I did read a lot about the ZFWCG in this forum. Some say, that it doesn't go out of range in real MD-11s, but it does here. Now, I don't know what's right and what wrong. But in the current situation. Is there a way to fly an empty PMDG MD-11 or not? I found out, that the CG shown in the flight display is moving forward, if I fill the aux tank. But with an empty (that means, no pax, no cargo) plane, I can't enter the ZFWCG in the FMS... what should I do? ... load some sand into the forward payload bay? ... to me it seems to be a bit strange...

I did read a lot about the ZFWCG in this forum. Some say, that it doesn't go out of range in real MD-11s, but it does here. Now, I don't know what's right and what wrong. But in the current situation. Is there a way to fly an empty PMDG MD-11 or not? I found out, that the CG shown in the flight display is moving forward, if I fill the aux tank. But with an empty (that means, no pax, no cargo) plane, I can't enter the ZFWCG in the FMS... what should I do? ... load some sand into the forward payload bay? ... to me it seems to be a bit strange...

Rudolf,if you want to fly the MD-11 completely empty, you NEED to have some balast fuel. Same on the real aircraft.Regards,Markus

if you want to fly the MD-11 completely empty, you NEED to have some balast fuel. Same on the real aircraft.

Ok, so then the first point is clear...and how can I calculate the ZFWCG with balast fuel? ... the load manager doesn't do that for me... does the FMS do it? (right click on the ZFWCG button??)

I can't speak for the PMDG bird, but our company SOP with 11s was 40klbs in the upper aux at all times, and let the flight crew move it after the load is complete. An empty airplane with no ballast fuel is WAAAAAAY tail heavy. Unloading the forward belly wasn't allowed till we were pumping ballast fuel, either.Despite all our precautions, we still put one on it's tail in Dubai when the ramp rats ignored the mechanic and loadmaster, and unloaded the forward belly first. Language barriers FTL.

I can't speak for the PMDG bird, but our company SOP with 11s was 40klbs in the upper aux at all times, and let the flight crew move it after the load is complete. An empty airplane with no ballast fuel is WAAAAAAY tail heavy. Unloading the forward belly wasn't allowed till we were pumping ballast fuel, either.Despite all our precautions, we still put one on it's tail in Dubai when the ramp rats ignored the mechanic and loadmaster, and unloaded the forward belly first. Language barriers FTL.

thanks for this info... I'm flying her with around 15000 kgs in the upper aux now and it works fine (without pax/cargo)