The Swiss Air livery has always fascinated me, as unique, with its (distinctive) white cross (known as the Swiss cross) on a red background, same as (and inspired by) the symbol on the national flag of Switzerland. The symbol rarely goes unnoticed around the airports. The (historic) symbolism of the white cross is rooted in the Swiss Federal Council of 1889 (with origin traced back to 1339), as a field sign of the "Old Confederacy". The original Swissair (airline) had served as the (proud) flag carrier of Switzerland, for more than seven decades. It's to be noted that the currently operational entity, called Swiss International Air Lines (or Swiss Air Lines), was partly inherited from the (original) swissair. The (new) Swiss Air Lines was born (31 March 2002) on the (same) day the original swissair ceased to exist. The new Airline has assumed Swissair's old and respected ICAO code (SWR), and, though, the classic "cross" logo has been also carried over, the lettered imprint on the fuselage, I see, is now (all capitalized) "SWISS" instead of the older (all lowercase) "swissair" (see my images below).

Now a bit about the aircraft/SIM of choice for this post. One of the most fascinating aspects of our hobby, speaking, personally, here, of course, is the diverse (and broad) spectrum of aircraft, we have a chance to learn about in our hobby. I find this fascination, especially true, in my case, having never been "near" a RW cockpit of an operating aircraft, either as Pilot or otherwise. And, trust me, seeing a Cockpit preserved in display, even if with utmost care, in Exhibits and Museums, is not the same...it does not have that feel of "life" to it...(I've had my share of experiences from such visits). It's true, RW Pilots often spend years with the same aircraft type. I have read accounts of Airline Pilots, who served for decades on a single aircraft type, and retired, too, from the same type, (e.g. DC9/MD80 and B747 come to mind). For me, as a simmer, in early FSX, i.e. naturally ages ago...🙂..., there was actually a period ~6 months, when I was flying "only" the B737NG (PMDG and iFly versions, alternately), 2-3 times a week "every" week,...I was, then, a stickler, too, for (virtual) airmanship and RW flight procedures. However, these days, assuming a freelance "hobbyist" role...with no pretense of being a Pilot...🙂..., I enjoy exposure to a variety of aircraft, available in our SIMs, (whether I'm actually flying that SIM or not)...So, last week, I was flying Milton Shupe's (freeware) 1930s' Spartan singleprop, and, today, I, felt the urge to fly, PMDG's (classic) MD-11 SIM, that of a most modern Trijet Airliner, at the other end of the (aircraft) spectrum, so to speak....

When I'd first seen this SIM, it had instantly appealed to me, and has, since, never let up, as something non-standard, among the Jetliner SIMs...e.g. neither like an A- nor a B-...🙂...or, should I say, maybe with bits of both....plus, it was the first SIM, and quite a remarkable (and complex) SIM, in its own right, for Desktop simulation, that had convinced me that flying jetliners in the virtual world, can be a novel and enthralling experience, capable of, at least, minutely mimicking the "real" thing, for the rest of us. Each time, in my SIM, this (virtual) plane lifts off the Runway, and the ambient sound, that I (virtually) hear, drops down, and, then I hear the (characteristic) voice announcement "AUTOFLIGHT" to indicate Autopilot/Autothrust engagement (in this SIM, per suggestion, one clicks/arms the MCP [ATOFLIGHT] button, once, on the ground, and, then clicks it again, after lift-off, passing 400ft radio altitude), it all feels so unique, and nothing like any other Jet SIM I own...! Those, who have flown this SIM before, and those who are still flying it, and, those who are eager to fly it (again)....I'm sure, would share my fascination with this Aircraft/SIM.

The Tutorial for this SIM states, "This flight takes you on a short trip from London Heathrow (EGLL) to Zurich, Switzerland (LSZH). This is the return leg of an early morning rotation done by Swissair for many years using the MD-11. Due to its short flight duration this rotation was considered the best way for pilot route training and line check flights. Youʼd very often find this flight to be operated by three pilots, one of them being the check captain in the third seat (see one of my [VC] images, below, with the third seat). Now we will use this flight for your training. So have a seat, and prepare to learn to fly the Douglas way...". What more can one ask from a Tutorial's realism for (our) SIM purpose? Plus, yes, the "Douglas" way especially sounded "inviting" to me, as opposed to Airbus way or Boeing way....🙂...And, I've found the Tutorial, easy to follow and ideally suited, for beginners, like I always consider myself...(btw, that (steam-gauge) Douglas DC-8 Jet, by nature of the beast, was another story...🙂...please refer to my earlier post, if you wish to...)...

So, here we go, the story of my Swissair MD-11, on another short flight, told in two Parts, with pictures, starting from a cold & dark start-up, on the tarmac of Malaga Airport (LEMG) to my touchdown into the ILS Rwy 10 of my destination Alicante (LEAL). The route tracks, first (right-bank after takeoff) to MGA (Malaga VOR), see ND, and then eastward across the southern edge of Spain, skirting the coastlines of the Alboran Sea, that (curious) westernmost portion of the Mediterranean Sea, between Iberian Peninsula and north of Africa (see SimBrief Map and other images). And, at the discretion of "yours truly" (virtual) Pilot, an impromptu diversion will be made, after reaching cruise altitude (FL290), bit north, towards the magnificent mountains of the Sierra Nevada (‘Snowy Mountain’) range of Southern Spain...

So, in this Part I, I've adjourned my flight after reaching FL290 cruise level (this flight is < 280 nms total)...

Hope you enjoy my account and these images, here, of the Classic MD-11, a plane that has pretty much already disappeared from RW skies, though, I read, LH has recently revived the use of these old giants, the MD-11F freighters, due to the (unexpected) cargo demands, necessitated by the virus. KLM was the one of the last operators, to fly the MD-11, in passenger service, and, my (only) MD-11 travel experience was also in the KLM, more than a decade ago, if I recall correctly.

In my Part II post, I'll share pictures of my (northward/un-planned) excursion over the (Spanish) "Sierra Nevada" mountains (btw, we have one "Sierra Nevada" too, around here, on the west coast), and, then the rest of the flight for arrival at Alicante.

Thanks for your interest...!! As always, happy flying with your own SIM(s)...!!

[PMDG(MD-11), MSE(Spain)]

Enjoyed your narrative and your barely-contained enthusiasm for all kinds of simming that is always threatening to "boil over" and send us all back out immediately (stop reading,that is) and resume our virtual flying.

John

It's good to see pics of this famous MD11!! I remember my last flight was in 2011 shortly before the release of the NGX. 

Another great series of photos...and story!

I remember having the boxed version of the PMDG MD-11...truthfully, I can't remember if that was FS9 or FSX...it seems so long ago. I do recall spending the majority of my time in the LDS767...sadly, the PMDG aircraft spent most of the time in the hangar. I recall the systems were much different than the Boeing I was comfortable with at the time.

In real life, I flew the Delta MD-11 many, many times between Cincinnati and Portland in the early 2000's. The wide body would continue on to Tokyo while I caught a puddle jumper (usually a Dash-8-100 or-300 series) up to Vancouver.

The MD-11 was a beautiful aircraft...large, quiet and comfortable. Too bad it had such a short passenger life.

 

Edited February 13, 20215 yr by rmeier

57 minutes ago, rmeier said:

I can't remember if that was FS9 or FSX...

 

It was FSX.

Fantastic! Thank you for the detailed story! 

As always a very interesting read and a cosy winter destination 🙂

I would have loved to "fly" that fine bird but never got my hands on it and have since kept away from second hand offers because of expected license problems.

oh how I miss flying this bird

John, Schwarzgruber, rmeier, Enrique, duesenwerni, HighTowers:

Thanks for the valuable comments and notes and feelings....!!

[John: The enthusiasm continues as long as it can...it was one such time, 10 years ago, when I was forced to take a 4 years break...🙂....hoping, this will be different, and, of course, this MD11 keeps coming to me if I don't touch it every few months...very hard to put off for long...a remarkable SIM for jetliner enthusiasts...(hope a new one comes out in future for all to enjoy...I looked into the TFDi website a bit today...they have, at least, started the journey,...had got their B717 recently, praiseworthy output for a first(?) product, they will do a good job, if anyone will..)...]

Late to the party on this one as I've been messing about with Train Simulator! My apologies for missing a tri-holer report!

Great set of shots of a much maligned aircraft (IMHO as an armchair pilot). So glad that it has become a very capable cargo hauler.

Much like duesenwerni, I too have avoided buying new, boxed copies of the PMDG MD-11 for fear of licence issues - well the main fear being that the plane wouldn't install or work! 

Thus I flew freeware examples for a while but was always disappointed with the VC or lack of. As you guys well know I took the plunge with Sky Simulations offering which, whilst being no PMDG, does offer a decent sim experience for me.

Off to read Part II of your report.