Converting KingAir to Glass

[flyinghigh]

I am looking at up grading my KingAir B200. Converting  the PFD and MFD to glass.
Intension is to use The Flight1 Aviation Technologies G1000 Student Simulator Pro G1000 software to display PFD and MFD on 10.5" and 15" screens .I know this software does not show the 12 engine gauges on the MFD,as on the real upgrade, so I would use steam gauges for them instead.
http://www.flight1tech.com/consumer/Products/CategoryID/1/ProductID/7

For the hardware use emuteq. And 15" screen from Ruscool

http://www.emuteq.com/G1000.html
http://www.ruscool.co.nz/15_mfd.html

Does this sound like a good option or is there a better one.
Any thoughts would be welcomed.

[RayS]

Not really a suggestion, but I run a Beech 1900D sim with Avidyne glass. (I'm also the co-author of the Avidyne PFD used in the sim)

Best choice I ever made was going with a mix of glass and steam gauges for the engines.

I'm also running a real Garmin MX-20 Nav unit interfaced to X-Plane. If you're going Garmin you won't need that unit but it sure is cool to have a real nav system in the pit!

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

[Trevor Hale]

I happen to have had a friend write my engine instruments for me and they can run on a network PC or the FS PC and are controlled from FSUIPC.
If you like the look of the Proline21 Engine instruments I would be happy to provide it to you.  The software is no longer in development and one day I will Rewrite it, but have a look at the super king air 350 Proline 21 engine instruments, and let me know if you decide to go away from the Steam Gauges.
Thanks,
Trev

[Trooping]

Hey Trev,

I was also looking at the pro-line 21 system as an upgrade for my B1900D to get away from the steam gauges.  They are also starting to convert real world 1900s with the system also, so it would be my preferred way to upgrade.  I even made all the bezels for it when I was building my G1000 for the king air but ended up ditching them as there was just no software solution available.  I did try to replicate a version of it using simplugins, but it was not very good.

I know one of the guys over at Hangar45 was working on the software, but I have not seen anything recently and cannot even find his website anymore ( flightlevel simulations? )

It would be great if some vendor made the pro-line system, but not holding my breath and I dont think it will ever happen.  Maybe someone could get creative and "hack" a version of Carenado's pro-line system??  Until then Ill just continue on with my trusty old steam gauges ( run with air manager for xplane )

Out of curiosity, what are using for your PFD, MFD and radio displays?

I would be interested in getting a copy of your software to check it out, I use Xplane for my sim but I do have P3D on my computer.

Joe.

[Trevor Hale]

Hi Joe,
I am using Project Magenta Boeing 737 Software, that I changed the config files to match the performance of the 350i  The layout is darn close to the real proline21. And the EICAS Software for the engines on top of the ND in the middle looks even more realistic.
I will see if I can Zip it up and attach it here soon.
thanks,
Trev

[Trooping]

Hi Flyinghigh,

Just to comment on your post, your definately going down an expensive route by going with the emuteq and Flight1 student software, and as you mentioned the software is not designed for the king air so it would be a shame to invest so much to not get want you need it for.

You could always place the steam gauges from simplugins or air manager to the left of the MFD screen, if that would work.

When I was using my King Air, the G1000 on the Flight1 B200 lets you undock the pilots PFD and the MFD, and you can remove the bezels so it makes a very nice if inexpensive software solution designed for the King Air.  All buttons are programmable to so for $60 its a steal.  I know the G1000 will not be as in depth as the student version, so if your going for full functionality then I guess thats a better way to go.

Also check out realsimgear, they are producing the PFD's now and they look amazing and an excellent price.  Plug and play to.  The MFD from ruscool is a good option also.

Anyways just my 2 cents worth.  Be great to see some pics of your build when it progresses.

Joe.

[Trooping]

Trev,

Ok cool thanks bud.

Joe.

[flyinghigh]

Hi Trev,
Yes I would like a copy of super king air 350 Proline 21 engine instruments. Thanks
The Proline was fitted to upgrade the Royal Flying Doctor Service KingAir here in Australia.

Yes Joe I'm going down the same track as you.I'm amazed that none of the G1000 software
simulate the KingAir. It must be popular? I'll check out simplugins, realsimgear, air manager

   
Thanks for comment . I'll consider it all .
Chris.
This picture taken after first build. Its a bit dirty now.
So first is to clean it up
Build new computer , as old one is 15yr old .
check out PFD,MFD.

That will keep me off the streets for a while.

Chris

[Trooping]

Chris,

Yeah the F1 B200 is definately the way to go if your using P3D and want the G1000.  I should mention though that you can only undock the pilots PFD as there is no option to undock the copilots PFD, so a dual seat setup may not be achievable.  They also updated the F1 B200 to include airways now, so at least they are still moving forward with updates.  Again thats P3D only.  For Xplane, unfortunately there is no real G1000 solutions that I know of other than using Simionics, his hardware prices are pretty good though, downside is you have to buy 2 ipads.  Also not for the King Air.

Having said that, any G1000 PFD software would be fine as long as you can adjust the performance parameters such as airspeed to match the King Air.  Its the MFD software with the gauges that no one makes, except for the Flight 1 option. 

As Airmanager or simplugins lets you place the gauges anywhere, you could always use the MFD from another software vendor and then place all the engine gauges to the left of the MFD screen and cover whatever gauges the software has.  I have'nt tried that myself but I think it could work.

I use to chase every glass option I could - now that Im back to steam gauges, I actually dont mind it and there is a wide choice of software/hardware providers which makes it easier in my opinion rather than trying to hack or piece together something so if functions like a glass setup if that makes sense...

Joe.

[flyinghigh]

Hi Joe,
I'll play around with the F1 B200, Airmanager or simplugins.
I found another G1000  Mindstar.     http://www.mindstaraviation.com/retrofit.html
Same thing no gauges and not suitable for P3dV4 64 bit.
Keeping to the steam gauges did cross my mind .

Thanks,
Chris