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Flight Simulation

The Martinair Cargo MD-11 on a virtual VFR approach in Innsbruck

Manually flying a huge aircraft like the MD-11F to make a virtual landing in Innsbruck surely will be fun for most flight simulation enthusiasts. Since the Innsbruck airport and its surroundings have been redesigned under ORBX Innsbruck, the immersion feeling is total. The landscape is absolutely fantastic.

A virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F is airborne from runway 26 at the Innsbruck airport (LOWI)
A virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F is airborne from runway 26 at the Innsbruck airport (LOWI)

Start by taking-off from runway 08. Anybody standing near the fence at the end of the runway will feel the blast. Then, gain enough altitude to be able to do a 180 degree turn to realign the aircraft for runway 26.

A PMDG MD-11F preparing for a visual approach runway 08 at Innsbruck
A PMDG MD-11F preparing for a visual approach runway 08 at Innsbruck

Make sure to activate the “air turbulence” option on your virtual weather engine, since an approach near the mountains in Innsbruck generates enough turbulence to make your approach more difficult. The pilot must also, for this exercise, deal with the actual winds even if they do not favor runway 26.

Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F approaching the Innsbruck airport (LOWI)
Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F approaching the Innsbruck airport (LOWI)

The flaps must be adjusted to 50 degrees for the MD-11F. Insure that the “Autopilot” function is set at “OFF”. The intensity of the automatic breaking is chosen according to the actual winds, the aircraft’s cargo load and the altitude of the airport. The margin of manoeuver with regards to the approach speed is not very large. I tried to maintain 150 kts.

A virtual PMDG MD-11F with full flaps (50 degrees) on final for runway 08 in Innsbruck
A virtual PMDG MD-11F with full flaps (50 degrees) on final for runway 08 in Innsbruck

The Innsbruck runway is 2000 meters long. There is not much leeway for the MD-11F.

Virtual PMDG MD-11F arriving for runway 08 at Innsbruck
Virtual PMDG MD-11F arriving for runway 08 at Innsbruck
Virtual PMDG MD-11F breaking runway 08 in Innsbruck
Virtual PMDG MD-11F breaking runway 08 in Innsbruck

Once on the ground, you must continue until the end of runway 26 in order to do a 180 degree turn. There is just enough space for the MD-11F.

Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F backtracking runway 08 at Innsbruck
Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F backtracking runway 08 at Innsbruck

As you can see in the image below, looking at the windsock, the landing was made with a good tailwind.

Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F exiting the runway at Innsbruck
Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F exiting the runway at Innsbruck

The airport is superbly represented and a parking space is already reserved for bigger aircrafts. Employees are waiting for your arrival.

Innsbruck virtual airport and the Martinair Cargo MD-11F
Innsbruck virtual airport and the Martinair Cargo MD-11F
PMDG virtual MD-11F parked at the Innsbruck airport in Austria
PMDG virtual MD-11F parked at the Innsbruck airport in Austria
Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F parked at the Innsbruck airport
Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F parked at the Innsbruck airport

You can try landing with any other big carrier if you do not already own a PMDG virtual MD-11. If you would like to acquire this aircraft, you will realize that it is no longer offered by PMDG, at least for now. Try to put some pressure on the company so that they restart offering the aircraft on which they have put in so much effort. A message on their Facebook site should show your interest: PMDG

If you would like to see an exceptional two hour aviation video on a real flight that lasted ten days across the world, there is none better than the one made by PilotsEYE.tv: Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F in Quito

PilotsEye DVD on a ten day worldwide trip with a Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F
PilotsEye DVD on a ten day worldwide trip with a Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F

You witness part of the crew’s planning for a landing on the old Quito runway, in Ecuador. The airport’s altitude is so high that the MD-11F margin of manoeuver is extremely limited. Make sure to own a player that can decode European videos.

Have a good flight!

Click on the link for other challenging virtual flights on my blog.