I am currently flying the MD11F with a TOGW of around 182000 kgs but I am getting a low rate of climb of only about 800 fpm. Is this normal? It has take me around 30-35 minutes to get to cruise alt of FL380 on what is only a two hour flight.Andy S

I am currently flying the MD11F with a TOGW of around 182000 kgs but I am getting a low rate of climb of only about 800 fpm. Is this normal? It has take me around 30-35 minutes to get to cruise alt of FL380 on what is only a two hour flight.Andy S

Hi Andy,It would help if you mentioned the SAT during climb as that is a big factor in climb performance.Your well below MTOW so thats not a factorRegards

What does SAT stand for?

The higher the Cost Index in the FMC the higher your cruise speed and shallower your ascent profile will be.

I think he means Standard Air Temperature.The hotter it is the less thrust is generated by our engines. Climb performance also is degraded by runways at high altitude.Is this from a FMC plan? What happens if you "Dial" in a climb from the AFDS Mode control panel?Regards.

I see. Well I departed Incheon and it was 6 with a dew point of -6.

The higher the Cost Index in the FMC the higher your cruise speed and shallower your ascent profile will be.

I had the cost index at 50. I have no idea what most cargo operators use for CI. Andy S

There is a post on this forum giving some examples of carrier's preferred CI.With a CI of 50 you should have no problems with a typical climb speed of 250kias <FL10 increasing to 350kias >FL10 with climb rates around 3000fpm decreasing to 1000fpm round about FL30 when heavy.I use CI100 which gives the above figures with a cruise speed of M 0.827.All figures approximate-from memory!

Mike I think based on what you say there is definitely something funny going on with my climb rate! 800fpm seems way to low and 35 minutes to get to FL380 is way too slow. Andy S

What about your wind speed and direction?

Are all three engines running? :(

Your temps of 6/-6 sound normal but is that from a wx report or from the simulation? Sometimes MSFS will have very wrong OAT (or SAT or TAT) temperatures and this is a common reason for poor performance. Look on the SD and check the temp, not the wx report.

Just been to East Fortune Museum of Flight today (near Edinburgh (Scotland!)) so that has rekindled my interest in FSX.Sad to see all the aircraft in various states of disrepair however it was nice to see inside a BA BAC 1-11 again (last time it was BCAL) and BOAC 707 front end (last time was United African Airways).Enjoyed getting up close and personal with a CF6 and RB211.Never flown on a Comet but it was nice to actually board a 4C model as operated by Dan-Air.Not forgetting a one on one exterior check and interior wander through British Airways Concorde G-BOAA - the first on the London - New York run.Getting back to matters at hand, I'll have a look see what numbers come up on the MD-11 and get back to you.

Did you press the profile button after takeoff? I had a similar occurence happen on a climb from EGLL, which had a SID maximum climb to 6000 ft after takeoff. I removed the 6000 ft constraint but the plane continued to climb at a slow 500-800 fpm climb up to 15000 ft, and then I noticed that profile mode was off...... once I reengaged profile mode the climb resumed at a normal pace.

Assuming you are not a total nube and are flying with an clean aircraft, what is your climb/cruise speed?Can you duplicate this behaviour?Have you completed the tutorial with regards to operational procedures?

I think he means Standard Air Temperature.Regards.

Hi David,SAT stands for static air temperature aka OAT (outside air temp.)cheers

I am currently flying the MD11F with a TOGW of around 182000 kgs but I am getting a low rate of climb of only about 800 fpm. Is this normal? It has take me around 30-35 minutes to get to cruise alt of FL380 on what is only a two hour flight.Andy S

Hi Andy,i would be much easier to help you, if you post large screenshots of your 2D panel situation in that situation, than quizzing around. (hope you found the solution meanwhile)cheers