Originally Posted by Jetjok

It's been almost a year since my Mad Dog days , but it seems to me that you are correct in your assumption of why the number 3 motor is started first. From my limited systems knowledge, it seems to me that the two brake systems on the MD-11 are supplied by hydraulics from the number 1 and 3 engines. It'd be nice to have brakes, once you get a motor started. I don't believe it has anything to do with electrics or air conditioning. But then again, I'm old, with a very short memory, and it's late, and bingo at the old folks home tonight just plain wore me out.