Think of it this way. The real MD-11 is a completely different aircraft in terms of design, engineering, systems and operation than any Boeing product or Airbus product out there. The same goes for the PMDG MD-11 You will need to learn most of the systems over again. The cockpit detail is far beyond anything els out there.In the 3D pit both the FMCs can be used, there in no 2d panel that opens when you click on the FMC in the 3D pit. The aircraft has 2 independent FMCs Captian and FO. The detail goes beyond the LDS 767 and the PMDG 747

PMDG make fine products. I bought all their 737 add-ons and the 1900. I think I paid about 30-40 bucks for them. As a customer, I don't see the latest offering being worth 2 or 3 times more. It's also a matter of interest. I'm just not interested in long haul aircraft.PMDG has to sell their product for whatever price gains them the most profit. If they can sell one copy for 500,000 bucks, then more power to them. I'm just saying that I hope the price point is in my buy range.

After successfully running a short flight (barely, I'm still settling in with the AF system's automation), I decided to checkout some systems stuff. One of the tricks to fixing these things is to use one system to check another. Pneumatics problems seems to be something that comes up a lot. We had a pressurization problem the other day. On the ground everything seemed to work. So I used an alternative approach. A familiar eye can pick up the relationship between an APU's EGT, pneumatic system pressure change characteristics and make a general conclusion about the downstream system load. Pack Loads should be about even. For instance, if the APU's egt remains lower with a specific pack on, that could mean that pack has a restriction . . . and potentially low flow. If the system's pneumatic pressure does not drop sufficiently before the APU can reestablish duct pressure, this too might mean something down stream is clogged up. I ran this system sequence on the MD model. I'm happy to report the system checks OK . . . it also acted just the way I would expect a healthy system react. APU EGT excursions, pneumatic pressure drops, pack valve positions . . . the works. No One will see this . . . but it's there.

I agree that you can't let it get ahead of you...My first flight was a crash on approach....Also I would like to say that a lot of people may find the price a bit steep, but I am sure PMDG had a look at all the financial aspects of the market, their costs etc...their profit expectation and the price is a result of that. It is purely a matter of personal decision for anyone to buy or not buy the product based on anyones' price expectation, affluence, desire for the product etc.Whatever you decide, the quality is unquestionable, this product is at the top of flight simming.

Tom, Where are the UPS and FEDEX liveries? Don't see them at PMDG. Craig

That sounds pretty cool. If I never got the opportunity to be a pilot, flight engineer would've been a close second choice. Hope they put the same detail into the 737.

They are there... I will post a link if no one else does, when I get home later today.

>> Tom,>> Where are the UPS and FEDEX liveries? Don't see them at>PMDG.>>> Craig> Here they are:http://www.precisionmanuals.com/priv/pages...n/liveries.htmlScroll down the list of liveries ;-)Ulf B

>So what you're saying in essence is they are pricing it high>not expecting it to shift many boxes. Frankly I don't buy it. Had they released a 777 it would have been probably priced similarly - in line with their current 747X.I actually admire them for being gutsy - for picking an aircraft that could be regarded as potential market risk combined with extra work required to model such "non Boeing". If we follow this line of speculation they could have made another "cookie cutter" Boeing in much less time and rip huge profits.Michael J.http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9320/apollo17vf7.jpg

Thanks Ulf for jumping in and answering Craig's question.

Hi Craig,Ray,While I respect your opinions (you may not recall but you have helpedme a few times in the past) and those of others re: whether or notthe pricing and product makes sense I wish we could see more "mini"reviews of the product as well as any problems (which there are) as I have purchased the product.I think the bottom line is either buy it or don't. The price ain'tgonna change.Your name does ring a bell. :-)I think many people would love to read a review - even a mini-one - but sadly they do take a lot of work and quite a bit of skill. The problem is a review is just one person's take on a product and there would be plenty who would disagree. I think if you're interested in buying a product discussion like this is invaluable for getting a feel as to how well it's being received in the community.I wasn't complaining about the price as I have no intention of buying it. I was just voicing my views on what I thought might be a more realistic price which might then encourage those who are sitting on the fence to buy it.

I think we are in a strange place with regard to pricing of very high end flight sim products. Unfortunately the number of units sold is low relative to most video games and the time, effort and expertise required to make them is very high. This leads to an unfortunate situation where the companies need to charge a lot but the market can only take so much. The current economic situation doesn't help.Mark.

>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.>Geofa, the MD11 raises the bar for airliner add-ons. Even if you are not a fan of airliners you would be missing out on an amazing product if you didnt buy this!I really love the "atmosphere" in the cockpit. Variable night lighting, great sounds (including the 3 speed windscreen wiper noise, aircon, button clicks etc), detailed systems modelling, beautiful VC, great flight modelling.

>Check it out! Amazing stuff far better and detailed as the 747 and far better FPS as the 747 :-)Still amazed about the system programming and the level of detail actually the 747 is kindergarten with this one in every field.The price is real bargain for the amount of work involved if you save every day 0,04 euro cent of the development time of 4 years you end up with a benchmarking new product ;-)Guys every discussion over the price is a non discussion for this level of development...If you can't afford it at the moment that's a different story.You could always start the development yourself :-lolThose surprises left and right of the FO seat in the VC love it :-)Combine it with FS2Crew and you got dynamite.http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/awf1/sign.jpg

Ok-I think you have convinced me.. :-)GeofaMy blog:http://geofageofa.spaces.live.com/