Hello from the desert!

[jrsteensen]

Good afternoon all!

Just wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is John Steensen and I am from Sierra Vista, AZ. Got off active duty as a Military Police soldier a couple of years ago (including a couple of years in Baghdad) and am now a mechanical designer/lead draftsman for one of the big aerospace/defense companies supporting an Army UAV. I am still in the Army Reserves as a 31E ("Cage Kicker").

Been designing and building simulator cockpits since high school. Fully built an F-16, and did a touch screen A-10. Got married, had three kids, and ran out of room for the pits. Had to sell them. Ugh. My F-16 I built while still living the barracks. (My 1SG warned me multiple times during room inspections that my ACES II had better not be functional...)

With the pending release of DCS: F/A-18 I've decided to start designing a F/A-18D. The two cockpits will be structurally separate, and I will build the forward cockpit first. My about to be 6 year old eldest son has the same enthusiasm for aviation that I do. Figured he could be my WSO. I have the structure 50% complete, and the center pedestal 40% complete. (Working on a UFC design currently.)

I have a Shapeoko based 3 axis CNC router, and am in the process of planning a 3D printer build, and have a friend with a full sized 3 axis router and laser. I am planning on building everything myself from scratch. (With a little bit of help on electronics.)

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you, and reading through the forums a little, it looks like an amazing community. I'm proud to be a part of it.

[jskibo]

Welcome!

Sounds like you have a lot of experience already, but plenty of great folks here to bounce ideas off of.  See SimLady, Blueskydrivers wife, she's building her F16 now....I think to knock John's 737 out of the sky

[fsaviator]

Looking forward to seeing your build.  Welcome

[sagrada737]

Welcome to the neighborhood John.  It sounds like you have some new inspiration for your new F18 project.  I'm sure your son will be a great WSO, and a willing helper on the project.  Best wishes!

Mike