Rotate MD-11 Manual.

Introduction & Product Information

Introduction
&
Product Information

Index:

1. Presentation
1. 1. Systems Description.
1. 2. Tutorial Flight
1. 3. Limitations & Checklists

2. License

3. Disclaimer

4. Acknowledgements

5. Requirements
5. 1. Hardware requirements
5. 2. Software requirements

6. Installation

7. Support

8. Database

9. Aircraft menu

10. Manipulators

11. VR controllers

12. Hardware controllers

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

1. Presentation
The Rotate MD-11 is an aircraft add-on for Laminar’s X-Plane 11 that simulates the original
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Freighter version.
This manual consists of three volumes:
1) Systems Description,
2) Tutorial Flight and
3) Pilot Handbook.

1. 1. Systems Description.
Each system of the aircraft is in a dedicated PDF file. These systems are:

1. Aircraft General
2. Air
3. Aural/Visual Warning
4. Automatic Flight
5. APU
6. Communications
7. Electrical
8. Emergency Equipment
9. Fire Protection

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

10. Flight Controls

11. Flight Instruments
12. Fuel
13. Hydraulics
14. Ice and Rain Protection
15. Lighting
16. Navigation
17. Engines
18. Doors
19. Landing Gear

1. 2. Tutorial Flight
Although the Systems Description could be sufficient to understand how the aircraft works, it
may not be so to operate the aircraft. For that matter we have included a Tutorial Flight
showing the normal procedures. Abnormal procedures are excluded from this tutorial.

1. 3. Limitations & Checklists

This includes one PDF for each item: Limitations and Checklists. These are only the Normal
Checklists.

2. License
The Rotate MD-11 is released under the terms specified in the License.rtf (or License.txt)
document inside the aircraft folder. As part of the development of this software, other third
party libraries have been used and/or redistributed, in sources or binary form, according to
the conditions specified in the corresponding license documents included in the software
package.

3. Disclaimer
The real McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is a very complex commercial airliner, which also has
quite a few unique features. Although our model entails a high level of simulation, it is not a
fully 100% simulated model. Features in the original may include things that have not been
represented in the simulation, as well as features may have been added or adapted to the
scope of a software simulation that are different from the original model.
Due to its complexity and the level of simulation, improper operation of the aircraft and its
resulting bad behavior may be mistakenly attributed to a malfunction. In those cases it’s
important to read the appropriate section of the manual. Pay special attention to the
operation of the aircraft within its performance limits.

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

Important note: This manual and the model to which it refers are intended only for
recreational purposes, not for professional simulation or for real aviation.

4. Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following contributors and beta testers:

William Chardack
Joseph Chamberlain
Arno from Lufthansa Cargo
Robert Boone
SwissairMD11 (Max)
Gustavo Luna
Chas
David Malka
James Burns
Saul Galeno
Matt Bromback
Helmuth Moya
Cloud Surfer
Greg Jarchow, former MD-11 pilot
Wybe Witteveen
Johan van de Peppel
Atarium Liveries

5. Requirements

5. 1. Hardware requirements
The following hardware and system characteristics are the recommended minimal setup to
run this product at sufficient frame-rate. The software will run in systems with lower settings,
but the frame-rate could be compromised.

Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 3.4GHz, or AMD equivalent.

System RAM: 8 GB.
Hard Disk Usage: 2.0 GB.
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti / Radeon RX 470 (VRAM 4GB or more recommended).
An Internet connection is required for license activation and management (not for playing).

The Rotate MD-11 has been designed to optimize performance and to achieve an optimal
CPU/GPU balance. However, it makes intensive use of CPU and graphics card, so make

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

sure to adjust X-Plane settings according to your hardware and the addons that you use in
combination with this aircraft. Remember that in X-Plane you can tune parameters like
“Number of World Objects”, “Reflection Detail” and “Shadows” that will affect your CPU
usage. Additionally, we will provide a set of 2k textures to reduce VRAM load for those with
low VRAM.
You can get more info about hot to tune X-Plane settings here:
https://www.x-plane.com/manuals/desktop/#settingtherenderingoptionsforbestperformance

5. 2. Software requirements
This software is an aircraft add-on for X-Plane Flight Simulator by Laminar Research. It is
meant to be run in X-Plane 11, for Windows, OSX and Linux platforms. It will run on X Plane
64-bit architecture only. 32-bit systems are not supported.
In OSX systems you will need to authorize execution of the software. For that before running
the Rotate MD-11 the first time, open the Terminal app in your OSX, type this line
substituting the path to your Rotate MD-11 installation (without the [ ]) and press “enter”:
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine [Rotate-MD-11 folder full path].
You will also need:
For all platforms:
● 64-bit Operative system.
● Laminar Research X Plane 64b v11.55.

Windows:
● Microsoft Windows 8, 10 64b.
● Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 (x64) Redistributable.
OSX:
● OSX 10.11 and up.
● OpenGL Framework.
Linux:
● GLIBC v2.27 (Ubuntu 18.04).
● OpenGL.

6. Installation
To install the add-on, copy the Rotate-MD-11 folder, contained in the compressed
package, to any of the folders inside Aircrafts of your X-Plane installation. The installation
path will look like this:
X-Plane 11/Aircrafts/Rotate-MD-11.

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

First load and license activation

Launch X-Plane and select the Rotate-MD-11 and any airport in the “Flight Configuration”
page. Select “Start Flight”.
Once loaded, an activation window will pop up. Follow the instructions to complete the
activation process.
After a successful activation you will be asked to reload the aircraft. Do so, and the aircraft
will be loaded and fully operational.

7. Support
The Rotate Team will provide customer support for the product during the commercial
availability of the product.
There will be a support forum at:
forums.x-plane.org
You can also contact the support team and open a ticket through the Rotate Support Center:
support.rotatesim.com
For commercial support (anything regarding your purchase, download and so on) you should
contact your product distributor.

8. Database
This software uses a third party Navigation Database to provide advanced navigation
procedures inside the FMS. The current distribution includes an outdated version of this
database, courtesy of Aerosoft GmbH.
Most third party distributors of Navigation Databases should have a product compatible with
this aircraft.
How to update automatically:
Most Navigation Databases products have an installation manager which automates the
installation. Consult your provider for support on these products.
How to update manually:
The third party navigation database is installed locally in the “nav-data” folder inside the
aircraft’s folder structure.
Completely remove and substitute the contents of that folder with an updated compatible
navigation database and it will be made accessible to the FMS on reload.
Be aware that using a non compatible database or partially rewriting the contents of the
“nav-data” folder may cause malfunction or totally inhibit the execution of this software. If
that happens you can reinstall from the original distribution package.

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

9. Aircraft menu
There is a Rotate MD-11 Aircraft Menu that will allow you to set a number of options and
perform various tasks, such as fuel and cargo load, open the doors, set failures and so on.
The menu is accessible through the X-Plane Plugins Menu:

The Aircraft Menu has four tabs, dedicated to: Options, Load Manager, Ground Operations
and Failures:

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

All menus are pretty much self explanatory, but the Load Manager needs some clarification:

The graphic shows the Zero Fuel Weight Center of Gravity (ZF-CG) and the Take Off Weight
Center of Gravity (TO-CG) for a given weight. Y axis represents weight (units are set in the
options tab) and X axis represents the deviation of CG as a percentage of the MAC (Mean
Aerodynamic Chord). The lines represent the ZF-CG and TO-CG limits. TO-CG and ZF-CG
values are shown below the graphic, along with the Take Off Weight (TOW), the Zero Fuel
Weight (ZFW) and the Landing Weight (LW). For the Landing Weight to be calculated, the

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pilot must enter the estimated Trip Fuel. The Payload CG must also be entered manually.
For further explanation on how to load the aircraft, see the Tutorial Flight.

10. Manipulators
Manipulators are used to manipulate cockpit elements like switches, handles, knobs,
buttons, etc.
You can click over the hot-spots to manipulate switches, buttons, knobs and handles. They
operate as on/off toggles, or increasing/decreasing the position of knobs and handles. They
are represented by a hand or arrow symbols when the mouse is passed over them in the 3D
cockpit. Some manipulators may require click & drag to be operated. Additionally, most
manipulators in the form of knobs or wheels can be operated with the mouse-wheel as well.
You can highlight the mouse hot-spots in the 3D cockpit by activating X-Plane’s option
“Show Instruments Click Regions” in the “View” menu.

11. VR controllers
The simulation provides basic compatibility with VR hardware, relaying all functionality in
X-Plane’s support for these devices. We have customized manipulators and hotspots to
make VR integration as smooth as possible. However, we cannot guarantee that controls will
be fully functional and/or calibrated in all cases and for all gear.

12. Hardware controllers

The simulation provides support out of the box for the usual hardware configuration with
joystick/yoke without pedals using the regular X-Plane axes. The default axes for the usual
controls, i.e. elevator, ailerons and rudder work with the default configuration. Dedicated toe
brakes and tiller with continuous controllers require selection in the Aircraft Menu (see
below). Throttle handles will also work with default axes for 1 or 3 configuration handles.
Many of the most used commands in X-Plane already work. Additionally, there are custom
commands for every configurable action of our simulation ready to be assigned to buttons or
keystrokes via the X-Plane menus.
Some controls like flaps and speedbrake handles can be operated through commands or
continuous axes. We recommend the use of commands to get the correct animations of the
complex mechanisms of the handle. When using continuous axes on controls that have
a simulated servo or continuous movement like flaps or speedbrakes, you may
experience discrepancies between the hardware controller and the simulation. To avoid
this behavior we recommend (again) using commands to drive these controls.
When using pedals for brakes, have in mind that axis assignments take precedence over
the commands. When toe-brakes axis are assigned and check-box is selected in the menu,
they drive all braking, and should work the way you would expect combined with park brake
handle, that is, to release park brake you press toe-brakes and handle is released. If

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

hardware toe brakes is not assigned (or check-box is not selected), then the default
commands to control the brakes are used.
In the case of the throttle handles, we recommend using one lever to control the three
throttle handles if you experience problems with the three lever configuration (the three lever
configuration is not working correctly in some hardware). Whenever the hardware throttle
handles are not in sync with virtual (3D cockpit) actuating them will do nothing until you
“capture” the current virtual position. To help visually match both, an amber "ghost handle" is
rendered indicating the current hardware's position when you move the controller. Those
amber handles disappear after a couple seconds after they stop moving. ATS servos will
override hardware position when active, therefore moving them out of sync again.
When hardware controllers are moved too fast, hardware/virtual sync might be lost. Move
your hardware towards the virtual position to capture the controller again. Autothrottle
system may move the virtual handles when engaged.
For reversers, if hardware switches are included in the throttle axes, you'll need to edit your
hardware curve to match 0 throttle (idle) to just BEFORE the reverser switch is triggered,
and assign the reverser switch to the corresponding reverser "hold" command.
Finally, make sure you calibrate the neutral position of the yoke. Uncalibrated neutral
position of the yoke can lead to interference with the Autopilot PIDs. This can in turn lead to
parasite AP roll/pitch commands and problems engaging the AFS.
Follow X-Plane’s instructions on how to configure different types of hardware controllers and
on how to assign functions to controls and keyboard keystrokes.
Be aware that we cannot provide support for every hardware controller model out there.
Some controllers may need a specific middleware or advanced configuration that is out of
the scope of our simulation.
To avoid issues regarding brakes and tiller, if you are using hardware toe-brakes and/or
tiller you should assign them in X-Plane menu and then check the following boxes in the
Options tab inside the Rotate MD-11 Aircraft Menu: “Use hardware controller toe-brakes”
and “Use hardware controller tiller”.

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 Rotate MD-11 Manual. Introduction & Product Information

If you are not using hardware controllers for toe-brakes and/or tiller, then leave the
respective boxes unchecked.
Currently there are two ways of operating the reversers (this may change in the future).
1) The easy way is to assign the "hold thrust reversers at max" to a button (or a lever that
works as a button). In this way you can't control the amount of reverse thrust.
2) The other way is to assign the "toggle thrust reversers" to a button (or a lever that works
as a button). The operation will then be: 1) toggle reversers and wait until "REV" is
displayed in green at each N1 indicator, then advance the throttles to regulate the
amount of reverse thrust. If you don't wait until "REV" is displayed, thrust reverse will be
canceled.
Two important notes: 1) In each case, you can assign either X-Plane default commands for
"hold thrust reversers at max" and "toggle thrust reversers" or our custom commands. 2) If
you have one throttle axis in your hardware, you will of course assign the general commands
"hold thrust reversers at max" or "toggle thrust reversers". But if you have more than one
lever in your hardware, you'll have to assign one command per lever: "toggle thrust
reversers #1" and so on (again, you can assign either X-Plane default commands or our
custom ones).

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