Please don't lump me into the category of a "flightsim enthusiast who knows it all" because I started this thread wanting to learn and I am still learning.
This thread was civil but some people took it a little personal so if we can keep it confined to the topic at hand I think we can all continue learning. :-)
My next question is, can max continuous thrust (I've seen it quoted as 46000lbs or so) be maintained all the way to to cruise? At what altitude does the engine start losing the ability to create 46000lbs? I know the thinning air planes a big role in the engine's reduction of power.