HELPP!!!!

[tobycool33]

hi im new to cockpitbuilders my name is toby and i have been wanting to build a home boeing77 800 cockpit for many of years now but i have no idea where to start please could someone send plans or links that could help me start of also what i need to buy


many thanks
toby

[Trevor Hale]

Hi Toby. Many users have had the same question. Your best bet here is to search "where to start" in the search box here.  And see where everyone else starts off. There is no guide how to do this and short of telling you to go spend $20,000.00 and have a company build one for you you will have to do research like everyone else does.

If you have specific questions we can better help you with that.

Trev

[vidarf]

http://fagerjord.org/index.php/737-cockpit-project/34-cockpit-related/79-advices-for-builder-noobs

Read it and weep. 
On my website, you'll find lots of information. But as Trevor tells you: do your own research. I cannot tell you all you need to know - you have to learn it yourself. But I will be more than happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

Here's a quick tip for you: make a folder on your computer. Inside that folder, make other folders. Collect images, documents, information and so on, and sort the info within that folder. Soon you'll have a LOT of information, and you can make informed choices.

My 737 project
-overhead
--images
--plans
--real images

-aft overhead
-mip
-throttle
-pedestal
-controls
-interior
-shell
-interface
-software
-misc

Something like that. Order the cockpit companion from Bill Bulfer (google it, it's easy to find). That book will give you ALL the answers on how the aircraft works. Every switch and annunciator, and how and why.

As long as you make sure you are able to USE the sim while you're building, go for it. But it is going to be expensive to get going. Don't let anybody tell you different - unless you're okay with something that looks like a pile of wood with some paint thrown at it.

Read the article I linked to. It is written partly with "tounge in cheek", partly as a bucket of ice down your neck. It is written based on my experience and what I've learned from other builders.

BUT FOLLOW YOUR DREAM! Nothing is impossible, unless you have a morbid fear of learning...

PS: don't be in a rush. Simbuilding takes a lot of time (I've been doing it for 5 years and haven't been able to use my sim yet - just parts of it). Or chuck $30-40.000 to a company and get everything completed for you (and the sim won't be completed even then).

To give you an example: I'm about to spend about $500 on 4 lights from a real aircraft (the overhead map lights and two lights mounted on the sidewalls). I spent about $1200 on my throttle quadrant (a replica, DIY kit).
I really don't know exactly how much I've spent on my sim so far, but I've exceeded $10.000 a long time ago. Sadly, I've spent at least $1000 on stuff I thought I could make on my own, or could not use after all.

Again, read the article - and look on my website for other information. It's a starting point.

[Trevor Hale]

Awesome information Vidar..  Cheers for that.  Toby, take the advice form the expert Read Vidar's information.  We have all been where you are now, and with out help you will get to where you want to be.

Trev

[tobycool33]

Thanks for all your help guess im going to take it all on board and research,


Thanks again,
Toby