I want to thank everyone for your input, it's been very helpful so far!I have one other question... are any of these lovely developers known for holiday-season sales? I might want to hold off a few weeks :D

Got 40 bucks. Take a long hard look at the feelThere E-Jets v.2 Embraer 175 and 195. I think it will do everything you are asking, except no cargo version. But, you could always paint over the windows. Got to be v.2 though.What you might like about it . . . . Native FSX add-onAudio callouts and flight attendant messages Full right seat capability Turbine Sound Studios turbofan package VC cockpit textures, super sharp glass instrumentsCockpit sounds, clicks, dings, dongs, hums, startup sounds 2d cockpit, widescreen panel, pop-ups Honeywell Primus 1000 navigation/avionics system simulation MCDU depth and detail, SIDS, STARS, WHAT Ifs, etc.Weather radar, vertical mode presentation, TCAS (traffic) Heads Up Display, w/ runway alignment depiction Speed and Altitude tapes, use of color and graphics for Vspeeds, flaps, etc. Full Autoland capability, CATI and CATII approaches Comes with a detailed, tutorial flight Navigational data can be updated free at the feelThere site RayThat is a lot of addon for $40.00Last year, CaptSim had their crazy, everything in the house is 9.99 euros sale just about mid December - it is for 24 hours only - got to be the best deal in town if you are looking for something in their inventory. Its not crystal clear, but it sounds like they may exclude the 707. Heck, if they keep lowering the price, it won't matter.

Got 40 bucks.  Take a long hard look at the feelThere E-Jets v.2 Embraer 175 and 195.  I think it will do everything you are asking, except no cargo version.  But, you could always paint over the windows. Got to be v.2 though.What you might like about it . . . . Native FSX add-onAudio callouts and flight attendant messages Full right seat capability Turbine Sound Studios turbofan package VC cockpit textures, super sharp glass instrumentsCockpit sounds, clicks, dings, dongs, hums, startup sounds 2d cockpit, widescreen panel, pop-ups Honeywell Primus 1000 navigation/avionics system simulation MCDU depth and detail, SIDS, STARS, WHAT Ifs, etc.Weather radar, vertical mode presentation, TCAS (traffic) Heads Up Display, w/ runway alignment depiction Speed and Altitude tapes, use of color and graphics for Vspeeds, flaps, etc. Full Autoland capability, CATI and CATII approaches Comes with a detailed, tutorial flight Navigational data can be updated free at the feelThere site RayThat is a lot of addon for $40.00Last year, CaptSim had their crazy, everything in the house is 9.99 euros sale just about mid December - it is for 24 hours only - got to be the best deal in town if you are looking for something in their inventory.  Its not crystal clear, but it sounds like they may exclude the 707.  Heck, if they keep lowering the price, it won't matter.

I agree ... the feelthere v2 would be a good choice for what you are looking for .....

I want to thank everyone for your input, it's been very helpful so far!I have one other question... are any of these lovely developers known for holiday-season sales? I might want to hold off a few weeks :D

Captain Sim last year had an amazing holiday sale. Whether or not they are going to do it this year, I don't know. As for the other developers, I'm not sure if they have holiday sales...I believe PMDG doesn't, but don't quote me on that.As for recommendations, if you are really really new to large jets, get the Aerosoft Airbus X. It is a very light plane from what I've heard. However, if you are relatively comfortable with large jets, I'd recommend the Captain Sim 757. It's far from light, but it's not as complex as say, PMDG's offerings. But be aware though that Captain Sim's aircraft are not FPS friendly at all. You'll need a relatively strong computer. Finally, when you are ready for more complex add-ons, I'd get the PMDG MD-11. Best heavy simulation I've seen so far. You can also wait for the upcoming PMDG NGX. That looks amazing so far. Check it out on their forums.

I want to thank everyone for your input, it's been very helpful so far!I have one other question... are any of these lovely developers known for holiday-season sales? I might want to hold off a few weeks :D

Looks like the sales have started. Should you decide on the recommended MD-11x you can find it at JRMusic for $49.99 (-$20-$25) with free shipping. And if you make a quick decision for the MD-11 you can pick up the matching FS2Crew for 1/ 2 off for the next couple of days at their site. Discount code is BLACKFRIDAY - worth a savings of $13.55I got used to the virtual co-pilot and verbal checklist with the feelThere Embrarer 175 v.2 so I would recommend you pick up the FS2Crew if you choose the MD-11x.If you decide on the Embraer 175/195 v.2 package then the Virtual First Officer and verbal checklist are included in the $39.95.Ray

Looks like the sales have started. Should you decide on the recommended MD-11x you can find it at JRMusic for $49.99 (-$20-$25) with free shipping. And if you make a quick decision for the MD-11 you can pick up the matching FS2Crew for 1/ 2 off for the next couple of days at their site. Discount code is BLACKFRIDAY - worth a savings of $13.55I got used to the virtual co-pilot and verbal checklist with the feelThere Embrarer 175 v.2 so I would recommend you pick up the FS2Crew if you choose the MD-11x.If you decide on the Embraer 175/195 v.2 package then the Virtual First Officer and verbal checklist are included in the $39.95.Ray

Awesome Ray, thanks a ton for that JRMusic info! I think I'll just have to pick it up :D Too bad it's not the download version, lol.

I'm obviously biased here :( but I do want to mention that if you got our 747-400, there's also a pretty amazing training course available for it from Angle of Attack. You'll be into complex addons real fast if you get the 400X with the training course.

I just picked up the MD-11X! :) Hopefully it won't take too long to get here... For anyone who has the retail box version, is the printed manual pretty nice?

Yes, manual(s) is superb, top shelf. You can 't go wrong. You are going to love the MD11, I cannot get enough of it. Have fun

The initiator of this topis asked for a complex (cargo) aircraft for his brand new PC! PRO:PMDG MD11: complex, cargo and 1100 pages manual. PMDG B747: complex, cargo and more than 500 pages manual (I forgot the exact amount of pages).These aircraft are super stable and non tweaking bug free software products!Captain Sim B757: complex, cargo, good manuals, some minor buggs in it but once you have fixed those you will have a good stable running aircraft. Most advanced users prefer the CS 757 instead off the QW 757.CONTRA:WILCO PIC737: is old programming for Fs9 with detoriated looking panels.They call it "compatible FSX" not my peace a cake for a modern pc.CLS 747-200/300: Old programming and some very inconvenient bugs. You need a reinstall off the whole package from time to time.Captain Sim 727: old clocks, fantastic, not realy a long hauler and not the best choice if you would like to learn more about today's navigation systems.Captain Sim C130: Great but more an outsider for the thing you want. Its mostly military and this Herc has old steam gauges while today's C130's have modern avionics with ECAM, FMC, CDU,...Level D B767: Its a great plane for flightsim but the panel quality has passed its time.Simcheck A300: Is a good choice but the external view lacks a bit. Not what I want to see if I bought I new rig today.If you fly online on a network like IVAO or VATSIM than I advice you to choose for an aircraft with modern FMC above the old clock systems because sometimes you will get a "direct too" intersection and than you are lost with on old VOR or NDB needle.Now, about people saying here its a must flying heavy's for more than 6 or 8 hours..Well, thats crapp!Is a simpilot you fly where ever you wanna go. Even in Europe the heavy's fly short haul cargo flights to answer urgent demands off goods for the industry.

Smoky,To be fair to the level D, it is getting a make over and due for release any day, also Andre's panel update gives the lvld7673 a new lease of life. Still a wonderful bird to fly, and will prpbably out live me .

Kia Ora, I have pm'd you.

for those who have the md11 can you tell me a bit more about it?I too am interested in this bird to use as my main cargo hauler, instead of the 727 in my VAare we talking auto throttle? or manual throttle, cdu/fmc? or ?? is it takeoff hit ap then do nothing until take ap off then land? or is it more hands on?thanksbs

for those who have the md11 can you tell me a bit more about it?I too am interested in this bird to use as my main cargo hauler, instead of the 727 in my VAare we talking auto throttle? or manual throttle, cdu/fmc? or ?? is it takeoff hit ap then do nothing until take ap off then land? or is it more hands on?thanksbs

I use it in my VA as the primary cargo hauler. The PMDG MD-11 is a comprehensive, in-depth simulator that includes just about all of the systems the real one has, including autothrottle, FMC, etc. You can view a complete description here: PMDG MD-11The aircraft features a high degree of automation, just like the real one, but one can turn some of that off, although I'm not sure why one would, except for the climb to acceleration altitude and the last 3-5 nm of the approach. Check out the MD-11 support forum here at AVSIM for other's impressions.

The MD-11 is (as you probably know) a modernised DC-10. It has what Boeing call the Advanced Common Flightdeck concept, which the similarly souped up Boeing 717 has as well, both aircraft effectively having had the 21st Century shoehorned into them. Thus it is a modern airliner with a glass cockpit capable of fully automated flight and autoland, but with some legacies of having been made from an older aircraft design.As far as how it flies is concerned, it's kind of halfway between a typical modern Boeing and an Airbus, in that it features some flight envelope protection, but not to the extent of how Airbus do it. The toughest thing about learning it is that the terminology for the MD-11's systems differs from Boeing and Airbus terminology, so that can throw you a bit, but the systems are largely the same as far as what they can do.Here is PMDG's explanation of how it differs from other aircraft: http://support.precisionmanuals.com/KB/a18/tips-for-boeing-pilots-learning-the-md-11.aspxAl

thanks, that will lead me into the direction I need to go

The PMDG MD 11 is awsome if your after a largeish aircraft thats not too hard to learn (it will require learning though eheh) but it has alot of depth also. It is a little on the expensive side atm. Nearly £50 when I got it but its well worth it and if you get FSCREW for it then It will work seemlessly and the copilot will help you out with remebering the checklists.The MD11 also has the best FPS of any addon I have used including the PMDG747/Maddog from Leonardo/PIC767. Im patiantly waiting for the 737NGX though. I will be putting the MD11 into storage when the NGX comes as its going to be utterly awsome on a whole new level.If I had to choose from the MD11 or waiting a little for the NGX I would wait. But then you did say you where after a big aircraft so the MD11 it is.