February 15, 201412 yr I can afford another PMDG Aircraft. I have the 600/700/800/900 NGX and 3 or 4 others I must re-activate before installing. I'd like to get your opinion: The MD 11 first or the 777? These aircraft are a learning curve so whichever one I choose, I'll be on for a few months. Interested in hearing from you. Jon Shearer
February 16, 201412 yr To shorten your learning time I would go with the 777. They are both Boeings and have essentially the same FMC. They are different but not as different as the MD-11 with its odd FMS. I fly both of them equally but if you are going to pick one I would take the 777. Michael Cubine Michael Cubine
February 16, 201412 yr The MD11 autopilot will be easier to learn - if you're used to Fokker aircraft (70/100) already!!! :lol: Seriously, the T7 is closer to the NG, but the MD11 has 2D panels, a smaller VAS footprint and may be easier on fps. The T7 needs a few issues to be resolved by an upcoming servicepack and there is no SDK yet, while for the MD11 "4th party addons" are available already: MCE interface, FS2Crew edition, etc. What happened to AVSIM
February 17, 201412 yr Author I ended up with the MD11 and I'm pleased I purchased it first. The MD11 is a classic and a little bit retro and I like that. I'll be getting the 777 once I've mastered the MD11. As for the AP and auto throttle arrangement on the MD11: I find it quite different and suspect the MD11 was ahead of its time, technologically. Now for some long haul. Jon
February 17, 201412 yr I ended up with the MD11 and I'm pleased I purchased it first. The MD11 is a classic and a little bit retro and I like that. I'll be getting the 777 once I've mastered the MD11. As for the AP and auto throttle arrangement on the MD11: I find it quite different and suspect the MD11 was ahead of its time, technologically. Now for some long haul. Jon It is probably better for you as the 777 is so much better that if you get it first, everything seems mediocre by comparison, apart from maybe the NGX. It would have spoiled the MD11 for you. I tried a mates' MD11, and was, well impressed but felt it was dated. Wes Meyer
February 18, 201412 yr Author It is probably better for you as the 777 is so much better that if you get it first, everything seems mediocre by comparison, apart from maybe the NGX. It would have spoiled the MD11 for you. I tried a mates' MD11, and was, well impressed but felt it was dated. I have the NGX as well. I also have FS9 PMDG stuff too. In fact, moving from the B1900 all the way to the 777, it's like charting the company's success to the present day through innovation and improvements to the way things are done. The experience and knowledge in PMDG must be immense by now. Jon
February 18, 201412 yr Author and may be easier on fps. heh...my new computer doesn't seem to get puffed. Jon
February 19, 201412 yr Get the MD-11 first. It's very different from Boeing philosophy. Variety is always good. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
February 21, 201412 yr I'd highly recommend the 777. IMHO, it is by far the best simulation of a heavy out there for the FSX platform, and with SP1 just around the corner, it will only get better. Regards. CPL/MEIR
February 21, 201412 yr Author 747v2 I'm with you on this. I've liked the Queen since fs9. She has so much elegance and grace. My FSX copy of v1 is waiting to have the finger of the PMDG God, once again, laid upon her brow. I must now go with all my information, blood type etc to PMDG and re-install her. That aircraft's got soul. Jon
February 21, 201412 yr Author Get the MD-11 first. It's very different from Boeing philosophy. Variety is always good. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I'd highly recommend the 777. IMHO, it is by far the best simulation of a heavy out there for the FSX platform, and with SP1 just around the corner, it will only get better. Regards. I went the MD11, first up because, as I previously said, it's a little bit retro and once Douglas worked out why the DC10 kept blowing cargo doors off, it became a very reliable design. I remember reading one of the old school pilot's glowing reports of how well balanced she was. I wouldn't be surprised if it was here on part of Avsim. Thanks for your advice. The 777 will be in my PMDG stable very soon. Jon To shorten your learning time I would go with the 777. They are both Boeings and have essentially the same FMC. They are different but not as different as the MD-11 with its odd FMS. I fly both of them equally but if you are going to pick one I would take the 777. Michael Cubine Yes but my understanding is that the MD11 was the improved Boeing version of the DC10. Boeing took Douglas over some time then and the new division needed a revenue stream. Thus the MD11. I must find out what the actual differences were. Jon - The MD11 has superior range to the DC10 - The MD11 holds more passengers than the DC10 - The MD11 has winglets, the DC10 doesn't - The MD11 was introduced many years later than the DC10 - The MD11 features a EFIS flightdeck, the DC10 doesn't - The MD11 needs 2 flight deck crews, the DC10 needs 3 - The MD11 is a 5.71m (18ft 9in) stretch compared to the DC10 - The MD11 has a modified tail with less sweepback than the DC10 - The MD11 features newer engine options from both GE and PW - The MD11 was faster than the DC10. - The MD11 featured a new cabin than the DC10 Interesting. Let's all start bleating and whining to PMDG for a DC10 cockpit for the MD11. :rolleyes: Jon
February 21, 201412 yr Yes but my understanding is that the MD11 was the improved Boeing version of the DC10. Boeing took Douglas over some time then and the new division needed a revenue stream. Thus the MD11. I must find out what the actual differences were. The MD-11 was a McDonnell Douglas new technology development of the original DC-10. It was in service long before Boeing took McDD over. Two key differences you missed in your list are: The MD-11 had an autostabilisation system, LSAS, which provides pitch attitude stabilisation and some flight envelope protection. It had a CG control system with an additional tail fuel tank which had fuel pumped to it after takeoff to provide a more efficient aft CG. The tail fuel was pumped forwards again during descent. These two changes allowed a smaller horizontal stabiliser to be used and therefore less drag than a conventional aircraft. It did make it a tricky beast to land though as LSAS is disengaged automatically at less than 100 ft RA. It's all well described in the PMDG Systems Manual, but this MD-11 website gives quite a lot of excellent background material.
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