I agree with PRH, it is a grasshopper but you say it is 11 inches long? That would be a real monster. Over here they are about four inches long and are harmless. They can fly short distances (more like a flight assisted hop), and if you pick it up it might make a mess in your hand of stinky black liquid that resembles tobacco spit.
If yours is almost a foot long though, it is probably looking to devour small pets and children 😛
-PK