The MD-11 reviewed by a REAL Airbus Captain.  What are your thoughts on this add-on? How do you think the fidelity of the Rotate MD-11 will compare to the iniBuilds L1011. If you were only going to buy one, which one would you get? Yes, not really apples to apples as the MD-11 cockpit is more modern compared to the vintage L1011 cockpit.
 

 

Edited March 25Mar 25 by alanw2005

It's a good aircraft, but some free mods make it even better. https://discord.com/channels/967804647500808262/1476585976095707269

Also some cockpit mods https://forums.x-plane.org/files/file/79980-rotate-md-11-gray-cockpit-mod/

https://forums.x-plane.org/files/file/92755-rotate-md-11-pfd-colors/

https://forums.x-plane.org/forums/topic/295298-white-lines-cockpit-textures/?page=1

https://drive.usercontent.google.com/download?id=1m3MtlJj-oWd-RrfNWlQ2Z7lKCo8_u3Qs&export=download&authuser=0

Recent update (beta) to version 1.20-8 via Skunckcrafts updater makes it even better.

 

IMHO the Rotate is probably higher in fidelity, given their very good reputation with the MD-80. 

OTOH, the iniBuilds has reviewed well, esp for a v1.0.0.0.0 release of a very complicated aircraft where they have no prior experience. 

Less important but still relevant is the price delta. It indicates that iB intends for the 1011 to remain a “mid-“ grade addon. 

Also, iB have a large fleet of addons to maintain, and they do let themselves fall behind on updates/bug fixes. 

Whereas Rotate have just the two addons, of which the 11 is clearly their flagship pride and joy  

The MD, tho, is “just” another modern magenta line autopilot machine. Still, a great addon for those who want something just a bit different in a heavy jet.

At the end of the day, IMHO, the L1011 is the more interesting aircraft, tho. An old school steam gauge ‘liner, but one that was highly sophisticated and technologically advanced for its time. 

It’s like two different flavors of ice cream - hard to go wrong either way. 😁👍

Edited April 6Apr 6 by UrgentSiesta

On 4/6/2026 at 9:09 PM, UrgentSiesta said:

The MD, tho, is “just” another modern magenta line autopilot machine

..... Which PMDG refuse to revisit as its not fashionable /trendy /carrying passengers enough anymore. 😉 

Heavy, noisy, uneconomical.... Magenta yes but one click to fly/hands off no! 

I don't own one yet for XP but the Rotate is on my PFD for sure. Does it have working terrain /weather radar displays? 

Sorry I could look that up myself but then I'd be another few clicks closer to buying it. It'll have to wait until I've finished my world tour with the FF772 though.... 

42 minutes ago, sloppysmusic said:

... It'll have to wait until I've finished my world tour with the FF772 though.... 

Is it nice fbw wise? How does it model C*u? Is auto "triming" well modeled ?

Edited April 13Apr 13 by jcomm

On 4/13/2026 at 9:28 AM, jcomm said:

Is it nice fbw wise? How does it model C*u? Is auto "triming" well modeled ?

Overall I'm stunned with the detail. It's so accurate in so many areas I have to wonder if things don't go to plan if it's me or the simulation that's at fault! 

Intensely complicated to set up a flight out the box but once you've tweaked the setup and saved your preferences it's as quick and easy as any other addon. 

Some points of interest for me :

Hands down most enjoyable tubeliner I've ever owned to hand fly during takeoff and landing. Fbw will trim closely to your pitch. I now look forward to disconnecting ap and at during final. 

Taxiing feels like a HEAVY. Will break free with idle thrust light loads, and with a little added power heavy loads. 

State saving is perfect. I can resume flights exactly as I left them. 

Sounds are awe inspiring. 

VNAV descents are comfortable but if you do not take full control of energy management below 15k feet you'll be too fast/too high /too soon! This seems to be what real world pilots report too. The speed brake is a normal flight control too! 

This plane has beaten by old favourite, the pmdg 747 v2 into first spot on my all time greats and I don't even LIKE the 777 for it's automation! 737ng/757/747 series my preference but this is so good I don't have any of those other planes in any sim as enjoyable as this. 

A must buy IMHO. 

But is he a REAL MD11 captain though... Beauty of a plane

On 4/15/2026 at 3:06 AM, sloppysmusic said:

I now look forward to disconnecting ap and at during final. 

From my understanding, the common practice is to land with AT on, like an Airbus. It's not a 73. 

Stupid phone. Delete

Edited April 17Apr 17 by mjrhealth

8 hours ago, BostonJeremy77 said:

From my understanding, the common practice is to land with AT on, like an Airbus. It's not a 73. 

Where's the fun in that?! 😉😬🤔😀 

In good visibility without strong gusts or crosswind I always land manually so I can practice the 'feel' of the plane. I only LAND 3 if its bad weather down to minimums and gusty. For the same reasons I don't click AP at 400 ft but usually hand fly the turns in the climb out. 

Some addons hand fly so poorly that it kills the immersion but this amazing addon just feels so right I can't get enough of it. I added the 300ER upgrade yesterday and that is just as good. 

Also... Practicing hand flying finals and sometimes approaches gives me confidence I'll be able to cope if /when :

A) ATC clears/vectors me for a visual. 

B) There is a failure with the plane and I need to divert to the nearest airport without a precision approach. The autopilot itself could fail... 

C) Offset runways.... I'm thinking LOWI for example although you won't see a 777 there often! 

Those are realistic examples but it's also challenging and enjoyable in a GOOD addon to hand fly vfr touch and go circuits. I recall doing that with the PMDG 748 at Wellington NZ to familiarise myself with the plane, stability, energy management etc. 

Also every addon plane from single prop to heavy I've always flown a complete flight from runway to runway without using AP or AT once. VFR usually but hand flying the magenta is also challenging! 

I'd never ask an autopilot to do do something I couldn't do myself manually if I had to. 

Apart from doing things by the book I like to have fun with the sim!

Such sentiments make you a completely inappropriate candidate for modern day air crew training !   🙂

Over the past few decades many lives lost due to air crews degraded stick and rudder skills or loss of situational awareness because of over reliance on Otto. Failure to aviate before they navigate or communicate. Last words, “now what’s it doing?”

I didn't say LAND 3. 🙂 You would still hand-fly it and most of the time they are hand-flown. But AT is on... You simply disengage the AP and leave AT on, as opposed to the 73, where you disable AT then disable AP (that AP should not be flown without AT on). Just practical difference. And they do plenty of training hand-flying the aircraft. 

13 hours ago, BostonJeremy77 said:

I didn't say LAND 3. 🙂 You would still hand-fly it and most of the time they are hand-flown. But AT is on... You simply disengage the AP and leave AT on, as opposed to the 73, where you disable AT then disable AP (that AP should not be flown without AT on). Just practical difference. And they do plenty of training hand-flying the aircraft. 

OK gotcha now. I still like disconnecting both though personally as with ap off at on if I need adjust pitch up or down suddenly there is a few second delay before the at logic will catch up, whereas with full manual thrust I can adjust both at exactly the same time for smoothness and control.