There she is in all her detailed glory at the gate prior to departure. APU started, given the wind direction (not bothering with the awful FS ATC any more) I've opted for a runway 13 departure. It's a hazy morning, with cloud cover broken at around 3,000; visibility about 5 miles. Makes for some stunning views though.
Nice details such as the ice spray from the wheels when taxiing. Flaps set to 15 for takeoff, flight time is estimated to be approximately 3:30, with a cruising altitude of 330 initially, although I'll probably go higher once some fuel has been burned off. Take off thrust has been set to 60k becuase there's no need for the extra 2k as the runway is long enough. I haven't de-rated the engines though.
Preparing for departure on runway 13, I think this screenshot speaks for itself. It looks stunning doesn't it. The MD-11 has a unique autoflight mode, in that once it's armed, and the throttles advance past 66% N1, they will clamp and lock, according to the FMC thrust settings which are autoselected for you. You can turn it all off of course, but it flies beautifully. The speed on climb out is adjusted only by pitching up or down more, the throttles will stay at 'climb', so it's up to you to adjust it by the angle of attack (I don't think it will overspeed though, as flaps and slats are left deployed until passing 10,000 at which point we speed up anyway.)
G-BPMD climbs out into the morning haze
Again during the climb out, after getting through the ground haze still a lot of cloud about but it does look very dramatic indeed at this time of the morning.
Passing 10,000 no smoking signs and seatbelts are switched off. Not that smoking is allowed any more on aircraft lol....
At FL330, a beautiful winter's day over a frozen Canadian landscape.
Descending.
Landing gear deployed. I like how on the MD-11 you can opt to not lower the middle gear. As we're not too heavy, I've left this up. Flaps 28, gear down, final turn to align for the visual runway 25 approach into Thunder Bay.
On finals into Thunder Bay; at 160 knots. Flaps 50; spoilers armed and ready for rapid decceleration because that runway's pretty short at only 5,000 feet!
Touchdown.
After arrival at the gate, engines off APU started; waiting for PAX to disembark.
Well, I'm hooked. This new MD-11 is by far and away the most complete aircraft I've had the pleasure of flying on FS. It's very elegant with the way it's autoflight systems work, and is a true joy to fly and very satisfying. Once you know the systems, it's very very easy to fly and vastly reduces pilot workload compared to some of the other jet's I've flow. Righto, here's the stats:Time of Departure (from 13): 10:43 UTC
Time of Arrival (at gate): 14:05 UTC
Flight time = 3:22
Distance Covered = 1473NM
Accrued Distance=4118NM
Total time in the air so far=10 hours 44 minutes
Total time in the air so far=10 hours 44 minutes
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