The Home Cockpit Support Forum

Hello all, my name is vince and im new to the forum. I just recently decided to build a home cockpit and am starting to save my money. I was wondering two things... Im planning on builing either a 737-700, 767-300, or 747-400.. Any one have any suggestions on which plane to build? Also i was wondering what u guys do 2 make the screen go all across both wind screens? (i hope u understnad what i mean) is it just a large computer screen??? thanks for the helpSemper FiLCOL Vince Siperelli-KC-130T-30

Hello, Been messing with this for awhile and I cant figure out what the issue is. I built my display controller, flashed everything and all seems normal. Put the jumpers back to normal position..etc. At first I had the wrong 7 segment displays, so I bought some different ones P/N MAN4440A made by Fairchild. They are .4 inch displays but instead of having the pins on top like the provided PCB has it, I had to create my own PCB for the LED Displays to solder to since this display has the pins down the side of each unit. Ok no problem. Fired up my PCB creation software and made a PCB for it. I copied where each pin goes from the old PCB and matched my new PCB so that each pi…

I've come across this site that explains how to use a PSU without the need of a motherboard.Best regards,Pedrohttp://modtown.co.uk/mt/article2.php?id=psumod

Hi all,I have a question that I'm hoping someone can assist with. I have an annunciator panel from a 727 that I will be using as the glareshield annunciator in my KA350 sim. It has 17 discrete annunciators with two lamps each for a total of 34. Right now the lamps are a mix of CM387 and CM327 incandescent bulbs - 2 in each annunciator. These are 28VDC lamps drawing .04 amps. (http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Chicago%20Miniature/Web%20Data/327,385,387.pdf) I need some advice on a driver interface for this unit and I am looking for an LED equivalent, or barring that, a 12VDC lamp, for obvious reasons... I'm shying away from FSBus because I really don't have the wherewit…

Made an update to my Cessna 421c site today. Construction should begin in two weeks if all goes well. (But daddy, I want an Oompa-Loompa NOW!!)Thanks again to everyone here for the great ideas!

Hi all...I am using FSBUS for my interface. My next challenge is to wire up all my switches to FSBUS etc. The problem I have is a I know very little on how to wire up stuff. All I remember from college is V=IR. If my switch is 28V max and rated at 0.4VA is the resistance I need to have R=28V/0.4VA in this circuit from FSBUS to switch ? Also if anyone knows of a link for understand basic electrics that would be really helpful..Thanks again for everyon'e help..

OKay all... The moment you've all been waiting for! I finally decided what sim id like to build.... its the 737-800. I took alot of time on thinking which airplane to fly and i tihnk the 737NG would b a great plane, agreed? Im now plannoing on getting my FMC, PFD, and ND from project magenta. (any suggestions?) and now im looking for a nice 737 throttle qaud, overhead panel and some side panels, clocks, and a nice 737 control column if anyone has any suggestions id apprechiate itthanks for everyones elseVince

Hi All...I built a twin throttle quadrant by using 2 CH Yokes and their pots. Initially when I set everything up it worked fine in FS and the Windows setting control panel recognized them etc...After a 2 month lay-off I went to try and use it again but for some reason Windows only recognizes 1 USB in the settings/control panel/gaming options. I see 2 USB options in window but when I click on one of them it doesn't stay on it and jumps down to the other one...thus I only have one set of pots working on Flight sim...Don't know what's happening. If anyone has any ideas I would certainly appreciate your help...many thanks...JB

Hi,Just started to build my C172SP pit. I am using Simkits instruments but decided to build the instrument panel myself. Since I wanted to use plywood but hate painting I have been looking alternative materials. I read the story of Rory Gillies, who covered his panel with plastic and spray painted it, but have no clue what plastic he used to cover the panel. Since I hate painting, I searched a local DIY shop (Formido for all dutchies)for alternatives. I found Elesgoflex flexible laminate (http://www.elesgoflex.com)and decided to try it. Two colours seem to be suitable for panel building; antraciet which I use for my panel and is very close to the real Cessna colour and li…

I've just posted an update to the FreeFD instruments.You get a first glance at the new CDU work in progress. Everything is now packaged in a new installer.All of the instruments have been re-written to use home grown fonts, results are much fast than previous versions. Added standby instruments.Installer also includes glut32.dll needed to run the gauges.I've also set up a newsgroup server for bug/feature/comments.Cheers!Don.

Hi Guys,I have several encoders and pushbutton switches perfect for the home cockpit you're building. I bought these expecting to build my own cockpit one day, but with the birth of our first child that dream has been put in the "backburner". Please [a href=http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=send_mesg&u_id=113966" target="_blank]"Private Message"[/a] me if interested in any of these items. Prices are not negotiable since these items are new and I paid more than what im asking. I will ship to USA and Canada only. You can view my feedback at Ebay under [a href=http://cgi2.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=yohko69" target="_blank]yohko69[/a]. This…

Hi allI'm at my wits end here. I have built myself a COM board and a KEY board. When trying to flash for the first time I get the famous "read after write check failed" error message.I have searched the forum and checked, double checked and tripple checked my PCB to no avail. I don't "seem" to have any shorts. I have 12.5V on pin 4, 0V on pin 5, 4.0V on pin 12 and 13, 4.5V on pin 14 on the PIC. Also I don't seem to get connected to the COM board. The FSBus2 Router is showing not connected, as opposed to FSBus Router 1.30 which seems to connect even if I don't have the COM board connected! How can I check this?What I would like to ask you guys is really how to logically tr…

Hello :-)I'm buiding a F16 Simpit who's working with Falcon4 SP3.I have a programmable keybord and a X-Keys matrix for the switches.I want to use the " Parallel port Led driver programm from Robert Favre " ( Is working with a MM5451 chips ) so I can have more that 32 Led's who are working with Falcon ( Gear lights, master caution light, missile launch light etc... )But I dont find the Falcon2_4.zip or Falcon2_4.exe file for this programm.Can somebody help me to found this programm file or give me Robert Favre E-mail adress ???? I Thank you for your help :-)

LVDTs are position sensors that get used in tough environments. They are simple, robust, and can be very linear. They could be used as an alternative to potentiometers where linearity is an issue or where increased sensitivity to small movement is needed.LVDTs are rather less common than potentiometers, and rather more expensive.Given their basic simplicity, I decided to have a go at building one. After an investment about two dollars and as many hours, I had an LVDT that works surprisingly well.Details, pictures, etc. are here: http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/lvdts.htmMikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

As the project is in developing, i have more & more things to face for my first time!Now, my question is if it's possible with FsBus Display to see the IAS in mach, when MACH is enable.I made some attemps with Fsbus2, but the display was changing for a moment in MACH and was returning back in Knots (250). Is there something else i have to do to force it display the Mach (.43) ? The second thing is that i noticed some values working fine in std Fs2002 values/offsets and not in PM's. The example is the vertical speed. In PM when V/S is minus there is a big problem, when at the same time in std FS is working fine. Also i noticed that when i change in Pm th V/S i have th…

I thought I'd post a few pics about our sim project at the aviation club. I have mentioned a bit of it every now and then, but I figured I could post a few pics and maybe they are inspirational to someone.It's being built on a C150 front section, we have built seats from plywood, made a plywood instrument panel etc. We are using SimKits instruments for the panel, and doing radios with FSBUS. http://tigert.gimp.org/vatsim/albums/mik_simu/aaf.sized.jpgHere we are salvaging the fuselage from the backyard of the airport. I'm the one needing a haircut badly :)http://tigert.gimp.org/vatsim/albums/mik_simu/aav.sized.jpegThe door needed some persuasion to let the thing go thro…

Found this nice tool at Sportys.http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&U...t_ID=572&DID=19It's a flight guide of the East coast (they have others) that shows airport layout, frequencies, etc. Still need those sectionals though.Also explains atc communucation, airport operation, airspace procedures and more. $37.50 plus one year of free updates.Much easier than pausing FS while I look for info in Map View. Nice sim tool.Richard

Has everyone seen this?http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/New...l/simulator.htmMikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Hi,I am considering build a cockpit using FSbus with FS2004.Is FSbus compatible with FS2004 and do I need to register fsuipc for it to work.Thank you you any help.Christos P.

Hello all,Does anyone know how much rotational travel an actual aircraft trim wheel have, say in a cessna or a similar aircraft? In other words, how many turns or degrees can you turn it from neutral to nose-up trim, and from neutral to nose down trim before the trim wheel ACTUALLY STOPS SPINNING?And last but not least, how do you determine what the take-off trim setting is? provided it's not marked. (for example when flying the cessna in the simulator).ThanksSean W.

I would like to build a DC-3 yoke for my sim. I've pretty much figured out how I 'll make it, BUT I need to know how to wire the connectors to joystick port and then use a USB adapter. Can someone tell me what pins I would need to connect the pots to. A wiring diagram would be so nice.also weither sliding or rotory pots work best.

Look what I found, from what I understand it works the same way knitter-switches MRP1-20 does:********************Mfr. Alps A small and compact rotating pulse sensor for PCB mounting. Provides 20 pulses/rotation, with direction indication. Can be used as a sensor for setting programmes in home electronics, or as a sensor for measuring instruments and control equipment. Clockwise rotation provides contact between pins 1 and 2, while anti-clockwise rotation provides contact between pins 3 and 4. Pulses/rotation: 20 Breaking capacity: 100 mA, 16 Vdc Contact resistance: ≤50 mΩ Insulation resistance: 1

http://www.ballardtech.com/productpage.asp?product=busbox I was wondering if this could be of any use? Jim

All,I've posted some pics from this weekend's conference at my site...http://www.mmorrell.com/avsimTom - thanks for a great conference, great time, great people. Donna and I had a GREAT time both at the conference and at the socials. What a great bunch of people... Everyone should try to make one of these!Looking forward to next year... -Mitch Morrell

A truly fantastic article appeared in the today's "Circuits" section regarding our home built cockpits. Of course all of the masters were quoted and mentioned...Price, Ford, Schiratti,Cos, Prather and Hirayama. It also mentioned that the FBI will leave us alone so long as we use our pits for entertainment only. Makes for great reading...