Sky Simulations MD-11 Version 2.2

LOL! Rob. I presume you are already aware that this is a gorgeous-looking "lite" MD-11, not a PMDG..

3 hours ago, HighBypass said:

LOL! Rob. I presume you are already aware that this is a gorgeous-looking "lite" MD-11, not a PMDG..

-AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
• All systems with AUTO and Manual Mode.

Don't really sound like it's a "lite" model to me...

If this can be flown like the real MD11, even without failures, I'll buy it.

I bought it. It's not bad.  Much better than the other MD-11 or DC-10 anyway.

PROF doesn't seem to work at all, and it has no autothrottles.  Throttles must be handled manually, which I don't mind that much, but, not knowing that, I almost let it stall before I seen that I needed to push the throttles forward. 

I don't see how SIDs or STARs can be loaded.  I took off from KSEA 16L and it didn't give me any choices for SIDs.  I have to see how to update the FMS data base.  Haven't read that far yet.

Seems best to taxi with just one or two engines running, or you'll have to ride the brakes all the way.

NAV works and VS works, but like I said PROF doesn't work at all and IAS doesn't seem to work, especially with no autothrottle.

It seems to handle very good.  Feels heavy when flying manually.

Visually, the cockpit is much better than anything else that Sky Simulations has released, but not near today's standards.  I didn't mind that too much though.  Sit in it for a while and you get used to the visuals.

I didn't do a full flight because I have to go to bed, but I'll try to land it next time and see how that feels.

I have to say though, it's fun to fly.  Maybe they'll update it, or maybe I'm not doing something the way it needs to be done, although I fly the TFDi 717 a lot, which is very similar to the MD-11, and I remember a lot about flying the MD-11 since I did fly it a lot when I had FSX.

I know that when taking off with the PMDG version, I'm supposed to push "Autopilot" once and that will set the throttles for takeoff, then after taking off I'm supposed to push it again to set the autopilot.  None of that works though.

Looking at the .cfg file, I believe it is supposed to have autothrottle working.  Mine just was not.

I am going to reload it and try again.  I could not get the FMC/CDU to work until I reloaded the MD-11, so some of the problems may be me.

It also says in the manual that it is supposed to use SIDs and STARs, but the sample picture of the CDU screen on the manual doesn't show any SIDs, just runways and ILS frequencies, so I don't know where the SIDs are.

I need to find out if the nav data can be updated.  I don't know where they are getting it from.

5 hours ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

no expectations of PMDG or FSLabs depth

Cheers, Rob.

I believe there is a place for aircraft like the Aerosoft A320, QualityWings 757, and others that are not the system depth of PMDG or FSLabs.

These aircraft can be very enjoyable to fly as long as they are well made, consistant and stable.

Any model of the MD-11 should have some form of PROF working and a working autothrottle, because the MD-11 was a highly automated aircraft.  I don't expect Sky Simulations to be as in-depth as the PMDG MD-11 or the TFDi 717, but I do expect it to have the basic system automation of the MD-11.  This one may have that once I get everything loaded and working right.  I'm hopeful anyway.

I got the autothrottles working.  You have to push FMS speed for them to work. On the PMDG MD-11, when you push "Auto Flight" the autothrottles would be working.

Still no SIDs yet though.  I don't know where they are on the FMS, or where I can update the nav data yet.

Another problem is that I cannot turn off the APU once it is started.  Just have to leave it running.

Still it is a fun aircraft to fly.  I'll be installing my TSS MD-11 sound package next.

It taxis perfectly on the two wing engines.

The more I fly it, the more I'm liking it.  It's just nice to have an MD-11 in P3Dv4, even if it has some faults.

The cockpit visuals are not too bad.  Actually better than PMDG's old MD-11 for FSX.

I may have to install FSXSE so I can install my PMDG MD-11 and compare them.

14 hours ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

And "lite" on my wallet ... no expectations of PMDG or FSLabs depth ... I just love these triples, CS, JF, and now this.

Cheers, Rob.

i just did a full flight from KSEA to KLAS.  I've come to the conclusion that this is not so much a "lite" version, but a very inaccurate version.

It did not catch the localizer or glide slope.  I had to use the vertical speed knob to descend until I disconnected the autopilot to land, even though the bright green annunciators showed that I was locked on the localizer and the glide slope.

The APU finally did shut off, so it must just take a while to cool down before it cuts off.

So many things don't work like their supposed to that I can't say them all.

Still it is flyable and handles very good on manual.  Since it don't work like an MD-11 you have to figure out what does what in order to make use of the autopilot the best that you can.

Signmanbob - glad you got the autothrottle working. I note that in V2.2 it doesn't work like V2.0 in that you have to pull the adjuster out, dial in the speed (only in 10 knot increments now), then push it back in. I believe that the fms speed button will now follow what is set in the FMC.

The only landing I have done so far was a visual one, so haven't tried the ILS out. Previously I had to press the app land button above the AUTOFLIGHT to achieve capture and V2.0 certainly did capture the ILS (beware of porpoising!)

Unless I'm loading the aircraft wrong then the fuel system seems slightly inaccurate: Sure the system will empty the tail tank (pumps to engine 2 and to the centre aux), but that's one way only, I don't think it will transfer fuel TO the tail at all. I've switched over to manual and I can't seem to get the fuel to flow back to the tail...

The APU does take a while to turn off after you have pressed the button, but I believe the real APU has a similar cooling down period..

I have not studied how to program an FMC at all (accurate or non-accurate!), I just load in the plan via FSX:SE (plan obtained via onlineflightplanner.org). I don't think I've even selected SIDs or STARs when getting the plan. Even if I did, would the default ATC realise this?

I believe Sky Simulations are off to a good start with this MD-11, but I wish we could like it even more.

The Aircraft manager (SHIFT-4) is only for the pax version. I can of course use freighter payload numbers (thanks to a question answered by members with real world knowledge) and then check the CofG via the manager, but it would have been nice to cater for both versions, seeing as the include the Freighter package :)

High-Bypass,

Your right, Sky Simulations are definately off to a good start, but it's just a start.  There is a long way before this aircraft will be in a class with the "lite" or "mid" system aircraft released by companies like Aerosoft or QualityWings.

For me, in order to have a valid "lite" aircraft, the flight systems must resemble the real aircraft in a way that you get the "feel" of operating an MD-11

The fact that it has an FMC is enough for me, even if it is made by "EasyFMC", but I would like it to have an up-datable nav-data base with SIDs and STARs, so it can be flown online with confidence.

Also the FCP does not work at all like the real MD-11 and for  me, that is a problem.  Below is what PMDG wrote about the procedure for using the FCP on their MD-11 for FSX:

"The autothrottle and autopilot systems on the MD‐11 are NOT independent of each other in the way that they are on Boeing aircraft.
Before takeoff, pressing the AUTOFLIGHT button on the FCP arms both the autothrottle and the autopilot takeoff modes. Advancing the throttles manually past around 60% N1 will cause the autothrottle system to actually engage and begin controlling thrust. There is an audible click sound from the panel when this happens.

After takeoff, press Autoflight again to do the equivalent of pressing one of the autopilot CMD buttons on a Boeing. This will actually give control of the pitch and roll modes over to the AP. From this point on, the two systems are completely unified and essentially operate as a combined system until disengagement at landing." (12/22/2016  Tips for Boeing pilots learning the MD11 by PMDG Simulations)

(brings a tear to my eye)

The MD-11 that Sky Simulations released with v2.2 does not replicate this in any way.  I believe they just took the default autopilot for FSX (P3D) and wired it to the FCP buttons as best that they could.

Kind of a long way from having an MD-11 in P3Dv4, but it looks good anyway and it does manually fly really well.  So well actually, that I wouldn't even try a full autoland with it because I don't believe it could do that any good at all.

14 hours ago, signmanbob said:

...Before takeoff, pressing the AUTOFLIGHT button on the FCP arms both the autothrottle and the autopilot takeoff modes. Advancing the throttles manually past around 60% N1 will cause the autothrottle system to actually engage and begin controlling thrust. There is an audible click sound from the panel when this happens...

Actually, I think this did happen on a flight I started last night (yes, I usually have to save flights due to time, work and family).

I lined up on the runway, having already pressed AUTOFLIGHT. I then advanced the throttles and once the engines had spooled to a certain value (beyond 60% N1 :) ), the autothrottle kicked in "Takeoff thrust set", and as I got close to 250 knots, she began throttling back. I don't believe I'd clicked on the TOGA button either...

Rob

1. Did you try MTOW? Just curious. I've always held her back on the brakes.. wrong I know

2. I found the cones disappear when you turn on the beacons, at least in FSX:SE

3. No argument there. Hence I splashed out on TSS. Again, wrong I know :) A pity one has to add aftermarket sound packs

Regarding AUTOFLIGHT and takeoff thrust. Having now tried out a few takeoffs, it only appears to work if I had first dialled in 250 knots, pressed AUTOFLIGHT then pressed the speed adjuster knob in to set it in thrust mode. Not tried pitch mode..

EDIT all my previous takeoffs were done manually, only selecting the autopilot modes once climbing away.

4 hours ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

Hmmm ... seems a few issues need to be addressed

1.  Taxi 60Kts with all engines at idle?  (checked calibration of my devices, all good)

2.  Couldn't get rid of the the cones around the aircraft no matter what I did.

3.  Engine sounds are pretty bad (the seem to be all default sounds) inside and outside.

Sorry but I can't recommend this aircraft at this price point in it's current state, hopefully some updates come down the pike.

Cheers, Rob.

Taxi with the two wing engines running.  Don't start engine 2 until you get to the runway.  It will taxi perfectly.

 Definitely use TSS sound. I think everything under the hood of this MD-11 is default P3D (FSX), just wired to different buttons.

Pros:

• You have what looks like an MD-11 in P3Dv4

• Aircraft is very nice to hand-fly.  

• Autopilot is capable of flying lateral navigation after you learn which buttons to push.

• VC looks way better than anything that Sky Simulations has previously released.  They did a lot of work to make it look this good.

• Uses a dedicated version of Easy FMC for the CDU, which has been around for a while and is a simplefied FMC/CDU that will get you there. 

CONS

• Flight systems do not work like the real MD-11 in any way (based on my experience using PMDG and TFDi).  This is an MD-11 in looks only.

• FMC/CDU will not accept SIDs and STARs and doesn't seem to be able to update the nav-data with Navigraph.

• Sounds are sub-par.

• Has no VNAV capabilities at all.  You must use VS to climb or desend

• Panel displays are a little blurry.  Must use pop-up displays to really see what is going on.

• Taxis way too fast with three engines running.  This may be true with the real aircraft.  Taxing on two wing engines works perfectly

• By interfacing with navigation databases:
In order to keep it simple, EasyFMC has been designed to use the existing GPS database that every user has within FS2004 or FSX. This is convenient because you don’t need to install and maintain a navigation database. The drawback is that the GPS information is not up to date. If you have some advanced add-on, such as PMDG, Level-D or Wilco, you may have a better navigation database. (from EasyFMC manual on website) EasyFMC Doc

Just because this is buried in the P3D thread I'll post it here. I'm attempting to correct the sorry to say horrid PBR work SkySimulations did on the aircraft.  There is a link in that thread to my current PBR fixes.  I'm also redoing their paintkit as it was lacking.  Most of the work is done hopefully I'll have time to finish this week.  My paint kit will consolidate all the fuselage files and layers, will add a metal layer and an appropriate metallic.dds file to work with it also.

https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/560804-update-sky-simulations-md-11-v22/

On 10/24/2019 at 7:12 PM, HighBypass said:

Actually, I think this did happen on a flight I started last night (yes, I usually have to save flights due to time, work and family).

I lined up on the runway, having already pressed AUTOFLIGHT. I then advanced the throttles and once the engines had spooled to a certain value (beyond 60% N1 🙂), the autothrottle kicked in "Takeoff thrust set", and as I got close to 250 knots, she began throttling back. I don't believe I'd clicked on the TOGA button either...

While its good it engaged like that, it doesn't sound like an autothrottle in takeoff mode. It shouldn't be backing off thrust to control speed, it should be increasing pitch.

For people saying Sky Simulations have made a good start with this MD11, this is an update to an existing addon.

7 hours ago, kevinh said:

..For people saying Sky Simulations have made a good start with this MD11, this is an update to an existing addon.

A fair point sir! It was originally for FS9 wasn't it?

On 10/26/2019 at 5:20 PM, HighBypass said:

A fair point sir! It was originally for FS9 wasn't it?

Yes, but the P3Dv4 version (V2) first appeared last year. This is an update to that, and not a free update either.

Strange, Kevin. I beg to differ, the V2.2 was free, at least when offered via Just Flight. Not sure about direct from Sky Simulations though..

V2 to V2.2 update from SkySim is free providing you still have your activation code from wherever you got it.

Updating from V1 to V2, yeah you're gonna have to shell out a few 20's for that

A further experiment today yielded this result:

I launched the sim with the big Mad Dog on the active at Miami with an appropriate flight plan loaded (KMIA-SCEL). I obtain these basic flight plans from onlineflightplanner.org and load them in via the FSX:SE flight planner: As basic as it gets to give me a magenta line.

IF a flight plan is loaded, then just by pressing the AUTOFLIGHT button, without dialling any speed in via the FCP, then the throttles automatically advance, even from idle and she will then use 250kt as a maximum until exceeding 10000 feet. (By default, the flightplan uses 300 knots above 10000)

Still not quite right, but certainly a degree of automation.

nice