Just to expand on what I asked earlier:

My Load Edit shows this: ZFW=380.5; ZFWCG=14.1; TOGW=549.0; TOCG=19.1

When I come to the FMC INIT page to enter this, I enter LSK 6R first (ZFWCG); then I left-click LSK 1R - in this case I then get a UFOB value of 121.2. I then enter the ZFW value (380.5) into LSK 3R (BLST IN ZFW). That then creates a TOGW value in LSK 2R - but that is never the same as it was in the load edit window. There it was 549.0. In the FMC it is 500.2. Finally I enter the TOCG value taken from the SD.

Why the discrepancy in TOGW? I am leaving the value as it appears in the FMC, rather than change it to the load edit value (I tried changing that value as well in earlier flights but it didn't seem to make a lot of difference in practice). The TOGW figure in the FMC is not in 'bold', heavy typeface though, like LSK 1R, 3R and 6R now are, which may indicate I have to do something else? The tutorial 1 pdf does not indicate anything needs to be done to LSK 2R or LSK 4R..

If the load manager shows ZFW 380.5 and TOGW 549 this implies fuel of 168.5

 

If your FMC shows UFOB of 121.2 then you have not loaded the fuel correctly.  Go to the PMDG menu and load the correct amount of fuel before setting up the FMC.

 

Note the load manager always gives a warning message that fuel is not applied to saved flights.

I always go to the PMDG menu and load the fuel (and set the panel state) and save it (yes, I know that the fuel setting is not saved in the aircraft.cfg, I see the warning every flight), and I set it afresh every time. If the fuel is not loading properly, that is not due to an error on my part.

 

Actually, you saying that reminds me - I have been noting something odd recently which may be causing my problems (though see below re. pitch). Even when I set the fuel to zero in the PMDG manager (and save the setting), the FS9 onscreen menu (Shift+Z) shows 20% fuel in the aircraft. Any idea how I could clear this? (I'll do some more tests on this tomorrow....)

 

As for the pitch, well, in spite of a possible fuel problem, I now wonder whether I am under the impression that I have an issue when actually I don't. I felt the a/c pull nose up again, as usual (it seems to happen at the exact moment I raise the gear), but this time I just left it alone to do whatever, and the a/c certainly followed the FD without much input from me. From the exterior the plane looks very nose-up, but maybe that is how it flies. Certainly nowhere near the stall I was expecting, though the speed did drop off for several seconds before it very slowly stabilised at about V2+10

I cant answer the 20% fuel question, that certainly seems very odd.

 

After rotation, you should maintain about 15degrees nose up until V2+10/20, then use pitch to maintain that speed until acceleration altitude. If you are achieving that then all is well.

I only get 15 degs nose up by intervening with the yoke and trim, as I say: otherwise it is quite a bit higher. I'll try leaving it alone again next flight and see what happens.

 

After two days the '20% fuel bug' has corrected itself somehow.... responding normally now

Martin,

 

One check you might make next time is to verify that the fuel and weight information that you have in the FMC agrees with what the aircraft is showing in FSX (Aircraft/Fuel and Payload).  Are you getting the "CG DISAGREE" message in the EICAS?  How does the CG readings you entered in the FMC compare the CG reading on the Fuel Page?

 

You never did say (at least I didn't see it) if you were flying the Flight Director when rotating?   The Flight Director will give you the correct deck angle and should be followed.  There is always going to be some trim adjustments as the aircraft accelerates.  

 

blaustern

Hi. Actually I checked that last thing last night and the fuel shown in the FMC agrees with the FS9 (not FSX) menu exactly.

 

I did mention the FD (post #33 above) but I am going to fly a few shorter flights later today and just let the aircraft do its thing and see what happens. There was no disaster when I did this yesterday, though the pitch is rather amazing (at least compared to say a b767 or whatever).

 

Will have to be in FS9 to answer the cfg question - I looked carefully yesterday and saw no issues, but I'll check again and post what's there.

 

verify that the fuel and weight information that you have in the FMC agrees with what the aircraft is showing in FSX (Aircraft/Fuel and Payload)

 

.. well, FS9, but whatever....

 

Yes, the UFOB value in the FMC and that in the FS9 menu agreed. But what I wasn't doing was making sure that I set the same figure in the Load Edit window. This flight I have made sure that the fuel entered in the Load Manager is the same as I choose in the PMDG menu/fuel. All the figures, everywhere now match.

 

So at take-off, although this a/c still gives me the impression of wanting to go too nose high (if I follow the FD, speed starts to drop off, but that may be correct - next time I have to check that I am in fact going no faster than V2_10 at that stage. Perhaps I am and that is why I get a nose-up attitude: I am trying to get the nose down when the a/c wants to remain nose high to cut the speed a little. Could be - as I say, I didn't actually get the figures this flight: next time I'll check that carefully.

 

On the whole then, I'd say this is sorted. Unless things go wrong on my next flight. Thanks for all the suggestions en route.

While you are still hand flying, the aircraft will not by itself adopt a nose high attitude to get your speed back to v2+10/20. What it will do is give you the FD cues on the PFD. On your next flight follow the FD cues as closely as you can.

While you are still hand flying, the aircraft will not by itself adopt a nose high attitude to get your speed back to v2+10/20

 

 No very true of course. I'll try a couple more flights, then maybe go back to the PMDG 737NGs for a day or two! Head starting to swim a bit!

 

The MD11 actually follows the FD quite closely when hand flying, with very little input from me...