Just a quick question....how similar are the avionics and systems of the MD-11 to the B717?

Just a quick question....how similar are the avionics and systems of the MD-11 to the B717?

This is from WikiThe 717 features a two-crew cockpit that incorporates six interchangeable liquid-crystal-display units and advanced Honeywell VIA 2000 computers. The cockpit design is called Advanced Common Flightdeck (ACF) and is shared with the MD-11. Flight deck features include an Electronic Instrument System, a dual Flight Management System, a Central Fault Display System, and Global Positioning System. Category IIIb automatic landing capability for bad-weather operations and Future Air Navigation Systems are available. The 717 shares the same type rating as the DC-9 such that FAA approved transition courses for DC-9 and analog MD-80 pilots can be completed in 11 days.^[24]In conjunction with Parker Hannifin, MPC Products of Skokie, Illinois designed a fly-by-wire technology mechanical control suite for the 717 flight deck. The modules replaced much cumbersome rigging that had occurred in previous DC-9/MD-80 aircraft. The Rolls-Royce BR715engines are completely controlled by an electronic engine system (FADEC — Full Authority Digital Engine Control) developed by BAE Systems, offering improved controllability and optimization over its predecessors.Like its DC-9/MD-80/MD-90 predecessors, the 717 has a 2+3 seating arrangement in coach, providing only one middle seat per row, whereas other single-aisle twin jets often have 3+3 arrangement with two middle seats per row. Unlike its predecessors, McDonnell Douglas decided not to offer the 717 with the boarding flexibility of aft airstairs, with the goal of maximizing fuel efficiency through the reduction and simplification of as much auxiliary equipment as possible.

That being the case, why doesn't PMDG make the B717? I am guessing the only differences would be the overhead panel and performance. I saw some other topics on this but no one really anwsered as to whether it would be a feasible venture.

It would be kinda cool, but I'm guessing it's a market issue. At least the MD-11 has a good following in the freight/cargo side of life. The 717 will probably just disappear once AirTran is fully absorbed into Southwest. Similarly, as much as I'd like one, I just don't see a lot of other people wanting one, which is primarily how they make their decisions.

Ahh ok...Well I thought about the demand issue but...how does that justify the 747LCF? I might be wrong but I doubt that the LCF is very popular.

It would be kinda cool, but I'm guessing it's a market issue. At least the MD-11 has a good following in the freight/cargo side of life. The 717 will probably just disappear once AirTran is fully absorbed into Southwest. Similarly, as much as I'd like one, I just don't see a lot of other people wanting one, which is primarily how they make their decisions.

I thought I read somewhere that Southwest was going to incorporate the 717 into their fleet? Is this not the case anymore? Anyways it would be nice to see, I'd buy it. But ya the guys that fly for strict VA's or only do real world flights would probably not dig it.

It seems that they would be about halfway there with the avionics used with the pmdg md11. I don't know if that would make it easier to develop. I see more 717s than md11s in my normal ops. There were 134 717s still flying and 181 md11s in service at the end of 2011. Would be nice to see this plane represented accurately in FSX. Developers are still producing vintage aircraft for fsx.

Don't quote me on any of this...I recall a post explaining why there were no plans for a B717. I think it basically said:

• PMDG didn't have access to enough information to accurately reproduce it.
• The systems are vastly different from the MD-11. The advanced common flightdeck portion is more or less skin deep.
• The MD-11 code would not be "easy" to convert.
• The market was likely too small to warrant the development costs.

I might be making the last two (or all of that) up; PMDG doesn't usually discuss business details like how well a product does...In regards to the B747LCF, that was simply an external model, internally (panel, systems, flight dynamics) you are still flying the B744.Personally; I would love a B717 from PMDG.-Bryant Martin

I thought I read somewhere that Southwest was going to incorporate the 717 into their fleet? Is this not the case anymore? Anyways it would be nice to see, I'd buy it. But ya the guys that fly for strict VA's or only do real world flights would probably not dig it.

I also read that Southwest was going to keep them, at least for awhile. 2017 is coming to mind, but I'm not positive why. I love the 717, and personally think that a PMDG 717 would sell. Hell, it would probably spark the 717 and carriers would start buying it, and bowing would be forced to reopen construction! Haha. The 717 does look really quite awesome in southwest's livery.

I thought I read somewhere that Southwest was going to incorporate the 717 into their fleet? Is this not the case anymore? Anyways it would be nice to see, I'd buy it. But ya the guys that fly for strict VA's or only do real world flights would probably not dig it.

I also read that Southwest was going to keep them, at least for awhile. 2017 is coming to mind, but I'm not positive why. I love the 717, and personally think that a PMDG 717 would sell. Hell, it would probably spark the 717 and carriers would start buying it, and bowing would be forced to reopen construction! Haha. The 717 does look really quite awesome in southwest's livery.

It would be nice. Alas, that's not the case in the end:http://blog.chron.co...-of-fuel-costs/As for the LCF, it was a model only, so it really took no effort to make or justify. A full aircraft to PMDG standards, on the other hand...

Another option is to sell the pmdg MD-11 avionics code to a 717 developer. You see this a lot with avionics in aviation. Back when I was flying KC-10s, Boeing offered the avionics from the 737NG. They took a KC-10 and added the NG avionics creating a new instrument panel and overhead. Sadly, the during flight tests, the avionics didn't fare well with analog input and the dc10 electrical system. The aircraft was plagued with avionic electrical failures. Boeing suggested a convert from analog to digital, and a electrical system upgrade. This drove up the cost and the air-force walked away. The test aircraft was returned to it's previous configuration. Boeing won the contract again in 2011. Even the G-5 has an option to upgrade to a 550 like avionics package. Would love to see this happen in the FSX world. There are some nice aircraft that are lacking in the avionics department. Developers could offer avionic upgrades for aircraft just as they do in the real world. I think PMDG would be a great avionics developer!!! They pay attention to detail with all of their products.

It would sell,maybe couple of dozen ; )