ERJ135 update

[Marco ERJ]

Cockpit builders post

Hi everyone,

After many interruptions, a lot of scouting, 2 kids and many sleepless nights (almost none of which dedicated to sim building), I have made some progress on my setup - and wanted to share some of it. I'll get to that in a moment, but first a few disclosures:
First, I changed my display name on the forum to Marco ERJ, which I hope is a little more personal than erj145sim...
Second, I changed my aircraft to be an ERJ135 instead of a 145. Petty reasons for that, as the 'pits are pretty much identical: 1- I like the looks of the shorter 135 better (more proportional and elegant). 2- I can fly it as an airliner or as the  Legacy 600/ 650 business jet, since the flight models and performance are more similar. Again, petty reasons...

Now, about the build:

The build is about 99% real OEM parts I've collected over many years...
It's been a labor of love (or obsession, if you ask my wife...I'm sure I'm not alone here). Current account is that the only parts I don't have OEM are the reversionary panels on the MIP, and the ICU module on the overhead.

The thrust levers are also OEM and will be integrated via PoKeys OR a hacked CH Throttle Quadrant (haven't decided yet...). The OEM FMC will also be operational to the extent supported by software. The Radio Management Units have required quite a bit of re-engineering to fit appropriate displays within the units and to make sure the units would fit in their center pedestal positions. The pedestal is also OEM.

The overhead will be functional to the extent that software supports it. Right now, fire extinguisher modules, CVR and ICU are not supported...

The build will be assembled on an E120 shell complete with control columns and rudder pedals. The liners are also from the E120 and are a little different from the actual E135 (the E120 deck is slightly shorter than that of the ERJ).

Finally, I am building based on FSX and using the FeelThere ERJ V2 for the flight model and avionics. It is an incredible reproduction of the ERJ, and through FSUIPC and some creativity I should be able to get to great level of integration. However, I have fallen flat in love with X-Plane 11, and am considering very seriously switching to that platform and developing the Primus 1000 avionics using Air Manager by Sim Innovations. At the moment I am torn because it would be a lot of work and I am not a developer. But I really love x-plane's visuals, features, performance and capabilities...tough one here...

So that's it for now. I plan to post more updates as I go along, on some of the parts as I rebuild and interface them.

Blue skies to all!

Marco

[kurt-olsson]

Wow!

OEM heaven!
Dont let the programming scare you, we are lots of people here that can help and to be honest, you use 3-5 techniques/libs/scripts for everything in the cockpits. What i mean by that is that lots of stuff is repetetive for lots of OEM panels.

If you want to use X-plane go for the Teensy microcontroller and you can still use Scetch programming which have lots of tutorials out there on the internet.

Shame to have such nice cockpit using legacy software!

[Marco ERJ]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the encouraging words on developing the software! It will be a huge challenge for me, but I do like the possibilities it brings. The hardest part will be the time it will take to develop! That's the allure of going FSX+FeelThere - it is already done and it is very very accurate. But to your point it is a legacy platform. As far as teensy, I had gotten that same advice from Scott (XOrionFE), and started reading about it a little. I need to learn more about it...but since I have a couple of analog standby gauges I need to enable, teensy seems like the right approach to take.
So lots and lots to learn and do...I'll try to keep the updates coming.

Thanks again!

Blue skies for all!

Marco

[booky]

Hi Marco,

you might want to stop by our Facebook group 'X-Plane Homecockpit (German and English)'. Among the members are Rob Archer and Jörg Bliesener who both deveoped Teensy boards further  - great for driving OEM parts.

Marco (X-Craft EMB...) and and his FMC chap are also very approachable should you have requirements I´d say.
I wanted to build an EMB first, but then diverted to 737.

happy landings, Stephan

[Marco ERJ]

Hi Stephan,

Thanks for the tip! I Joined the group and started reading some posts - all very interesting! Looking forward to starting to actually play around with things!

Thanks again!

Marco

[Marco ERJ]

Not much demonstrable progress since my last post, but my 3-year old and my 8-month old have found their new favorite sitting place in the house! Wait, do 3-year olds and 8-month olds actually ever sit still? 
They grow so fast I feel we will be building this sim together in a few years!

Marco

[jackpilot]

You will not see it coming , they will fly real line when you are still building...
Been there !!!

[kurt-olsson]

I am in the same position with kids and no time. But the beauty of this hobby is that it is lifelong!

I have a 5year plan to get everything working, all other than that will be a bonus. Plus the building is fun! I think it tops out flying sometimes.

[Atomic_Sheep]

Super impressive!