Been using the MD-11 for T&Gs at the (LatinVFR) MHTG Toncontin (great fun if not a little unrealistic).Just did something I haven't done before and, no doubt, extremely bad practice, BUT....My last approach was pretty bloody ugly and I went for a last second go-around in an incorrect an aggressive way... I just slammed the thottles forward & pulled up hard on the yoke (seems I've got some pretty sickly passengers now) :( Anyway, because the wheels did actually touch down (BAAAAAD), up came the spoilers! Ooops! Nearly a disaster.Seems to me that this scenario COULD happen?My main question... Should the spoilers have retracted when re advancing the throttles?Thanks

Not knowing the full logic that's going on behind the scenes, I'll defer the facts to the ones with the knowledge, but my assumption is yes, they should retract, depending on your setting. If you used the / key, you were, in effect, reaching down to the pedestal and putting them down by hand. If you armed the spoilers by pulling up on the handle, the deploy command was taken by the systems behind the scenes. If you set them by hand, the spoiler handle is mechanically notched into place and would have to be moved back by hand. If you armed them, the level was never moved out of its down detent, so it would not have to be moved by hand. Given the automation of the aircraft (if you violate a flap speed, it will automatically retract the flaps to the appropriate setting), however, armed or hand set, I'd imagine they would stow automatically.Again, I'm not sure how the logic is set behind the scenes, so I can't give a definitive answer. I can look at the manuals tonight to see if I can find something.I imagine you're asking because on the go around, they stayed up. My only other thought would be the go around button. Since the ATS should be on from takeoff to landing, you should use the GA button, and that should definitely have some logic in it to retract spoilers, otherwise, the automation was probably ridiculously confused as to what was going on. Computers are powerful, but they are nowhere near smart. If you act outside of their sandbox, unexpected things can happen. Pattern work is essentially a bunch of go around logic, so it shouldn't be too bad, but you have to follow its go around procedures for it to work correctly.

Not knowing the full logic that's going on behind the scenes, I'll defer the facts to the ones with the knowledge, but my assumption is yes, they should retract, depending on your setting. If you used the / key, you were, in effect, reaching down to the pedestal and putting them down by hand. If you armed the spoilers by pulling up on the handle, the deploy command was taken by the systems behind the scenes. If you set them by hand, the spoiler handle is mechanically notched into place and would have to be moved back by hand. If you armed them, the level was never moved out of its down detent, so it would not have to be moved by hand. Given the automation of the aircraft (if you violate a flap speed, it will automatically retract the flaps to the appropriate setting), however, armed or hand set, I'd imagine they would stow automatically.Again, I'm not sure how the logic is set behind the scenes, so I can't give a definitive answer. I can look at the manuals tonight to see if I can find something.I imagine you're asking because on the go around, they stayed up. My only other thought would be the go around button. Since the ATS should be on from takeoff to landing, you should use the GA button, and that should definitely have some logic in it to retract spoilers, otherwise, the automation was probably ridiculously confused as to what was going on. Computers are powerful, but they are nowhere near smart. If you act outside of their sandbox, unexpected things can happen. Pattern work is essentially a bunch of go around logic, so it shouldn't be too bad, but you have to follow its go around procedures for it to work correctly.

Ah yes, sorry. Should have been more specific... The spoilers had been armed, not just raised.Also, I was indeed flying WITHOUT ATS engaged. I love to hand fly this aircraft sometimes. She's just soooo smooth.While we're on this subject, can I please pick all your brains (again) regarding PMDG key commands and button presses. For some reason, this is something I have real problems getting my head around. Yes, I know it's apparently very simple, but then so am I :( I have the Saitek yoke & throttle and also FSUIPC registered. I wish to setup the for ATS disconnect for one button and AP disconnect for another. I keep trying, but still han't done it.Your patience and help much appreciated

I haven't mapped much to my sticks except a PTT, though the use of a program called Joker (JOystick Keystroke mappER), but that is only good for one or two mappings. What you're looking for is a broader, more customizable keystroke mapper, which if I remember correctly, your Saitek sticks should have come with a CD. That CD should contain software to enable mappings. Essentially from there, you map a button to press SHIFT+CTRL+1, and then assign your PMDG key commands to have SHIFT+CTRL+1 as the soft AP disconnect. Create another for the ATS, and you're set.

I do have the Saitek software, but it's 'naff' to be honest. From my understanding, I thought it was better to use FSUIPC to do the mapping?I just don't seem able to get the MD11 'key-command' settings to stick.

It's because Windows 7 and its wonderful UAC is not allowing them to "stick."Sorry for the self quote, but I've been writing this so much recently, I just saved the post location to save some time.

Thought so.You need to grant yourself admin rights to the Flight Sim X folder located on your hard drive.To do this, navigate to the Microsoft Games folder on your drive and:Right click on the Flight Simulator X folder:Select PropertiesSelect the Security tab at the topClick on the Users account in the Group boxIn the Permissions box, check the box Full ControlClick OKThe grants you (a User - Tron reference? :( ) and the programs you use in that folder admin rights to the folder. Essentially, what is happening is the computer is writing the changes (your key assignments) to a 'ghost' (Compatibility Files) folder, which the PMDG Options panel ignores the next time you run it. Using admin rights writes those changes to the actual file, not a file in a 'ghost' folder. As a quick note, if you have problems with any other program (especially when it comes to settings not saving, etc), you should grant admin rights to the program's location first before trying other things. UAC has its place in Windows, but it ends up being a bear if you don't know how to keep it in check.

Not so on my PC.The VERY first thing I do each time I reinstall Windows, I disable UAC.

Smart. If you don't want it, that's the time to do it. Beyond UAC, I can't think of anything that would invalidate your settings in the PMDG settings, but something is obviously scrubbing them after you're setting them.

Smart. If you don't want it, that's the time to do it. Beyond UAC, I can't think of anything that would invalidate your settings in the PMDG settings, but something is obviously scrubbing them after you're setting them.

Yes. This problem, combined with the other JS41 issue I'm having, suggests a problem with my setup, and not the addons. That, and the fact that I have EXACTLY the same issue with EZDOK, not retaining it's settings. That's why I haven't yet done a ticket to PMDG support.These issues are driving me to distraction though!