i am fairly new to fsx (2 years) compared with many users that have been flight simming for a long. I do not have any payware aircraft at this stage (using default with repaints). I love flying the jets and wonder if anyone could advise which is easier to learn out of the aircraft pmdg make and which of the aircraft is better on framerates when using addon scenery (orbx)Thanks for any responces

Hi. Please sign your full name as per forum rules. Ive started my pmdg "career" with the 747. Compare to the default planes its much more complex but not impossible to learn. She has a lot of autamated stuff like engine start. You can find lots of tutorials on youtube and I can strongly recommend to download the type rating lessons from pmdgs homepage.

If I'd be you i'd wait a few weeks until the PMDG 737 NGX comes out.Otherwise the MD11 is very good, though it isn't that easy to learn. But honestly, no PMDG Aircraft is!On the Frames the MD11 is better than the 747 I think, but I'm not sure.

I learned on the 747 as well. It was my first, and still is my only extra aircraft (not even freeware). So I can't compare to the MD11 but if you are willing to learn, the 747 is the plane for you.(Does this mean there is a consensus that the J41 is harder?)

I'd get the Angle of Attack Training course for whichever plane you get... Either will teach you how to fly the plane very well. The upside to getting the 747 though is that it familiarizes you with Boeing systems methodology, which you can use to fly basically any other Boeing designed jet addon. If you know the 747, the NGX and 777 are going to be easy to learn. There's really not much else like the MD-11 out there as far as sim addons - it's a great challenge and a lot of people have bought it for something different, but it is pretty unique - only the 717 and to some extent the retrofitted MD-10s share similar systems. The MCDU has some similarities to the Airbus but it's not exactly the same. I'd personally probably say go for the 747 at first, it'll open up a wider range of addons you'll be able to fly.

I still remember getting the original PMDG 737 for FS9. It was my first payware add-on, and I honestly never touched another default aircraft again. It literally transformed my experience in FS from a game to a 'proper' simulation, not to mention helping set me off on a career 'heading-adjustment' that has significantly improved my quality of life and job satisfaction!I agree with Ryan that the 747 will prepare you well for the forthcoming PMDG line-up. On the other hand, if you like the idea of learning two different approaches to airliner operation, I'd strongly push for the MD11. It is still the top-of-the-heap as far as airliner simulations go, (apart from a certain forthcoming 737, that is!)Be ready for a learning curve, but if you're prepared to do the homework where required, there's a bunch of us here who are happy to help out with any questions you have. Mastery of an aircraft of this complexity is immensely satisfying.I still love flying the MD11. Even after a few years and 600+ hours criss-crossing the European continent it still impresses me.

Whichever one you choose will be good IMHO.747 - Easy to learn on but harder on framerates and less tutorials about to get started.MD-11 - Easy to learn, better on framerates but better tutorials included - Non standard FMC compared to Boeing ones.737ngx - Will be tremendous in all respects but, of course, you will have to have patience as it is not released yet. (A real bone of contention to some LOL)If your pc is up to the mark then go for it - you DEFO will not be disappointed. It actually got me back into flight simming for good now, don't know if that is good or bad lol.As Ryan says flyaoamedia is a really good place to start.John Ellison

thankyou all for those replies, i will start with the 747 then go onto the md-11, and the 737 when released. Sorry for not having the name filled out as per forum rules, i have added now along with my system specs