as long as we can preplan travel details in advance, would be a terrific idea

Just for the record, I'll chime in that I'm glad to see the team back up and flying.  I am sad I no longer live in Tampa so I could join you (last year - and next year).
My goal is to get team together here in Greece for this year, flying my sim.

Warren

That's my other project too, Mike.
I'm building openhornet cockpit...  what an awesome project that is.  My problem now is space.  my 737 is taking up 30 square feet of space and that doesn't leave much room for my F18.  I really don't want to get rid of the pool table!

Your setup looks great though.

Warren

Quote from: jackpilot on March 13, 2025, 08:52:26 AMGlad to be back, Jack - and happy to still see you here.  Your sim looks great - that's where I'm headed with mine this time!

Quote from: sagrada737 on March 13, 2025, 12:41:42 PMMike!  Looking good, of course!  I'm happy to be back

Quote from: Trevor Hale on March 30, 2025, 06:28:18 AMTrevor, so glad to see you're still here.

As I said, very glad to be back - I've been head down for a week working on my sim.  You'd think as many times as I've taken it apart, moved it, and put it back together - it would be quick and easy...  not so much.  I packed this up in Germany 18 months ago, shipped it down here, and it sat in a pile in a framed off area that would be it's new home since then.

I have no idea what I did with the pics and notes I took taking it apart, so I'm going in 'blind' again.  I spent the week prior just rewiring a bunch of stuff.  This is the last time this baby is getting put together...  the next time it comes apart it'll be my kids doing it to sell it.  I've been documenting how it goes together and taking pics so they'll have something to reference.

It's taking shape now though and I'm getting excited.

I'm scared to fire up the computers as I can't remember anything about where what was connected so I'm going to have to redo the config - and I'm so behind on Prosim updates that I'm sure something, like my TQ, won't work.

The plus is my graphics should be fine as I actually got the projectors mounted and changed from Nthusim to Fly Elise last year at one point.  It was running great, then.

Here's a teaser pic... I also put down a new floor covering.
Jack, you'll recognize the seat rails

Welcome back Warren,

Glad to see you kicking the tires again.  I am also happy for you and congratulations on your retirement.  Cant wait to see more of your progress and watch your project come together.

I am using MSFS2020 for my setup, which has it challenges, but I am working through them.

Thanks for checking in on us.

Trev

Hi Guys,

Having completed my full-scale 737-800 Sim with its Motion Platform, I found myself looking around for a new Sim Project.

Scott had introduced me to DCS and its F/A-18C aircraft, so I thought it would be fun to build up an F-18 Sim to sit along side my 737 Sim.  Well...  That's what I did.

I chose the Next-Level Military Boeing seat setup as the base structure.  I populated it with WinWing HOTAS Throttle and Stick.  I'm using the ThrustMaster TPR Rudders.  I decided to add WinWing's F-18 Instrument Display setup to add a bit more "tactile" immersion.  For the main Display/Switch Modules. I am using a triple screen monitor setup, with three LG 48" OLED Evo monitors in 4K mode @ 60 Hz. 

The Sim software is Digital Combat Simulator (DCS), which is free.  I purchased three aircraft...  The F/A-18C; the A-10 Warthog; and the AH-64A helicopter.

I'm running all this on a 11th Generation i9 11900K 3.5GHz PC with Windows 11.  My graphics GPU is an RTX 3090, talking to the monitors 60Hz via Display Port.  The speed of this setup allows for smooth display performance.

For moving around the cockpit, I use TrackIR-5.  I tried a VR Headset initially, but it instantly made me sick -- a common issue for some people with VR in a flight sim.  The TrackIR solution however is easy to use and is working fine.

I am using a Logitech Speakers/Woofer Gaming System fed by the computer's sound interface.  I also use a ButtKicker Gaming Plus to add cockpit vibrations.  The Transducer is mounted to the bottom of the seat.  This does a nice job of adding a bit to Sim immersion.

At this point, I am learning the basics of  flying the F-18C.  I have learned how to start from  cold & dark, and perform a proper shut-down.  I am learning the importance of AutoPilot functions.  I can successfully land the F-18 on a Field and on an Aircraft Carrier, catching the "third wire".  This requires strict attention to flying  "On Speed" during Approach operations.  In addition, I am having some fun getting familiar with Guns and Missiles in Air-to-Ground mode.  Overall...  I am just scratching the surface in understand the F/A-18C complex operations, and it is clear that I have a steep learning curve ahead of me.  That said, it's been a great deal of fun thus far.

I have ordered a VIRPIL Collective and Apache Grip for helicopter operations (currently backordered).  Years ago when I worked on assignment in Japan, I learned how to fly a Eurocopter AS-355 Jet helicopter (photo below).  After I returned to the USA, I got my Helicopter rating in an R-22.  After which, I built my own 2-Place Rotorway 162-F helicopter.  I'm now looking forward to flying the Apache helicopter when I get the Collective installed on the Combat Sim.

Anyway...  That's the setup for my new Sim.  Thus far, I have about $7K invested in this Sim Project.

Mike

Hey Warren...  Welcome back!   Best wishes getting resettled in Greece.  Beautiful country! Keep us posted on your Sim project.   

Hi Jack...   I forgot just how nice your Sim looks.  Great job on that project!  You are quite right about MSFS...  Why such a company puts out a product with so many issues. 

Although P3D is "old news", it is still quite robust and reliable.  I'm using P3D v5.4. As you pointed out -- It works!  Same with Sim-Avionics.  I have had no problems with my 737-800 Sim and 6dof Motion Platform after all these years.  It just keeps ticking and keeps on working...

I did upgrade to true 4K Laser projectors, which really helps the quality with my 220 degree projected display.

As a side note, I built a F/A-18C Combat Sim using DCS.  It's a typical setup, with WinWing displays and HOTAS Throttle, and ThrustMaster Rudders, and a Next Level Seat arrangement, with a triple 48" OLED monitor configuration.  It's a lot of fun flying the F-18 and learning its complex systems. 

Here's a photo of my 737-800 Sim.

Mike

Hi Warren..
Glad to see that you are still kicking!
Greece is certainly a good choice as canadian winters are less and less interesting (and bearable) as years go-by .

Forums are filled with frustration about FS2020/24
bugs and whatever crap MS and Windows can throw at cockpit builders.

I am still using P3D and SimAvionics. Runs like clockwork.Zero issues.
Glad to see you back
Jack

Hi.
My my name is Warren, and I'm Aviaholic.
I thought I got away, but I couldn't kick the habit.
I thought about you guys often.  Missed you all.

But seriously - After four more years in Germany, I have finally quit working, packed everything up (again) and retired for good to Greece.

I am finally getting around to unpacking and putting my sim back together for the sixth time!

This time I'm correcting some things, documenting everything, and making everything modular.  This will be the last time I'm putting this together so once I'm done, the next one to take it apart will be my kids when I die, and the next person to put it together will be whoever buys it from them...  so I'm making it easier.

Anyway, very happy to be back, and even happier to see this community still exists.  PLEEEEASE don't tell me we're MSFS focused now.

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