The Mighty MD-11

I recently added a new "heavy" to the hangar and while it is an older add-on created by Precision Manuals Development Group (PMDG), I have always wanted to experience it.  I have completed a few "test" flights and the MD-11 is a real joy to fly.  The FMC is a little different compared to the Boeing and Airbus offerings but it definitely helped having experience with various FMC setups.  The mode control panel is also operated in a different manner but after a few flights, I think I'm getting the hang of it.  Granted, all of my flights have been done off-line so a real test will need to take place in a controlled VATSIM environment.  The profile climbs and descents are very smooth and the flight computer does a great job of keeping the plane "on profile" for the various altitudes and flight restrictions.  In fact, it seems to be a little too easy but I'm not complaining....it allows for great screenshots on arrival.  With this flight, I located FedEX 986 on FlightAware and quickly created the flight with Simbrief (a great web page for flight planning).  I departed the FedEx cargo parking at KDEN after receiving a "de-icing" treatment and I was off to RWY 25 for a COORZ3 departure to the west.  Flightbeam's KDEN software is a must have for those who fly in and out of Denver and the performance is great and the rendition of the airport is spot on.  After crossing the Rocky Mountains I climbed to FL370 and enjoyed a smooth ride until TOD.  The MADN5 approach was programmed into the FMC and a smooth visual landing was completed on RWY 30 at KOAK.  Another flight in the books and now I have a problem with FSX.....which plane do I fly :-)  Until next time, enjoy the screenshots and I'm looking forward to future adventures into the virtual world of FSX!

Add-ons used:

FSX w/DirectX 10 Enabled
Zinertek HD Airport Graphics
Flight Environment X
Flightbeam KDEN
PMDG MD-11F
FSDreamteam GSX
ActiveSky Next
Orbx Global/Orbx Vector/Orbx Northern California