The MD11 always seems to do a step climb 1000' above opt altitude. Is this normal?On a flight from EDDF to KLAX I entered 300/320/340/360/380 on the F-PLN INIT page as CRZ LEVELS. The last climb was to FL380 about 30 minutes ago. The ECON CRZ page indicated the Opt Altitude as FL 370. About 5 minutes ago it changed to FL375 still below the FL380 step climb comanded by the MCDU and FMS. Again, is this normal?Thank youMichael Cubine

The optimum is the level where you will have the lowest fuel burn and flight will be the most efficiant. The step climb levels you have enters into the MCDU are set by the pilot and won't relate to the opt. The only time they would match is if the opt matched the step flight level you set on the INIT page. Unfortunately you won't often fly at optimum as ATC and route ristrictions take priority.

it's normal. you'll never be AT opt alt unless you're Concorde. the theory is that you climb 1000ft above opt alt, burn fuel until you're 1000 below opt, then climb to 1000 above your opt.paul