Sunday, September 6, 2009

PMDG MD-11 fsx add-on

It’s sad, isn’t it? When we think of the great aircraft of the world, we probably drift to the 747, A380 and such. But for every aircraft that springs to mind, there are more than a few that are forgotten about. The Trident, The BAC 1-11 and the VC-10 to name a few. The MD-11 Is just such an aircraft. I admit that I knew very little of the MD-11. I did know that it was an evolution of the DC-10, and, uh, that’s about it really.
Introduced in 1990, the MD-11 was the culmination of a 4-year development program. Sadly, the MD-11 never really set the world on fire. There were problems with range and efficiency on early models, which led several airlines to cancel passenger orders. She did, however, find success as a freighter and found a home with Fed Ex who put them to work with their existing DC-10’s. These days, there are more freighters flying than passenger aircraft and with record fuel costs this summer, time may be short for the iconic tri-jet.
That of course doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy the MD-11 well after it’s retirement. So, with out further ado, I give you PMDG’s MD-11.
A new addition to The Air Canada Fleet!
Reputation is Everything
PMDG had a reputation. Anyone who has flown their 737NG or 747-400 for FS2004 will know what I mean. These aircraft are usually the basis for many home cockpits. Knowing this should give you some idea of the level of complexity available. As always, though, we’ll start with what’s in the box.
What’s in the Box
You know, I may need to rename this bit. As is common these days, there is a download version and of course the boxed version.
Installation is easy and the aircraft can be found in the FS aircraft menu. You will notice that you only get the PMDG house liveries, but don’t despair as there is an extensive choice of liveries available from the PMDG website including airlines that never flew the MD-11! (Virgin and Air Canada are two such liveries). Installation of these extra liveries is simple as they are self-extracting files.
Loading up
Getting Started
Like many of the big heavies, before you fly you have to load up and in common with others, the MD-11 comes with it’s own loading program. The usual options are there. Choices of empty, 1/3, 2/3 and full for passengers and cargo alike as well as my favourite, the random function. But to display the depths of detail that PMDG have gone into, there is a choice of configuration for the passenger cabin. From a standard mixed configuration to a full, all economy high-density layout, this allows for different capacities on different routes, from High Density for some Chinese and Japanese flights to the standard configs for the transatlantic routes.
As always, the load out figures are provided below the aircraft diagrams and I recommend that you make notes on ZWF, ZWFCG, MTOW and MTOWCG, plus passenger total. Once done, you can save the load out to open when starting FS. You can also leave the screen open and once you’ve started FS you’ll see a note on the load out screen ‘FS Status: connected’. If you then load up the MD-11 that status changes to ‘MD-11 loaded’ you’ll also note that a new option button has popped up. Clicking it sends the current settings direct to the MD-11. This is a great option for second monitor users or for those who have various legs to fly on. From here, it’s off to the airport.
‘Lit up like a Christmas tree’ was written for this OHP.
Failure is always an option, along with sound, fuel…
Before you get going, there’s yet more options to set to your liking. As with other add-ons these days, the Add-on menu selection is in the main FS menu section. There you’ll find two choices. The first is PMDG Sound. This is a fairly simple menu for setting the level of sound you want from the MD-11. The real fun begins when you delve in to the PMDG main menu. There, you’ll find selections for ‘options’, ‘aircraft fuel’, ‘performance tuning’ and ‘keyboard commands’. Some of these are self explanatory. The Options menu let you set things like units of measurement, display options and such. The Performance tuning menu lets you set the level of detail for both the 2D and VC. Great if you want to gain a few extra FPS. Below this is the Panel State section. Load or Save a panel state for the those who want to get going quickly or those who want to go through the pre-flight step by step.
Below that is the Failures menu. Go here at your peril. If you do dare enter, however, you’ll find options for setting failures at any time during the flight. In fact there are so many things to fail, you could spend all day in there.
Last is the usual About PMDG selection.
Basically, you set the aircraft to you personal taste. Customisation is certainly a key principle.
‘I’d Just like to Say, Good Luck. We’re all counting On you.
At the Gate
Make no mistake, the MD-11 is a complex aircraft. In fact I’d have to say it’s probably the most complex aircraft I’ve ever reviewed. And as such I would normally recommend printing out the manual. However, that is not a great option here, mostly because there are at least 4 manuals to choose from. First, there’s the FCOM, then the Systems Manual, then the FMC manual, then the Quick Reference Manual (a personal favourite at 250+ Pages) as well as the introduction and finally, the tutorial. This gives us a grand total of 1200+ pages to review. However, all is not lost. I recommend printing out the tutorial (a mere 87 pages) and worry about the others later. If the thought of printing out the entire lot strikes fear into your poor little printer’s print heads, don’t fret. For the first time, PMDG are offering the complete set of manuals, printed and bound for just $169. You can also get a handy cockpit familiarisation poster to help you find your way around.
For those wishing to get a free ride. The Refugee space. Just watch out for the U/C
Into the Lion’s Den!
McDonnell Douglas may have finished producing the MD-11, but the cockpit is pure MD. For those who fly either Boeing’s or Airbus, the cockpit is similar but different. The controls are advanced even by some of today’s standard. The old DC-10 was a three crew bird, but when MD designed the MD-11, they cut one seat. The old FE is still there though, he’s just more computerised that’s all. The automatic FE helps control the Air and Fuel Systems, cutting the workload dramatically. You can control both systems manually, but be it on your head. The fuel system itself is a complex system of wing tanks, centre tanks and trim tanks, all of which must be balanced to maintain the C of G both prior to and during the flight. So it’s best to set the system to auto and forget about it. (You know it makes sense.)
With such a high level of automation, you’d expect the aircraft to be easy to operate. In a word, NO.
As I mentioned, the cockpit is pure MD, and nowhere is this more evident than the autopilot panel. For starters, it’s a lot less cluttered than you’d expect. In the centre of it all is a lovely large button marked ‘Autoflight’ You can probably guess what that’s for.
For those of us who are used to the ‘VNAV’ and ‘LNAV’ buttons, well, tough luck. The ‘VNAV’ becomes split between ‘FMS SPEED’ and ‘PROF’ whist the Nav button operates the ‘LNAV’ control unless a heading is input and you override the FMC. Also on the same panel are the controls to alter the various Nav Screen controls such as Increase, Decrease range, VOR, Approach, Map and TCAS selections, as well as the barometer set controls. This, at least, is familiar to those who fly the 737NG.
From there it’s fairly simple. Normally I fly using the VC, but for the first time ever, I’ve found the 2D cockpit easier to navigate, with discreet clickable areas available to bring up every panel via a left of right mouse click. The forward view is excellent and allows me to make approaches with ease.
‘Cabin crew doors to Automatic’
Getting Going
To get started you’ll need to get your head around the FMC. Again, this is not like the standard Boeing or Airbus type. Both the ‘route’ and ‘init ref’ buttons are combined into one. As are several other functions.
Also found in the depths of the FMC are options for Doors, both cabin and cargo. There is also a menu for ‘Pushback’ Controls. More on that later. I recommend using the tutorial to give you a basic grounding in the FMC, but to get the most from it you’ll need to read the FMC manual.
Engine starting is fairly simple, although you will need to Monitor the N² numbers as letting them get too high without turning the fuel on will result in engine damage.
You’re now ready for pushback. Now one of the things I liked about Level D’s 767 (see review) was the use of scripted speech for the ground crew and such. Well PMDG have also thought about this. Contacting the ground crew results in the marshaller talking you through the pushback procedure. Unlike Level D, however, PMDG have thought about how it sounds outside. So, when the Ground crew talk back, you’ll hear the jets whine through the mike, whist the captain replies with relative calm. All this adds to the atmosphere and helps you to suspend disbelief for a little while.
With a complex aircraft come complex displays and just like the newer Airbus aircraft, there’s a forth screen to monitor the Engines, Air system, Fuel system and Hydraulic systems. This also displays the various warnings that’ll crop up from time to time. ‘Seatbelt sign off’, for example, to ‘ENG_MALF’. Be warned, though, if things do fail in a big way, you will need to refer to the FCOM for the severity of the alert. Every problem and alert that can happen on the real aircraft CAN happen here.
Also tucked away is a ‘Consequences’ screen that offers some solutions should something go wrong. Perhaps the most important screen of all is the ‘Config’ screen. Making sure everything is good to go here lets you get ready for taxi.
I love the retro look. Perhaps BA should consider a few aircraft painted up.
Dial ‘F’ For Flaps
One of the curious options onboard the MD-11 is the ‘dial a flap’ selector. Checking the throttle quadrant reveals the standard flap lever. To it’s bottom right is the ‘dial a flap’ wheel. Selecting the appropriate number here prior to taxi means that instead of cycling through the various settings in order ‘1,2,5,10′ and so on you can simply move the flap lever twice to select the required flap setting. ‘22′ for example. Simple but effective.
Now, assuming you’ve set everything up correctly, a small green box will appear in the third display. If it’s there, you’re ready to go.
Remember when I said be careful with the N² figures.
Flying
Takeoff comes quickly and smoothly. The engines sound simply fantastic. Top marks to PMDG for some top quality sounds.
Once you’re up, though, the MD-11 is a pussycat to fly. You’ll need to forget speed ratings for normal twins. The EASI does a fantastic job displaying all the information you’ll need, including flap/slat settings and gear up/down speeds. Engaging the ‘Autoflight’ computers leaves George to fly. George is a fantastic pilot and is fully capable of landing in Cat IIIb without so much as spilling a drop of your coffee. If you feel the need to land yourself, then be warned that the MD-11 is somewhat tall on her gear, so be careful not to land with the gear collapsing as you drive her into the ground. Like Betty Grable, she has long legs, and they’re worth a fortune. So don’t break them.
If you do get a chance in the middle of the cruise, take time to have a look at the exterior of the aircraft. The detail of the model a fantastic, and if you do install the extra liveries, they have a really high quality look. The other views available are just as pretty. (My favourite is the refugee view in the front wheel well.)
Fly by night
Conclusion
Earlier I said that PDMG has a reputation to protect. So I guess the big question is, is it safe? The answer is Yes. Without a doubt yes. The MD-11 is an aircraft that you’ll need months to master. And that has to be the best reason to get it. An aircraft that can be mastered in a weekend or two is fun. But an aircraft that will challenge you for months at a time is a real joy. To nitpick, and it would have to be a nitpick, the tutorial has a few areas that could be written a bit better. Also, it would be nice to have a few girls up on the flight deck for those captain and co-pilots voices. But that’s really more of a general gripe of my own.
The MD-11 only made it to 200 in terms of production, which is a real shame, as she’s a great aircraft. So I have no problem in recommending this to anyone. Forget Boeing. Forget Airbus. Tell your family, tell your friends. The MD-11 is the third way.

CREDIT FROM : http://www.flightsimdaily.com/reviews/pmdg-md-11-review/

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