Hey Everyone,
Karen and I have been really silent on CB since this past Spring, and likely some folks might've thought we left the hobby altogether. However, here we are just like before, coming back from one hobby and going to the other. We start doing the our RC Airplane hobby in April and go until late August or early September, and then we come back too our simulators.
Anyway, while starting this post/topic I got to thinking about the many postings concerning the location or placement of a builders' sim(s). Discussions about heating & cooling, electrical requirements, room size requirements, and so on are buried in all types of other subjects/posts, and finding them is random or done through the search engine, if you know what you're looking for. Rather then huntng for something that you might not know too ask, can we have a new Main Page topic that might be labeled "Simulator Placement Locations"?
Then, we can all place are conversations regarding such needs under that title. And, since it is one of the most important aspects of building a simulator...location, location, location...we can all help each other make better decisions prior too starting a project. In regards to that, I will add this as my first post under that title:
Simulator Building Should Be Your First Thought...
I will say that because my simulator building is now coming nearly 10 years after I got into this hobby! Yep, as of today, we will finally have a contractor build a 40'x66' shed with in floor heating/cooling. The ground work has started and it should be completed by October 1st. After that it'll be the big project of the winter...moving the simulator from the garage to the new shed. Hopefully, I can document it all and post those aspects of the simulator building that will help others make better decisions as too where their sim will be located.
Here is pic of a shed similar too what we're getting; same colors, but minus some of the big doors, the windows and the steeple on top:
Best Regards,
John
Nice John,
Just wish I had the space. Look forward to your postings.
Les
my two cents bigger doors the wider the better have the t shirt to prove small ( standard is not good ) 16ft and wider is :-)
Hey John. Good to know you are still alive and kicking! Look forward to following this and maybe a few phone conversations??? hint hint lol......
The more I think about it the more I like John's idea. As I contemplate tearing my sim down again to move back to the US in less than a year, I realize it will be the third hangar for this sim, and the fifth hangar in general over my building career.
It sure would be nice to have a one stop shop for measurements, screen ideas, materials, etc
Hey Bob and Trevor, so what do you think about this idea?
John
Check it out everyone, "Simulator Hangars" is your new forum area for all things too do with the location of your sim. Be it a specialized building, garage, shed, basement or spare bedroom please post here any questions or comments that you have.
The focus is to discuss the needs and requirements of locating your simulator; for example, electrical, heat and/or cooling, building sizes, building codes based on your area/city/state/country, and etc. You could include transportating of your simulator since it is a part of locating it; assuming, it's a real cockpit. Meaning, you should discuss how you got it there and/or moved into the placement location.
Please thank Trevor for setting this up, he is really supportive of our community...
Best Regards,
John
That's great John!
As I tear my sim down for packing, I'll take some "reverse-engineered"photos off the "hangar" to post
Hey Everyone,
Here are some pictures of the new hangar in progress. I thought we would have a webcam up, but the area between the hanger and garage is only 5 feet and I didn't want it knocked down by the building crew. So, Karen and I opted just too take pictures every other day. These are from this past weekend; they're attached.
You'll notice that there are no windows and only 2 walk-in doors. The one along the side is directly across from the garage access door. We're planning too have a brezzeway between the two doors, so that way I don't have to go outside in the snow during the winter months.
John
I want to be your neighbor!
Is that a real shell hiding under the tarping?
Quote from: quid246 on November 09, 2015, 08:01:17 PM
Is that a real shell hiding under the tarping?
If I am not mistaken, that is a Boeing waiting for the parking space..........
Yep, she's waiting in the wings...
John
Just took a few more pics about 5 mintues ago of the current phase the hangar is in. The builders left right before then...they put the roof on in one day! If not for the weather they could've put this whole shed up in a week.
Next phase is more sand for the floor too even it out, and then foam board with a lot of water tubing on top of it for the in-floor heating. After that, it'll be 4 inches of cement covering it all, and then the garage door will be added about 3-4 days afterwards; we have allow for drying times. We should be able too move in come December, it's just a matter of making sure the cement is cured enough for the weight of some items.
John
Quote from: blueskydriver on November 10, 2015, 11:57:28 AM
Yep, she's waiting in the wings...
No pun intended I am sure... okay, taking notes here. Going to need a home for my shell in the next month or so (if the weather co-operates)... thinking of doing a 20' x 20' with enough height so that I can put it up on it's back to do the mechanical work.
Here I am again with updates about the hangar build, and let me tell you it has been one heck of ride. Of all things we have done so far I can say the most important is make sure everything you do with a contractor is in writing and in the contract. Make sure you write every detail too who does what, when, where, why and how. This was a problem for us at the end of it all, but we got past it too say the least...
Currently, Karen and I are doing the 2"x4" interior framing for the insulation materials and wall panels. It's going very slow because we cannot turn the heat on yet; otherwise, we'll get moisture on the inside of the metal that will condense, and then actually rain back down on us. Temps in the 20-30 degree range is not bad, but after a few hours you start feeling it.
Is it worth it all? YES! However, if you really want too get the building the way you want it too be, you have to do some of your own work. Sure, you could pay someone to do it exactly your way, but the fun is knowing you did a good amount of it on your own. Like building a simulator, you can buy a turn key sim and know very little about it or go the DIY route, so you learn everything along the way. Of course there is nothing wrong with a turn key sim at all, I am just saying try too learn all that you can before jumping in both feet first...like we kind of did with the hangar (in a way).
I keep saying I will post more pics, but I just keep forgetting too transfer them from my phone or camera, and then post them. I will try later tonight.
John
Hey Everyone,
Here are some pics from a week ago or so. I finally got some time to spend in the house on my computer and that is mainly due to temps being -5F to -15F inside of an unheated building. You can see Karen is looking all bundled up, as she is wearing 4 layers of clothes.
Currently, we just finished putting up 140 each 8ft (or thereabout) 2'x4's, with joist hangers, so that is 280 hangers with 6 nails each (not seen in the photos below). We got smart after the first 30 boards and hangers. We purchased an air compressor type, palm nailer (hammer). Talk about a nice tool for only $42; it is very easy to use and is meant for putting up joist hangers.
We also started installing some R30 paper backed ceiling insulation...we only have to put up 320 4ft batts...lol! Then, we'll have the interior ceiling panels too go up. After that, we can start on the walls, and who knows, we might be done by August at the rate we're going.
Albeit, I am not complaining at all, I am actually very happy too be doing this new hanger. Once it is all done it will be a really special place for me...uh, and Karen says she will have the house back or take the hanger for her Girl Cave...lol.
Best Regards,
John
Geez that's one big hanger there John, are you building a whole 737 to go in there.... 8) ::) :) :) :)
I'm only jealous, ;D
Joe.
Looks great John! I bet Karen was real thrilled about you taking that pic? ;D
Joe- Hey, I do dream of that someday! I am still envious of Joe from Project727, here:
http://project727.xsn.net (http://project727.xsn.net)
He had a good part of a fuselage with his setup; it would be nice to add that portion to mine. However, I got 3 Boeing cockpit sections and Karen's F16 too go in there, so not sure I would have the room. And, our Fire Truck Simulator is still a toss up yet. I fired it up a little while ago to insure everything is working, as I plan to show it to the Tomah, WI Fire Chief tomorrow. He has shown interest in purchasing it from me; if he doesn't but it, it'll go in the hangar for sure... So, I am already feeling like I need an even bigger building...the agony of being a sim builder...uh, sim OCD'er!
Bob- Oh, that was like pic number 5 of trying to get her to smile! Her face was frozen from the cold and she had been out there for a while already. Still, she is a good trooper...she was the one who measured for and put up all the joist hangers. The funny part is she loves musicals and operas, so if I leave her alone listening too that type of music, she'll get anything done...lucky me :idiot:
Hopefully, we'll get some heat soon, as we got the HVAC guy coming tomorrow. There are so many small details too think about when building a shed of this sort. If it were tractors or cows, we'd be done already, but with simulators there are so many things like humidity, power requirements, heating vs cooling, air ventilation, lighting, amount of weight too be placed on the floor, location on the property and so on.
Heck, we never thought about snow coming off the roof, and last week nearly 6 inches of snow on the roof came off. On the east side it wasn't an issue, but on the west side next too the house, it came off and turned into a 4 ft deep by 3ft wide by 63ft long pile. Plus, we have "now learned" the shed is too close to the house, that the snow will hit the garage like thunder, as well as it broke an exterior light fixture on the garage.
Sadly, we...uh, Karen...will need too put up 120 snow jacks (60 per side). So, that is pre-drilling holes for 3 each 1" #10 screws per snow jack. That saying of "small things up"...is so true! Hopefully, the snow will come off gradually with these things; although, we have been thinking about some sort of slide, like a water park slide, too have built in between the garage and shed. This way the snow would fall off, land on the slide, and then slide towards the front of the shed into a pile that can be easily moved with our plow. Plus, a slide of sorts would double as a rain guard all the rest of the year, the hard part is makng it look cosmetically correct in between the two buildings.
More too come...
John
Looks great! I would love to have a building that size . . then I could add a couple more builds and have room for projectors. My wife would probably lose me in the winter . . once heat was in the building I would hibernate with the sims!
Hey Shane,
You should start looking at going for it now! If you plan too either build or have someone build it for you, the best time to buy materials and have things schedule in is over the next two months. Most builders will not tell you that asking for a shed in June and expecting it by August is undoable.
The problem is they're usually just finishing up the spring builds and starting the fall builds; they plan or say 3 months total time from start too finish, but expect more like 5-6 months. Even if you paid more to get it done sooner, it might still be 3 months. The main reason is weather and if it cooperates or not, as well as how many other builds they got going on.
Of course if you do it yourself, do expect the same amount of time or more if you work a day job. Then make sure you plan for rental equipment or getting help from friends or family, which will slow you down. Still, too me it is all worth it, the hard part is realizng that building a shed is like building the simulator...it doesn't happen over night :)
John
Hmm.. Are you sure that's big enough?
:D ;)
Hi Ray,
Well, truth to be told, I wanted a 50'x80', but the area next too the house wasn't long enough. And, if I went out in front of the property I would've had to journey from there to the house. At first I thought no problem out front, but getting lots of snow in the winters, I didn't want to be plowing just to get out there. Plus, my power wheelchair doesn't like subzero temps, it will just stop and lockup sometimes, leaving me sitting there like an ice sculpture...lol.
Still, the 40'x63' is fine, I will happily suffer with it... Although, my advice too anyone is get it bigger then what you will ever need! Having more than enough room is always better over not enough.
John
Hey Everyone,
Just a quick thought, when you go with the DIY approach on your shed, you find yourself up alone at 3AM and with only 8 degrees of warmth, trying too do more stuff. Oh yeah, freezing your butt off is the...uh, fun part...wait, uh frozen part...lol. Good thing I can check Cockpit Builders every so often to distract the thought of being cold.
John
John,
Hurry up and get your internet connection going out there and you can freeze and do CB all at the same time :)
Hi Trevor,
Got it hooked up and freezing for the big CB! Oh Yeah! However, will not be cold much longer, as the heat and electric service will be done this coming Wednesday.
Here are a few pics from last night attached; they're fuzzy because of me breathing on the iPad lens...couldn't help it, the 9F degrees doesn't bode well either.
John
More Progress:
We had the electrcian here yesterday and he got the 100 amp main circuit breaker panel installed, along with wiring all the ceiling lights from the La Crosse Airport that I got from www.publicsurplus.com (http://www.publicsurplus.com)
Additionally, he ran wiring for the in-floor heating unit, the garage door opener, some GFCI outlets, an exterior building light and some three-way light switches. That only leaves for Karen and I too run the other 20 or so circuits and have him come back to check them (saves money this way).
Finally broke down and purchased a kerosene (and other fuel types) torepedo heater that puts out 210k btu of heat, and is rated to heat 3000 sq feet. Talk about a huge difference doing stuff in the shed with some heat over freezing our butts off! Don't know why we didn't buy one sooner? I guess it's that die hard Wisconsin thing, saying "ahhh it ain't even cold yet!" Yeah right, couldn't imagine how much further we'd be if we bought this heater much sooner...
By the way, as a word of advice, you will need this type if heater to get the concrete warmed up enough so it will not crack from trying too heat the floor to fast. In other words, the concrete can crack from temperature shock if you add heat to a really cold floor to fast, so we had too buy the heater anyway; only wish we got it sooner...silly me!
Lastly, I know some of you might have a shed aka hangar already, but I hope that I am encouraging the guys that don't or the guys who don't have simulators yet. If you ever thought about getting or building a simulator, as well as a place too put it, let me say it's not easy and will take time. HOWEVER (shouting that), if Karen and I can do it, anyone else can. Some guys know this about me and some don't, I am bound to a wheelchair and I am getting it done through my friends, family (Karen), and even total strangers. It's all matter of saying "if there is a will, there is a way". So, never say never, nor let anyone else stop you; including, even those really close too you...
John
Well done John for the spirit and tenacity to accomplish such a project.
Unfortunately for us in the UK, unless we live in some remote location we are limited by draconian planning laws that stop us building anything bigger than a dog kennel. Well not literally...
My job before i retired was drawing plans for submission to the authorities, mainly for conversions or extensions but the regulations are most obstructive. Coupled with the space issue for a hanger like yours, which incidentally is about twice the size of my house. 8)
However it's nice to see what others are building, I'll continue to follow your progress with interest.
Regards
Joe.
Hi Joe,
It is amazing how some places are so much different from each other. The UK would surely be more restrictive due to it's size, where the US is much bigger. However, as much as that seems logical, if I lived just a few miles closer too town, it would be a whole lot different and probably worse then it is for you. For some reason town folk don't like change as they have to keep up their image. The rules are difficult to say the least; unless, you know someone on the planning commission, expect to go through a lot of red tape.
By the way, I said this to a few of the other builders and maybe even you already, but my next door neighbor is selling their house with 40 acres still! I just wish another cockpit builder would buy it and move in...oh the agony of being in this area with no one else who is into this hobby...uh, wait! I got Karen, so it's not all bad, but guys are guys when they're together, and that's what I sometimes lack from not having other guys like myself around.
Best Regards,
John
Quote from: blueskydriver on February 21, 2016, 02:24:37 PM
...oh the agony of being in this area with no one else who is into this hobby...
Try Being 5.5 hours away from anyone who even has any idea about this hobby LOL
Hey Trevor, I admit I thought I had it bad, but Scott is only 4 hours from me, now if I would just visit him more! He doesn't know it yet, but I have too see his -200, so I am planning another trip to his place and this time when he is not sick, nor me being so worried of catching it. Although, Karen just got over a 3 week flu and I avoided her like the black plaque, so my worrsome attitude has not changed none..lol!
How close are you too me? Do you want too visit my place this year?
John
Hey Everyone,
Here is another update of the hangar project. Karen and I have been moving slowly forward with the bookshelf style 2x4 and 2x6 blocking for the insulation and interior metal sheeting to be attached to. Yesterday, we finished 7 bays, so we only have a few left before we can put up the insulation on the walls; although, we have at least 12 electrical circuits to run first that average 60'-80' each.
Even though we had the electrcian install the primary sub-panel from our main house circuit panel and 6 circuits, we opted too do the remaining runs ourselves saving labor man-hours. Speaking of which, I suggest to everyone that if you undertake any kind of project at all, always ask about doing some of the work yourself. Doesn't matter if it's electrical, roofing, cement, moving materials, running errands or even digging dirt, if you can save the person you hired some time they might take you up on it. Why? Well, if a company has many different customers, sometimes they cannot always stay on time and get all the simple labor work done. So, rather then have all their customers waiting for them all the time, they'd be willing to forgo some man-hour charges on certain jobs in order too stay ahead; as one contractor told me "I rather give up a few labor hours here and there over losing my reputation of being on-time".
Anyway, here are some pics from my iPad camera from last night. I included a pic of the lighting units I got from the La Crosse Airport...
John
Wow,
I must say that with all the 2x4's you have in there I wonder if convential frame construction may have been better than the steel building approach?
In any event, you will have one nice sized mancave when done...or maybe I should re-phrase that as Karen may be reading. :-[
Looking good John, love it!
Hi Scott and Sam,
Thanks Sam, so you're going too visit me when it's all done right? And, yes you can come when we do not have snow; although, you should come when we do, that way you, the wife and kids can say you finally saw some. Then, you'll go back too Florida saying how glad you are that you do not live up here...lol.
Yeah Scott, you're right about all the 2x4's and 2x6's. In retrospect, we should've went conventional because we'd be done already. There is way more measuring and cutting in this style of a building, plus we still have the interior panels too go with a GA-ZILLION screws.
Finally, on a related note, we purchased a new cordless/airless DeWalt Framing Nail Gun. OMG! Talk about efficient, no more dragging the air hose around, fighting with it, nor waiting for the air compressor too catch up at times. Basically, you charge, load nails and go...up to 3 1/2" nails.
Here is anattached pic:
Best Regards,
John
Ps Scott don't worry if you call it ManCave, Karen will not feel bad at all, she prefers it too be called that over some girly name. You know her, she is blunt and logical just like us guys, thank goodness!
Sounds like a road trip to your place in the spring is in order John. Would love to pay a visit when your done!
Scott
Thank you John, It would be a great summer trip, I'll keep you in mind.
Cheers,!
Scott and Sam,
That sounds great and who knows, maybe we could set it up for you both too come at the same time. Then, we could have on own mini-World Flight or a mini-Wisconsin Flight... PM me which months would be best for the both of you and I'll do some research on getting the best deals on flights, hotels and etc.
John
Hey Everyone,
Here are some more pics of the hangar. The interior panels on the wall are done and they look really awesome, I am very happy with them; especially, the framing around the circuit breaker locations. The guys I got too do it are really good and efficent, they will be doing the ceiling on March 21st. We have to wait until then to have two scissor lift units here at the same time (rental units).
As for the heating, we're waiting until May before getting it done...yeah, I know, nothing like wanting it the most, but getting it last! The whole issue is taking a chance of cracking the concrete, if it's too cold for hot water tubing to be turned on. In other words, it would be a flash heat that would over expand cold water molecules still left in the concrete. Since it was poured in late October, it has not had enough warm weather to cure that moisture out yet.
Anyway, the good news, it's getting warmer here in Wisconsin! Nothing like 68 degrees right at this very moment...normally, we're still getting snow up until Easter or later. Thank you Global Warming...I mean El'Nino or whatever is causing it too be so warm this early.
John
Hey Everyone,
So much for the heat wave! Back down to 20-30's and we had snow a couple times since my last update. Anyway, at least the insulation is done except for 7 spots where we have yet too plug in the security cameras and the center section for an attic access panel. Those areas should be done tomorrow and the ceiling panels will be installed this coming Wednesday.
We're basically awaiting for two scissor lifts too be available at the same time, and once we get those here it should be by Friday it'll be finished. Okay, in the sense of the building being done, next comes the moving in phase, starting with the simulator in storage, and then we'll start dismantling the B737 sim that's in the garage now. Likely, it'll be winter again before we have a sim back up and running...
Why? Well RC airplane season is about to start soon and I'll probably want too be at the airport on the nice and mild wind days. Then again, I might take the year off from RC and live in the hangar all summer...oh, the agony!
Here are some attached pictures from this morning. If anyone has questions concerning the building, go ahead and ask.
John
With all the little things that has gone along with getting the hangar built, who would've thought that the same thing real pilots are always concerned about, is likely going to affect my last push to finish. Today, I got the guys coming back to put the interior panels on the ceiling; however, old man winter will not give in just yet and we're about too be hit with a blizzard that has 12-18 inches of snow forecasted!
Oh yeah, sim pilot gets grounded by the real weather right? Funny as it seems, I am supposed to have the scissor lift brought back out this morning; although, it's only one where we needed two. The second one is tied up with another contractor, so my guys will be using one scissor lift and two scaffolding units (I mentioned those in earlier posts; I am so happy we purchase them now).
Anyway, I am also supposed to go get a pallet jack because all my stuff that is the hangar now is on pallets, which is fine, but it's all on one end of the shed. The plan is to do the first half of the ceiling, move all the stuff to that side, and then finish the other half of the ceiling. Again, the weather will play a part because I will have to use my 18' trailer too go pick the pallet jack up...can you see where all this is going yet?
By the way, I share all of this because there is a moral to it all and that moral is called planning. Like flying real or simulated flights it's all about planning, so when building a hangar or location for your sim, you must plan for everything, including the weather. Consequently, Karen and I did sit down in the beginning and made plans, but we did not account for snow storms/blizzards this late...usually, it might be an inch or two here or there, but not a foot to a foot and a half of snow in one day. This is Janruary weather, not late March weather...uuuggghh!
I will post some more pics later of the snow and ceiling; albeit, did I mention I have an eye exam this afternoon?...rotflol! See...I uh, no wait not see, but more so are you hearing what I am saying...lol! If this isn't the biggest joke of the week, I don't know what is. Oh wait, let's add more insanity too all of this, how about that I've only had 4 hours sleep since Monday at 3pm!
And you thought getting into flight simulation was not a crazy idea...okay, it is a crazy idea, but I would not trade any of this for anything in the world...uh, well being on a nice sandy beach by the ocean, on a hot sunny day, sucking down a giant glass of ice tea might be enough...lol.
As crazy as it can be, do not let anyone nor yourself make you believe that it's too crazy of an idea. It's really all about the adventure of being a simulator pilot/owner that makes it worth it.
:rock:.
John
HOORAY!!! THE HANGAR IS DONE!!!
Yep, the hangar is finally done...okay, not 100% because the heat source is not installed yet, but for all other purposes it's ready for moving into. Now, that is the big question; what should we move in first?
You would think the simulator would be first, but in my case no because there are so many other things related to the sim, as well as all of the tools that I have. Plus, we did take down two 8'X10' sheds that was full of useful items, so those items must be shelved out of the way before the sim comes in. The big thing we did was buy a pallet jack the other day...
With a pallet jack, you can move everything around really easy, of course you'll need pallets. We got a lot of pallets from all the shed materials being delivered, so that made things even easier. The pallet jack only cost $225 new at a Menards hardware store; it's a great investment.
Anyway, all the hangar insulation and interior panels are done...I will post pics later (once I get out there). Being done with the insulation is the best part, as I break out in a skin rash (mainly my arms) from that stuff and I still have it. Even after wearing a full Tyvek suit, gloves taped on, a hat and glasses. I still got it. Try not scratching an itch that just won't stop...uuugghh!
Finally, I have described a lot of the trials and tribulations while posting in this thread, but I did so in the hopes that it will help others with their own hangar project, as well as it at least provided some funny reading. The main point though, is to encourage you too build a hangar or dedicated space for your sim, assuming you can get an area, get the funds and get your other half to go along with the idea. For you single folks, you still need permission from your sane side, as your insane side has already made its decision...
Best Regards
John
Look for more updates once the moving in really gets going.
:-* How funny is it that i came across this post... i don't remember you telling me that you posting this on Cockpit Builders..
Thank you for not showing me in my PJ's out in the shed working.
As for everyone else, I'm happy the ManCave is done and you're all invited to come over and hang out once we move John's Toys in. He would like that, you all can drool over it together.
I'll provide the drool rags. ;D
First of all Karen that's not a shed, it really is a hanger. :idiot:
I've seen smaller factories than that, and our definition of a shed here in the UK is not much bigger than a dog kennel. If you can just about stand up in it, it's a shed. If you can drive a 747 into it, it's probably John's "shed". 8)
Joking aside and drooling while I write, congratulations both, it looks fabulous and I'm sure you'll both spend many enjoyable hours once the toys are installed. I wish I was nearer I would certainly pay you a visit.
Best regards
Joe.
Hi Joe,
Thank you for the kudos and I do wish you could be closer too us... Even though you're not close enough, you're never too far away for a visit...even from the UK. I welcome you and all members too come visit.
John
Hey Everyone,
I was supposed too post some pics back when the interior panels were finished, but I got so occupied with moving stuff into the hangar, I forgot to do it. Well, I do have those on my iPad and I will go back and add them later. In the mean time, Karen upgraded my iPhone from an iPhone 4 to an iPhone 6S plus and I am out in the hangar using it for the first time to take pics of all the stuff that is in here now...OMG, there is not enough room! Look at the pics, what am I going too do?!!
Okay, okay...lol...there is enough room, but it all just needs too be setup yet. You will see why guys always say, "this will never be big enough" no matter how big the building is. Anyway, you will see the cockpit that was in storage for 2 years and many other related items. Also, the fire truck simulator is in here, but not setup. We just got that in here about 30 mins ago, and it was a real chore. The only things left are my working B737 simulator and the B727 cockpit, that's sitting outside, and that still needs too be cut yet, so there is no way I will have enough room...lol! Nah, I will get it all in here...I hope!
That last pic is Karen and I celebrating the moving of everything...YAY!!!
John
Almost forget, I will be selling my iPhone 4 at a good price. It has no scratches on the screen or housing, as I kept a screen protector on it and kept it inside an Otter Case (the Ottter Case, plus charger and I believe I still have the box for the phone as well). If you're interested PM me...
Looks like my pics from the new iPhone came out as 4k res file size, so way too big to attach them all (10). I will compress them tomorrow and add...
Excellent space, congrats on the hard work, looks great!
How high did you end up with your ceilings?
Very nice sir! Looks great! What cockpit?
test attachment
The height came out to 12'...
Added the pics from yesterday below.
John
What a fabulous hanger, looks like you've got the room and enough parts to build a whole 737 there John.
Best of luck with the rebuild.
Regards
Joe.
that is really nice John... well done having a pallet type forklift is a god send .. are you going to have a pilots lounge for war stories? and where is the "BEER FRIDGE"?
Wow! Looks like a fun space, and so much room... a homeless person could camp out there and you wouldn't find them for months!
Hey Guys,
It does look big, but I just feel like there will not be enough room. Two cockpits still not in there yet...maybe, I need to downsize? To late for making the hangar bigger or maybe, I should build another shed...see what building simulators and OCD does...uh, no wait...I am a normal person within the present company of people on this website...lol!
John
Wanted to jump in here and tell John that the hanger is Big enough and he's not getting another one. I need a shed built to park my Truck, ATV and Case...and other out door toys. ;D No more raking snow off the storage tents at 2 am in the winter.
The "Hanger" is coming along great and yes we have a lot of planes in there but once it's set up the way John wants it, there will be room for a "Pilot hang out area" for war stories. Don't know about a "Beer" station but there will a small kitchen with frig and microwave, got to make sure the man eats while he's living out there. (the crash pad will be out there too, don't want him sleeping on the heated floor.)
There is no Bathroom in the hanger... that way he has to come in the house once in a while. :)
The lady of the house has spoken, sorry John you are SOL on another shed for your purposes!
John , I think you need a bigger shed! Sorry mancave!
Hey Guys and Wife,
The shed is perfect, no complaints and I am so happy with it...at least until I run out of space...lol! Seriously, it is fine and once the sims get setup along with everything else getting organized, there will be lots of room. Pilot's Lounge and a well stocked "drink of your choice" fridge...notice the tact there? Got too make the Simlady happy...lol.
I do know it's going to take a while to set everything up and get the sims operational. That is the part I regret; dismantling a working sim and starting over in a sense, seems very overwhelming. However, if I can watch Scott and Rob (who both had amazing sims) go from what they had to what they wanted next (737 Classic), I know that I can do this move.
Once it's all done I plan too have an open house party and let everyone come and fly the sim(s). Hopefully, some of you can make it?
John
Quick update: my B737 sim is dismantled and in the hanger and we're now cutting the bottom of the B727 that has been covered for 5 years...YES, 5 YEARS! Check out the pics.
John
Nice hangar.....where did you hide all that stuff before ???? :D
Hey Jack,
A good majority was in storage about 8 miles from our friends house and we finally got it all in the hangar. I know it all looks rather crowded and distraught, but once we get it all organized it'll look like a simulation center with 4 cockpits. The funny part is, you should see all of the rooms in our house! Garage is a mess with moving B737 sim out and moving RC planes into it, the family room is emptying of RC planes (to garage), Karen's home work station is going into family room (from living room) my work station is going into the living room, the living room is being switched around, and there are still some simulator and RC items in Karen's bedroom and the guest room. So, in other words, our whole house is being affected by this change up. We're just calling it Fall Cleaning or "be careful don't fall over our cleaning"!
Still, even though it is very hectic, we're happy too do all of this. We waited long enough for the hangar, so a little disarray is nothing now... ????
John
:D
Here are a few pics attached of the B727 after cutting the bottom off and just placing it in the hangar for now. It took two days using 2 Dewalt 4 1/2" electric cutting wheels, 2 Dewalt electric Saber Saws (saw-saws) with 9" metal blades, and the 12" Gas Powered Sthil Cutting Wheel Saw. Two friends, Karen and I (me just telling them what to do...) did it all, using a boom truck and Case Skid Steer...
I am so happy it's finally in the hangar...HOORAY!...6 years from the time I got it from Universal Asset Management (UAM).
John
"clean cut" Guys!!
:D
Congrats John
Well, it has been sometime since my last update, but I spent the whole night finally getting the main circuit breaker for the hanger wired. 22 outlets on 17 circuits all at 20amp each. Plus, the 100amp sub panel just for the simulators will have 24 circuits available at 20amp each. Never again will I have brown discolored power strips/block plugs or even melting...
We put a lot of fore thought into this and I am very happy too say I have more than enough this time around. As far as building a simulator, I really recommend that your power source and circuit ratings be the first thing you figure out.
Oh, funny story relating to this... This past week I was plugging my wheelchair into the charger for the night and it uses a stand alone charger box unit. So, I plugged in the chair cord end and the wall outlet side, but nothing came on. Usually, a power on light turns on the charger, but it was not on, even after unplugging/replugging both cords. Like any bad tech person, my first step was wiggle the cords and that got it working...uh, should I say SPARKS FLYING AND SMOKE EVERYWHERE working! Yeah, then with sparks hitting me I unplug the charger from the wall; however, MORE SPARKS, and then I realized the chair cord end is still able to get power back to the charger from the 24 volt batteries, causing the continued sparks. Thus, I unplugged the chair and no more sparks.
Sadly, could you imagine this being your simulator? To think that the circuit breaker in my house did not trip was a wake up. Without ARC fault circuit breakers, this type of thing can happen, but my house does not have ARC fault types, it's just the standard type breaker. Luckily, my simulators will be using ARC fault because I removed them from the garage and put them in the hanger, but now I really need to update my house circuit breakers. I just wish the prices would drop; the standards cost $5 each and the ARC fault ones are $40 each...then again, if my house burnt down I would've thought the higher amount for the breakers would've been cheaper, even more so that I usually charge my chair at night while Karen and I sleep, so I don't want too think about how much worse it could've been.
Almost forgot, the problem was with the charger cord between it and the chair. Over the years of use the friction holder for the cord, going into the charger side, pinched into the casing, which caused the wires to touch each other and short out. I fixed the cord and it works like new, even the charger glass fuse did not blowout, so that was good, but also bad at the same time.
Things like this is why I worry more about electrical issues over anything else or maybe it's just me who has a natural love from electricity...I guess it just wants to give me a big electrifying kiss!
John