if possible i would like to hear more about performance from folks that have tried it, does someone with an older machine (such as 2.1 duo, 8800gt) who has flown it have a comparison? i loved the pmdg 747 when i first got it, that is where i first learned about FMS flying and real systems like hydraulics and apus and stuff.. but basically haven't flown it as much after i got the LDS because the systems complexity was similar, but coupled with around a 10fps hit on the 747, with 767 i didn't have to totally turn down water or traffic to maintain 20+ ... the guys in the other thread that are keen on it have like a 4.45 and 3.6 cpus so it's hard to compare their numbers against what i might expect.either way it looks cool, while i agree that the choice of aircraft maybe seems kind of retro i like the idea that it is a different fundamental model of avionics... that is very interesting and learning new systems like that is part of what makes these operationally detailed aircraft appealing imho.cheers,-andy crosby

Andy,I have said this repeatedly in other threads. I will say it again here:I have AXP2600+, Radeon X800XT and with lowish FSX settings I can run her at 25-30FPS in 2D.And it's smooooth. :)Tero

FTD1949,You wrote: "I wish someone would consider an aircraft simulator for the very hardcore at a reasonable price point... You don't need a 3D model that will fly in FS period. You can put a cockpit and systems in a brick and it will fly just fine."The eye candy is needed because that's what the majority of the market want, resulting in more sales (lower price point). You can find product titles for Flight Simulator today that only include the simulation of aircraft systems, at a significantly higher price point to due to the niche market they target.

Hi - I couldn't locate the tutorial...pls where is it??

I have the PMDG744, the LDS767 and now the MD11.I would suggest the MD11 is considerably more FR friendly than either of the other two.Also, I often experience 'stutters' and 'blurries' etc - lots with the LDS767, less with the PMDG744, but almost NONE with the MD11.I also have the PSS777 and, would have to agree that, in many areas, the MD11 is considerable more advanced and automated.Yes, it's pricey, but come on, so the hardware we run it on.

I concur with your observations. Just took the plunge and survived my first short flight. Will report back when I get some time with it.So far no frame rate problems. With this aircraft I set it at unlimited for first flight. Well above 25 in VC at KROA Rwy 24. Crisp clean gaugesin 2D and VC.CraigLian Li PC 65B CaseCorsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power SupplyPlextor PX-810SA/SW-BL DVD/CDGiagabyte GA-P35-DS3RCrucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)Arctic Freezer 7 ProIntel E6850 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache @ 3.6 GHzEVGA 7950GT KO 512mb 169.21_forceware whqlSeagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATASeagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATAVista Ultimate SP1FS Genesis US,Canada,MexicoGEX Active SkyFlightSim Commander VOX ATCTrack IR Vector

>It would be nice if the price was

Everybody know that the FSX version is not fully enjoyable,>because you don't have good performance for use in major>airport and fully enjoy this bird for IFR.I guess if your making that statement you have purchased the FSX version is that correct?CraigLian Li PC 65B CaseCorsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power SupplyPlextor PX-810SA/SW-BL DVD/CDGiagabyte GA-P35-DS3RCrucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)Arctic Freezer 7 ProIntel E6850 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache @ 3.6 GHzEVGA 7950GT KO 512mb 169.21_forceware whqlSeagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATASeagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATAVista Ultimate SP1FS Genesis US,Canada,MexicoGEX Active SkyFlightSim Commander VOX ATCTrack IR Vector

>Everybody know that the FSX version is not fully enjoyable,>>because you don't have good performance for use in major>>airport and fully enjoy this bird for IFR.>>I guess if your making that statement you have purchased the>FSX version is that correct?>;-)

Took 3 frends to Outback and blew threw $100 in little over an hour and all I have to show for it is the taste of blue chesse lingering in my mouth. Had the bc seared steak.After being roughed up over at ALPHASIM over their A6 prices, I vowed never to buy from them again.Then they came out with the Blackhawk.No systems,very few clickables and basic vc and they wanted If I remeber $50.Weighted side by side against other products did it "add up" and warrant a $50 price tag.Of course not! More like $25-$30.But I WANTED IT.Just like the $22 prime rib I had last week.So I bought it.Even though I am a real world pilot with 25 years in the biz, I am not a systems type person and cold and dark starting a plane as complex as the 747 or md11 would bore me to death.I am willing to pay just for the overall quality,graphics,programming and to support a first rate outfit.Bottom line is that if you feel it is priced to high,do not buy it.Maybe its just me, but after a month of being bombarded with the number 750 BILLION, thats 750000000000:o $80 or whatever it is just does not shock me.

I always get the bc steak at outback also!I have a less succesful story-took my family of three out to dinner Monday night-but the place we were supposed to go was closed. Went to an unkown one and had a horrible meal for $65 and had nothing to show for it but a bad taste.Flight sim and its add ons are one of the true bargains in life imho.I feel the same about complex systems aircraft but I may also bite on this package. I will be interested in hearing your comments on it.GeofaMy blog:http://geofageofa.spaces.live.com/

I have no doubts this is an excellent offering. What I'm curious about is how the price is determined.Assuming they didn't just pluck a figure out of the air then it would be down to how much money do we want to make divided by the estimated number of units sold.So if you wanted to make 1 million pounds all you would need is to sell it to one purchaser for 1 million pounds. Job done.Alternatively you could sell it for 1 pound and provided 1 million people bought it, again you've hit your target.The reality lies somewhere between these two extremes. In short, how to extract the maximum amount of money from the greatest number of people. Every business that sells things will use this strategy. Only the best will hit the sweet spot.I'm no financial expert but I have bought a lot of addons for FS over the years. 60 Euros is about 82 US dollars or 47 Pounds Sterling. There will be a lot of people who baulk at spending so much on any addon irrespective of how good it is. I would say the sweet spot would be around 40 Euros; 50 USD; 30 Pounds.Having set a price they can't really lower it as it will just piddle off the early buyers. But I suspect that had they lowered it to that suggested above many more people would have bought it and their profits would have been greater.Just my six penneth. :-)Cheers,

really sad discussion here...There are only a few companies that produce high quality addons for our hobby. And when such a masterpiece arrives after years of development you all have nothing else to do than to complain for personal reasons.I bought it and I must say it is great! The VC is awesome, smooth and fluid. It's the first time i can fly a jet completely in VC and with TrackIR.Congratulations PMDG!Regards,Heiko

really sad discussion here...Sad? I don't see it like that at all. It's called a debate. Some will be pro, some will be against. It's human nature.There are only a few companies that produce high quality addons for our hobby.And when such a masterpiece arrives after years of development you all have nothing else to do than to complain for personal reasons.I don't see any posts questioning the quality. I'm not sure I would use the word 'masterpiece' but if you want to describe it as such that's fine by me.As for the complaints... everyone is entitled to their opinion just as you are entitled to yours. Why shouldn't people be allowed to say what they feel? No-one has used immoderate language so let the debate continue. I'm sure PMDG are reading these even if they won't reply.Personally I won't be buying irrespective of whatever the price is because I prefer different aircraft. All I'm here for is to post a view on the price versus units sold. I think it would have been much more popular at a lower price which could possibly brought PMDG higher profits.

Any idea when a paintkit will be available im itching to let my brush loose on the beast .