OK.....what's my next step? Hopefully, it's not "reinstall the aircraft". Gotta be another solution (hopefully)

Try creating a flight ready for takeoff using your own panel settings. I never use the "canned" panel files for a variety of reasons.

What exactly do you mean by "my own panel settings"? No matter what I do, "T.O. CLAMP" is displayed. I've tried loading every scenario, including the "long turn", where mostly everything is shut down and I have to start from scratch. How do I remove that indication from the pilot's display?

What exactly do you mean by "my own panel settings"? No matter what I do, "T.O. CLAMP" is displayed. I've tried loading every scenario, including the "long turn", where mostly everything is shut down and I have to start from scratch. How do I remove that indication from the pilot's display?

Ron,It's normal that this indication is there on the FMA, when the aircraft is electrically powered.If you insist on removing it, swich off the FD on the respective side.Regards,Harry

Ron,It's normal that this indication is there on the FMA, when the aircraft is electrically powered.If you insist on removing it, swich off the FD on the respective side.Regards,Harry

Well, guys....I think I finally have it figured out. My problem is that I was "thinking Boeing". as their instrumentation is a lot different. I'm not sure if I'm doing it totally correctly, but once on the r/w, I'm pressing F3 (unfortunately I have to use a keyboard.....no $$$ for yoke/throttle/rudders at this time) and once N1 is up to approx 60% I press AUTOFLIGHT, then F4, which pushes the throttles to max. I'm hearing the clicks and speed calls, and noticing things on the display like "T.O THRUST", etc. Once airborn, at approx 400ft, I'm pressing the AUTOFLIGHT button and I hear the "autoflight" announcement. Then, at 1500ft I press PROF. I wondered why the plane wasnt flying the RNAV correctly, as it seemed to be off course, and noticed that I forgot to arm the "NAV" button. Once I pressed that, the plane turned and followed the departure route as it was supposed to. Simply an amazing plane. Now, I only have something like 436,872 other things to learn!!

Well, guys....I think I finally have it figured out. My problem is that I was "thinking Boeing". as their instrumentation is a lot different. I'm not sure if I'm doing it totally correctly, but once on the r/w, I'm pressing F3 (unfortunately I have to use a keyboard.....no $$ for yoke/throttle/rudders at this time) and once N1 is up to approx 60% I press AUTOFLIGHT, then F4, which pushes the throttles to max. I'm hearing the clicks and speed calls, and noticing things on the display like "T.O THRUST", etc. Once airborn, at approx 400ft, I'm pressing the AUTOFLIGHT button and I hear the "autoflight" announcement. Then, at 1500ft I press PROF. I wondered why the plane wasnt flying the RNAV correctly, as it seemed to be off course, and noticed that I forgot to arm the "NAV" button. Once I pressed that, the plane turned and followed the departure route as it was supposed to. Simply an amazing plane. Now, I only have something like 436,872 other things to learn!!

Ron,If you have a boeing mentality PMDG has a good article on the PMDG OPS plane that compares the MD-11 systems to a boeings. It helped me.

Herehttp://ops.precisionmanuals.com/wiki/PMDG_...r_Boeing_pilots:)

Thanks, Daniel and Jay, for that link. I had seen it before but forgot about it. Helps a lot.