When during takeoff there appear letters on the speed tape that tell me at what speed to raise flaps etc. However just before landing there appear other letters on the tape in the same area I do not understand- SF,CE,F15. I presume F15 is telling me when to set flaps at 15,but what do the others signify? Carolyn D

Hi Carolyn!I think I either need glasses or you. I only know SE, GE, F15. ect.SE says reaches Slats extendet speed.GE says the landing gear speed is reached.It says that it is safe for the flaps, landing gear, ..., to be extended.Greetings Mandy Broschk

BTW, if you want to read some great documents that explain all these, check out:http://www.smartcockpit.com/plane/boeing/MD-11/ I've learned a lot by reading there and it's also amazing at how everything does match :)

Carolyn, you might want to read more about that in the included Boeing documents. The speed tape is covered well in the SYSTEMS document, page AUTO.30.16 to .19This should answer your questions, if not then just come back and ask. Regards,Markus

MB- My Systems manual goes only to 30.11 then jumps to 40.1- I dont have that section you mention maybe thats why after searching through the manuals I couldnt fine the ans- I also now note different additianal symbols that I had not seen before and not mentioned and also dont know what they mean.Maybe I just need to download a newer manual. Timmer-thats site looks great -will check it out-thanks\\ Since originally posting this response I have checked out the manual also shown on Timmers web site and that manual also only goes to the pages I refer to with the same section missing-It even refers to the manual as Md-11 Systems-flight controls-NEW- Are we talking about the MD-11 manuals or MB do you have a special set issued to you ???Carolyn D

Carolyn Look at this thread http://forum.avsim.n...-on-speed-bugs/ a few posts down there is a great explanation of it by Ephemeral.

Speedbird- after reading that whole series of back and forth comments between those two people all I can say is -ARE YOU KIDDING? That was a perfect excercise in how to completely confuse the ignorant.Hope neither of those guys ever have to WRITE a manual. I also get a chuckle when someone says READ THE MANUAL. From that site that Timmer recommended, I downloaded no fewer than TWENTY FIVE different PDF files that comprise THE MANUAL. My guess is that it will take me a WEEK to READ THE MANUAL. My guess also is that a First Officer couldnt read the manual if he were on a flight from Los Angeles to JFK. Hope they dont have to read the manual if they have a problem trying to lower the landing gear. Carolyn D

Carolyn -- don't get discouraged about all the manuals! The site I pointed you to has a lot of detailed information for the real thing. It's good night-time reading here and there but don't try to sit down and read it all :) I actually skimmed a few of the PDFs there and looked for a diagram of the speed tape but didn't see one so I think I skimmed too quickly otherwise I'd point you to the right file and page. That other link does have a listing partway down of the various markings and colors and their meanings but yes skip the rest -- just scroll down until you see a list. Finally, yes, there's a reason why type ratings in the real world are expensive! I hope they know everything *before* they take passengers up ;)

Hi, Carolyn. I just checked in the Manual coming with the download-version from the PMDG site (which is the one i have) and it is in there 30.16 to 30.19 I actually think, you are not reading it correct in terms of not you making the mistake or being whatsoever, but regarding stupid acrobat reader.See, when i first checked i clicked on the flight controls section, which endes at 30.16 and jumps to 40.1 as you explained. BUT: If you click on the upper "Aircraft Systems" link, you will be able to read it page by page. NOW you can easily scroll to 30.16 and there you will find your infos in question. I really hope i could help.It is there, but Acrobat reader is conceiling it from you. Greetings from germany, Mario.

Hi, Carolyn. I just checked in the Manual coming with the download-version from the PMDG site (which is the one i have) and it is in there 30.16 to 30.19 I actually think, you are not reading it correct in terms of not you making the mistake or being whatsoever, but regarding stupid acrobat reader.See, when i first checked i clicked on the flight controls section, which endes at 30.16 and jumps to 40.1 as you explained. BUT: If you click on the upper "Aircraft Systems" link, you will be able to read it page by page. NOW you can easily scroll to 30.16 and there you will find your infos in question. I really hope i could help.It is there, but Acrobat reader is conceiling it from you. Greetings from germany, Mario.

Yes this is true, Acrobat does a good job of hiding it which is why I get dismayed at times when people blast others about reading the manual. I have the same chunk missing as Carolyn does in the so called holistic view, so to find it I click Aircraft systemsAutomatic flightControls and displaysPFD airspeed display Then from there you scroll down and the bug information can be seen.

Speedbird- after reading that whole series of back and forth comments between those two people all I can say is -ARE YOU KIDDING? That was a perfect excercise in how to completely confuse the ignorant.Hope neither of those guys ever have to WRITE a manual. I also get a chuckle when someone says READ THE MANUAL. From that site that Timmer recommended, I downloaded no fewer than TWENTY FIVE different PDF files that comprise THE MANUAL. My guess is that it will take me a WEEK to READ THE MANUAL. My guess also is that a First Officer couldnt read the manual if he were on a flight from Los Angeles to JFK. Hope they dont have to read the manual if they have a problem trying to lower the landing gear. Carolyn D

Carolyn, I usually don't comment on postings like yours, but I found your statements funny enough that I'm going to break that rule for this time: Knowledge of an aircraft as complex as the MD-11 needs a good portion of practice - that's where you discover your questions - and patience in the attempts to find the respective answers to those questions. I for myself still keep on reading MD-11 manuals and various documentation stuff, even after all the years that the PMDG MD-11 is out, and I still find something there that I missed before. And I still encounter things happening during flight that I can answer only after research. Assuming that you can simply jump in any PMDG plane and start flying without reading the manuals thoroughly before is a safe way to end up in frustration, anger and resignation. If you're not committed to do a lot - and I mean a lot - of learning and studying, you're better off with a much less complex plane. Instead of complaining about the steep learning curve, you'd better deliberate whether you're willing to invest your time in studies or not. It's up to you to decide. The MD-11 is as complex as it is, if you like that or not, it's a simple fact and you can't change it anyhow. Either you learn, or you let it be and look for another hobby. None of your complaints here will change that fact. Important is the understanding of the plane as a whole, not only of its parts separated. You need to develop this comprehensive view over time, it's nothing you can expect to obtain after reading the manuals for one week! Please do yourself a favor and reconsider what you're ready to pour into that plane personally. If you're really dedicated to learn about the MD-11 then, you're welcome to this forum and I'd be glad to help you with my limited amount of knowledge about the MD-11 .