Hey guys i just recently purchased the MD-11, and the only thing i'm having trouble figuring out is how to maintain a steady speed. The problem occurs as i start to climb up in altitude. As i start to ascend higher and higher, the auto throttle lowers the speed of the aircraft, not letting it get to the desired speed hold. I've even tried to play around with the Auto Thrust Limits, and i still cant find the problem. Surly this beautiful bird doesnt top out at 240 knots at 26000 ft!. Any help would be appreciated. Rob

I hate to do an RTFM to you, but there are a number of different authrottle modes and without knowing more about how you are set up, it is very hard to say what is wrong. One suggestion I would make though is to look at the autothrottle status (shown in the top left of the PFD) and then press the 'FMS SPD' button just below the speed control dial on the FMC and see what effect this has on the status.

I hate to do an RTFM to you, but there are a number of different authrottle modes and without knowing more about how you are set up, it is very hard to say what is wrong. One suggestion I would make though is to look at the autothrottle status (shown in the top left of the PFD) and then press the 'FMS SPD' button just below the speed control dial on the FMC and see what effect this has on the status.

I've done that and it has no effect, what are the different types of modes, and how do i get myself into and out of them? All i want to do is dial in a speed, pull the knob, and have the autothrottle hold that speed. For some reason though, the throttles dont go over a certain percent every time.

Your airspeed is more a function of pitch than power in a climb. A screen shot would be worth a lot of words.

Your airspeed is more a function of pitch than power in a climb. A screen shot would be worth a lot of words.

Well as i keep my climb at a steady 1800fpm. As i get higher in altitude should i lower that to about, say, 1000 or 1200 fpm?. Also what is the difference between CLB thrust and MCT?

Well as i keep my climb at a steady 1800fpm. As i get higher in altitude should i lower that to about, say, 1000 or 1200 fpm?. Also what is the difference between CLB thrust and MCT?

Rob, your last post suggests your trying to fly ths like a default aircraft. Read the documents that came in the package or at least do the tutorials, we all had to do the same, even those of us with heavy knowledge on the 747.Regarding the Thrust modes.CLB is Climb Thrust MCT is Max Continuous Thrust - In other words the max thrust the engines can produce continuously without any time limits and not get damaged from overheat etc. At this stage you dont need to worry about that unless in a engine out situation were you need the Maximum safe amount of thrust.The aircraft can produce more then MCT but if used for prolonged periods you are likely to cook the engines and turm into a heavy glider or at the least end up with a massive maintenance bill

Rob, your last post suggests your trying to fly ths like a default aircraft. Read the documents that came in the package or at least do the tutorials, we all had to do the same, even those of us with heavy knowledge on the 747.Regarding the Thrust modes.CLB is Climb Thrust MCT is Max Continuous Thrust - In other words the max thrust the engines can produce continuously without any time limits and not get damaged from overheat etc. At this stage you dont need to worry about that unless in a engine out situation were you need the Maximum safe amount of thrust.The aircraft can produce more then MCT but if used for prolonged periods you are likely to cook the engines and turm into a heavy glider or at the least end up with a massive maintenance bill

Ok i'll have to read more, i just dont see what more i can do in order to climb and maintain the speed i want

Ok i'll have to read more, i just dont see what more i can do in order to climb and maintain the speed i want

If you want the basics, as long as the FMC is set up correctly the aircraft can be flown in NAV and Profile, in theory you don't need to touch anything else for the whole flight unless you have ATC. The aircraftt is more automated then Boeing or Airbus when it comes to managed speed.The key to flying these heavily automated aircraft is to plan ahead and have everything setup during preflight, the only way to do this is to have a good understanding of the FMC and autopilot modes.

If you want the basics, as long as the FMC is set up correctly the aircraft should be flown in NAV and Profile, in theory you don't need to touch anything else for the whole flight unless you have ATC. The aircraftt is more automated then Boeing or Airbus when it comes to managed speed.

The FMC sets up the speeds on its own as long as you have flight plan dialed in, and also things like your takeoff flaps, outside temp, and wind direction correct? So basically its better to just use the Profile setting. That acts just as vnav correct. It tells the aircraft when to climb and speed up, and slow down, and descend?

The FMC sets up the speeds on its own as long as you have flight plan dialed in, and also things like your takeoff flaps, outside temp, and wind direction correct? So basically its better to just use the Profile setting. That acts just as vnav correct. It tells the aircraft when to climb and speed up, and slow down, and descend?

Exactly, but we are just talking about the sim here were life is simple and we dont have to worry about traffic, vectors from ATC etc while we learn. Profile will fly the optimum path for you as long as you feed the FMC the correct data as you stated above, then you can sit back relex and make sure it does what you want, and 99.9% of the time it will.The other modes are just as important at times but the mot efficient option for speed, climb, descent should be Profile as long as you are feeding the correct infomation to the FMC

Exactly, but we are just talking about the sim here were life is simple and we dont have to worry about traffic, vectors from ATC etc while we learn. Profile will fly the optimum path for you as long as you feed the FMC the correct data as you stated above, then you can sit back relex and make sure it does what you want, and 99.9% of the time it will.The other modes are just as important at times but the mot efficient option should be Profile as long as you are feeding the correct infomation to the FMC

I mean i do like to fly on Vatsim though, lets say after ATC has given me vectors and such, after they clear me direct to my next waypoint and resume own nav, can i still click on the Profile switch and will it resume with everything we stated above>?

I mean i do like to fly on Vatsim though, lets say after ATC has given me vectors and such, after they clear me direct to my next waypoint and resume own nav, can i still click on the Profile switch and will it resume with everything we stated above>?

Yes as long as you have updated the FMC with the new information, these machines are not meant to be flown solo so we are at a big disadvantage. Have a good read of the FMC section and practice the tutorials, trust me once you have it figured out it's very rewarding.Nearly all my flights are also on Vatsim, the workload can get pretty high even when you have experiance on these aircraft so it's not the best environment to be learning something new.

Yes as long as you have updated the FMC with the new information, these machines are not meant to be flown solo so we are at a big disadvantage. Have a good read of the FMC section and practice the tutorials, trust me once you have it figured out it's very rewarding.Nearly all my flights are also on Vatsim, the workload can get pretty high even when you have experiance on these aircraft so it's not the best environment to be learning something new.

ok last question, where can i find these manuals to read up on the MD-11. I looked in the folder that i used to download it with, and theres nothing there. Where can i find it!?

ok last question, where can i find these manuals to read up on the MD-11. I looked in the folder that i used to download it with, and theres nothing there. Where can i find it!?

Sorry cant help you there, I'm 5000 km away from my home PC right now, it's in the root PMDG folder, just browse to your flightsim folder and have a look around or do a search for MD11 in windows, they are PDF files.Regards

Sorry cant help you there, I'm 5000 km away from my home PC right now, it's in the root PMDG folder, just browse to your flightsim folder and have a look around or do a search for MD11 in windows, they are PDF files.Regards

ok i'll search around for it. Sir i'd just like to sincerely thank you for your help tonight i really appreciate it. Have yourself a good one.Rob