In one of the few non-B73NGX posts in this sub-forum :)If I’m correct, the MD11 is a very much under-appreciated aircraft that came to market from a company that had many issues with its predecessor (DC10), and never fulfilled performance expectations (although I believe most of this was fixed through a program that MD put together to study the a/c performance, including the likes of NASA). It seems to be very automated (my only experience being the PMDG MD11), almost to the point of being “like an Airbus”. And it has found a second niche market with cargo haulers. Think what the economic would have been with an updated glass panel and two larger engines (vs. 3 smaller).The B744/748 is a thoroughbred, the usual designee of the term “jumbo” and a tried and true model, there are many still flying pax and cargo around today. I can’t speak for real pilots, but I feel at ease with flying this bird manually (no auto-pilot or auto-throttle). Much more so that the MD11.In just a few moments of thought, I can write twice as much about the MD11 as the B744. Both are superbly modeled by PMDG (the MD11 may be able to take advantage of later programming technology).When I want to “fly” a heavy, these 2 (and the LDS B763) always come to mind. I’m wondering how others see these 2 PMDG birds, and what your preferences are- both in the PMDG product, and the missions that the real a/c fly (if you’re into emulating r/w flying). The more I get into the MD11 systems, the more amazing this a/c gets. It’s almost years ahead of its time ….. Then again, there’s nothing quite like the “Queen”….Thanks- Bruce Knight

I have been flying the MD-11 for the past months since I bought it. I love it, its really fantastic. However, I have just started a flight from EGLL to VHHH in a Cathay 744. Something was beckoning me to take a flight in that beauty again. I have to say, its been a long time and I was struggling a bit to find all the right switches... On my way now though. Should be arriving in 10hrs and a bit. First I will go to sleep though. Its 01:06 in my part of the world. Great that FSX has the "P" button (not flying online).Looking forward to making short hops with the NGX when she comes out. These three aircraft will be the only ones I fly (currently the MD-11 and the 744/748 are the only two).Greetings to all!

Although the 747 is slightly more user friendly the MD-11 is a great plane to fly. It takes longer to get comfortable with it, especially if you're a Boeing guy, but you'll learn to master it eventually. I remember I got frustrated with the strange FMC in the beginning, but now I have no problems with it. While the 747 is like the nice easy going buddy who let's you do whatever you want, the MD-11 is more strict. It expects you to follow the correct procedures. It won't let you use the spoilers when the flaps are out, and some times it takes control over the throttle if you're doing something silly like flying at stall speeds. It also won't let you preview STARs, SIDs and waypoints before you confirm them like in the 747, it EXPECTS you to KNOW this already. There's a reason why she's called '######y Betty' right? : d If she could talk she would say something like: "Come prepared or get the hell outta here! I'm serious!" " Stop smiling young man, this is not funny you hear me!?" " OK, get out of the cockpit! " ;-)Anyway, they are two very different airplanes, and I spend an equal amount of time flying both. They're both great.

Just like you I prefer the systems on the MD11. I like to think of it as a hybrid between Boeing and Airbus. In my opinion it has the automation of Airbus (not to mention it also calls assumed temp FLEX) but the manual flying abilities of a Boeing. On top of that, it has the manual protections of Airbus. I'm talking about you flying to fast and the autoflight takes over, if you fly too slow the autothrottle takes over.Another thing I absolutely love about the MD11 (and B717 IRL) is the system displays. It shows so much more information which I like a lot. For example the break temperatures are actually shown as a temperature instead of an index. Also I've noticed that there isn't anyway to measure a standard rate turn in the B744. The MD11 has an index at the top of the ADI display. One item I really really like is the display box that shows you if you've forgotten anything prior to takeoff or landing on the bottom of the Engine Display.Above all else, the Auto Flight is so much cleaner than an MCP. I must admit at first I was starting to dislike the MD11. Manually programing a route in the FMS was a nightmare. You always had to pull out the heading knob to turn (unlike just turning the knob under heading select and the aircraft turns). There was no LNAV or VNAV that I had become such good friends with. But once I actually got used to the AutoFlight and explored its other features (like FPA instead of VS), I couldn't stand the old Boeing MCP's. The AutoFlight had fewer switches but it seemed like more funtionality. Even the FMS was starting to be...alright. (I still have some issues with it now and again though.)I do think the MD11 is under appreciated to a point. While 3 engines is more economical than 4, 2 is more economical than 3. The systems are great and I feel could be incorporated into future Boeing aircraft. The design is also very interesting in that the wings are further back along the fuselage than most designs. I've noticed that to be somewhat of a MD trademark as even the DC9, MD80/90, and B717 (which was supposed to be the MD95) also have wings further rearwards than most other aircraft of their size. Although I'm guessing all of that had to do with the fact that some of the engines weren't wing mounted.And before I forget, I've become accustom to hearing betty call out, "Autopilot" while on approach.

Thanks for the replies. Interesting topic. Regarding the wings being mounted more to the rear, this is to counteract the rearwards center of gravity created by having the weight of one or more engines in the aft of the aircraft ( the center of lift created by the wings needs to be relationary positioned to the center of gravity in any aircraft to achieve stability). The 727 was the same. I agree that it looks cool with that cantilevered foreword fuselage.I too have found that the md11 grows on you. I wish it had have been a bigger success, a complex topic from what I've read.Two very nice aircraft, both very well modeled by PMDG. I've purposefully left the Level D bird out of this comparison, but that's also well done.Thanks, Bruce.

And before I forget, I've become accustom to hearing betty call out, "Autopilot" while on approach.

Use a soft Autoflight disconnect and hit the button twice: once for the disconnect, a second time to tell it you meant to turn it off in the first place, and to shut up.

Use a soft Autoflight disconnect and hit the button twice: once for the disconnect, a second time to tell it you meant to turn it off in the first place, and to shut up.

I don't think an MD-11 Beta tester needs advice on how to turn off the autopilot. You hear the voice once even though you've pressed the button twice.

I don't think an MD-11 Beta tester needs advice on how to turn off the autopilot. You hear the voice once even though you've pressed the button twice.

I'm so glad you joined in on that interaction...You wouldn't think, but I figured I'd point it out just in case. Even if he does, someone passing by the post may not, and judging by some of the posts on the forum, it's a common issue.

The MD-11 would be my heavy of choice, except that when I bought it I wasn't even slightly interested in FSX so I only bought the FS9 version rather than the FS9/FSX combo. Same with the Queen. Now I have FSX looking quite pretty so that's where I want to fly. I still visit the MD and the Queen in FS9 from time to time, but my heavy of choice by default is the one that let me upgrade to the FSX version without buying the whole plane again, and it only has 2 engines.(Yes I know that PMDG's FSX and FS9 versions are completely separate products, and I respect their choices not to offer upgrade prices and never have sales, but that doesn't stop me wishing they'd allow us to pay the difference to get the combo pack further down the track instead of having to buy a top-end addon all over again ... fortunately it won't be an issue with the NGX :( )

For me, the queen is so forgiving and in practical load configurations is just plain fast. However, I have found the low speed characteristics of the MD11 much more challenging. As such, I tend to like that AC a little better as it stretches my capabilities. I still tend to smash it into the ground more than land it.

. Think what the economic would have been with an updated glass panel and two larger engines (vs. 3 smaller).

Actually this was looked at under the MD-X program and dismissed (by Mike Sears...) just before the merger.....

I don't think an MD-11 Beta tester needs advice on how to turn off the autopilot. You hear the voice once even though you've pressed the button twice.

What I mean is that when flying any other aircraft, I miss hearing betty call, "Autopilot" when I disconnect. Strange, I know. But it's better than an Airbus calling you a retard everytime you go to flare.:(

Both are superbly modeled by PMDG

Agreed!

Nothing like the Queen, well designed systems, and handles like a dream. Would be nice to get an updated virtual cockpit with better FPS, rain effects, and lighting fixes especially for the annoying dome light and texture flashing.-David Epstein

Great thread and im enjoying reading the posts. I am a huge fan of the MD11, it really is a great simulation. Never flown the 744 or the MD11 but I have thousands of hours on the 737NG and currently on the 777. Been an FS fan for over 15 years now and a huge fan of system simulations. The MD11 really is a great simulation and probably one of the most realistic simulations out there. I think the MD11 and the "Flythemaddog" MD82 are the two most realistic simulations ever made for FS. I am really looking forward to the new 737 and hoping the 2d panel will blow me away as i'm not a fan of 3d panels. I like that i can drag/expand and resize the MD11 panel to my satisfaction. I like a large 2d panel with big, crisp and smooth displays. Currently grounded with a torn achilles tendon, so I have a few months to tweak and perfect my hobby here in the "sand box". Keep up the good work PMDG (Just wish the J41 came with a 2d panel)!Chris