Actually there is....... MCE works very well with both the 737 and the MD-11. I know, I use MCE on both aircraft, and it makes both aircraft even more enjoyable (IMHO). I use with Radar Contact 4, too ...for quite a complete flight experience. Sometimes for a change of pace, I switch to VoxATC.

 

Can't wait for the T7, BTW. Amazing stuff PMDG does!

 

 

All best,

Ray Landolt (Blackbird)

Actually there is....... MCE works very well with both the 737 and the MD-11. I know, I use MCE on both aircraft, and it makes both aircraft even more enjoyable (IMHO). I use with Radar Contact 4, too ...for quite a complete flight experience. Sometimes for a change of pace, I switch to VoxATC.

 

Can't wait for the T7, BTW. Amazing stuff PMDG does!

 

 

All best,

Ray Landolt (Blackbird)

 

MCE as opposed to FS2Crew? Seems they do similar stuff. Is it better?

 

I can see it being useful on the 737ngx with a much larger workload, but there is so much auomation on the MD-11 I dont find it too difficult to be ahead of the aircraft as it were for single pilot operations. Obviously the real world is different.

 

Im just itching for the 777 and I was tempted to buy the pmdg 747 but put it off since V2 will be out in the very near future. Very exciting months ahead.

Hello, "Hightowers"...... I prefer MCE over FS2Crew - (don't get me wrong - FS2Crew is a wonderful product). I own both.

 

I prefer MCE because it not only "works the plane"......flipping switches, etc. but it also "communicates" with both Radar Contact 4 and VoxATC. So, I can do it all with one piece of software - using nothing but my voice!!!

 

Again - FS2Crew works very well - Kudos to Mr York on that groundbreaking software. But, you must buy a different FS2Crew for each plane you own.

 

MCE works with most all of the aircraft I regularly fly - again - totally by voice.

 

We have some WONDERFUL products from which to choose - a great time, indeed!!!!!

 

 

All best,

Ray Landolt (Blackbird)

In my opinion the NGX is the undisputed best jetliner add-on for FSX but it couldn't keep me from flying the MD11 simply because the 737 is not my favorite airplane (never was and probably never will). For some reason I love flying heavies, the 747 is my absolute favorite aircraft but that add-on having seriously aged, I am not playing it at the moment.

So I think that the only add-ons which will finally be able to surpass the MD11 for me will be both the T7 and 747 v2

Love the 737 NGX but i keep going back to the MD-11, mainly becasue i prefer long hauls for Fedex/KLM.

Gday Gents

I think from memory that the DC10 had all the problems eg the rear cargo door latches not engaging properly. The only accident with the MD11 that i can remember is the swiss air one, where the wiring for the newly installed enertainment systems overheated and caused a fire, not really a problem with the the aircraft itself. I also love the heavys, they just look so graceful when in the air, beautifull to watch, i havent got the MD11, but im going to remedy that today ( thanks to you buggers :rolleyes: ) Ive already got the 747 and am really looking forward to v2. Just the thought of a heavy at ngx quality is really exciting, anyway im of to get the MD11

Jeff

There is no doubt that the MD-11 is probably the most satisfying airplane to fly in FS. I still love flying it. All the other advanced aircraft I fly (PMDG, LVLD) all seem so easy and mundane after flying it.

 

Greg

Jeez, you guys are tough on my wallet ^_^ ! I'll echo Jeff's thoughts a couple of posts above. I'm flying the 737's at the moment, but primarily do cargo and am really looking forward to the Triple 7 when they release the F version, and even more so the 747-400F v2. I was going to wait for those, but like some of you I tend to love the heavies and have been looking at the MD-11 and wondering if it was getting long in the tooth or still right up there. Sounds like the latter. Now you've got me thinking... (and that usually gets expensive :wacko:). "Thanks" guys (actually, seriously, thanks - this is good info) :smile:

Jeez, you guys are tough on my wallet ^_^ ! I'll echo Jeff's thoughts a couple of posts above. I'm flying the 737's at the moment, but primarily do cargo and am really looking forward to the Triple 7 when they release the F version, and even more so the 747-400F v2. I was going to wait for those, but like some of you I tend to love the heavies and have been looking at the MD-11 and wondering if it was getting long in the tooth or still right up there. Sounds like the latter. Now you've got me thinking... (and that usually gets expensive :wacko:). "Thanks" guys (actually, seriously, thanks - this is good info) :smile:

 

I am like you, I prefer freight. Looking foward to the 777F and 747Fv2. As it stands right now, IMHO the MD-11F is simply the best long haul freighter simulation there is. The 747Fv1 probably second. The MD has sharper VC graphics, better night lighting than 747v1. The MD-11 is easier on my system than NGX...better frame rates for me. I still enjoy 747v1 from time to time and actually prefer the atmosphere of the Boeing tan cockpit, but the MD has some really cool systems...it is more 'Airbus'-ish systems wise, and has auto step climb feature, which is great for overnight trips.

 

The NGX is no doubt an awesome addon, but I find myself flying the MD-11F more. :)

 

Cheers

TJ

Ahh, you answered a question I was going to ask - frame rates (or more accurately, fluidity). Thanks TJ. I do very well with the NGX, so that removes any fears of the MD-11. Right now our company (which is restructuring itself) is the only one out there that I know of (other than the US Navy) using the 737-700C converted to a freighter. But as we grow, we'd like to get into longer and larger hauls. For me the 777-x00F and the 747-400F v2 will be no brainers, but this could fill a nice gap in between (presuming the 777 will come out around the end of 2012, but the freighter may be a few months after that). The only drawback for me is I prefer a continuity of systems. I'm sure the learning curve to the MD-11 would be steeper than to the 777 coming from the 737NG series. But, that's not necessarily that bad a thing.

 

Thanks for this TJ - this does help (not my bank account, my decision making :P )

I think from memory that the DC10 had all the problems eg the rear cargo door latches not engaging properly. The only accident with the MD11 that i can remember is the swiss air one, where the wiring for the newly installed enertainment systems overheated and caused a fire, not really a problem with the the aircraft itself.

 

Hi Jeff,

 

Been a couple of hard landings which have ended up with the bird on her back - there was footage of one Tokyo - always have similar characteristics, main gear separation on one side, then engine strike and this culminating in the failure of the wing and the aircraft ending up inverted - here's an pretty good summary of all the accidents and incidents involving the MD11: http://www.airlinesafety.com/faq/faq9.htm

 

Cheers,

 

Anthony

Hi Anthony,

 

Jeff listed one of the few losses of the aircraft and many lifes due to technical problems.

While the one in Kai Tak for example was just a pilot who didn't followed the clear restrictions of the plane. If you have a plane with a maximal sidewind komponent of 15 knots (or whatever it really is) and you land whilst it has 30 knots or more, you don't have to wonder if the plane doesn't likes that.

A similar thing for the loss of the Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 in Riad a few years ago. The captain didn't noticed the bounce and he didn't follow the right procedurce, which lead to the crash, where tankfully nobody lost his life.

There also has been a time, where nearly 10 years long no MD-11 has been written of, whilst before and after it some losses occured, but mostly due to pilot error.

I don't want to blame the pilots alone, as the MD-11 with it little wing area and a very high Vref isn't easy to handle, especially after you have many hours of a night flight behind you and you would better take a nap than to land a MD-11 in bad weather on a short runway.

 

Altough the MD-11 was never much prefered by passenger airlines, due to bad performance at the beginning, big cargo airlines have found interest in it. Whilst Lufthansa Cargo probably gonna sell theirs pretty soon, FedEx for example is upgrading their MD-11 with HUDs and bad weather optics (is it a FLIR? I don't know), which probably means that they won't retire them tomorrow.

The MD-11 isn't that bad, would MD survive the crisies they had and invest some further money, we would proably see more MD-11s flying today, and they maybe sold their 300 aircrafts as they planned. :wink:

 

Best regards,

 

Jonathan

Hi Anthony,

 

Jeff listed one of the few losses of the aircraft and many lifes due to technical problems.

While the one in Kai Tak for example was just a pilot who didn't followed the clear restrictions of the plane. If you have a plane with a maximal sidewind komponent of 15 knots (or whatever it really is) and you land whilst it has 30 knots or more, you don't have to wonder if the plane doesn't likes that.

A similar thing for the loss of the Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 in Riad a few years ago. The captain didn't noticed the bounce and he didn't follow the right procedurce, which lead to the crash, where tankfully nobody lost his life.

There also has been a time, where nearly 10 years long no MD-11 has been written of, whilst before and after it some losses occured, but mostly due to pilot error.

I don't want to blame the pilots alone, as the MD-11 with it little wing area and a very high Vref isn't easy to handle, especially after you have many hours of a night flight behind you and you would better take a nap than to land a MD-11 in bad weather on a short runway.

 

Altough the MD-11 was never much prefered by passenger airlines, due to bad performance at the beginning, big cargo airlines have found interest in it. Whilst Lufthansa Cargo probably gonna sell theirs pretty soon, FedEx for example is upgrading their MD-11 with HUDs and bad weather optics (is it a FLIR? I don't know), which probably means that they won't retire them tomorrow.

The MD-11 isn't that bad, would MD survive the crisies they had and invest some further money, we would proably see more MD-11s flying today, and they maybe sold their 300 aircrafts as they planned. :wink:

 

Best regards,

 

Jonathan

 

Hi John,

 

I hope it didn't come across that I was in any way bashing the aircraft, as this was not the intention at all - one could look at any airframe and take any number of incidents to make it sound as though the thing is a flying death-trap, I just thought he may be interested in the incidents involving the MD11 since its introduction into service. I've always had a soft spot for her though, always found the shape of the no 2 engine was always better looking on the L1011 though! :-P

 

Cheers,

 

Anthony

Hi Anthony,

 

Yeah, any airframe can be considered as a death trap if we pick out specific events or years or wathever. :wink:

I didn't wanted to say that you bashed the MD-11, I just tought I clear some things up and add a little bit to the conversation B)

And yes, the number 2 is just looking pretty epic :lol:

 

Best regards,

 

Jonathan

Gday Gents

I think from memory that the DC10 had all the problems eg the rear cargo door latches not engaging properly. The only accident with the MD11 that i can remember is the swiss air one, where the wiring for the newly installed enertainment systems overheated and caused a fire, not really a problem with the the aircraft itself. I also love the heavys, they just look so graceful when in the air, beautifull to watch, i havent got the MD11, but im going to remedy that today ( thanks to you buggers :rolleyes: ) Ive already got the 747 and am really looking forward to v2. Just the thought of a heavy at ngx quality is really exciting, anyway im of to get the MD11

Jeff

 

Interesting article: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/crashes/whats-wrong-with-the-md11