My sim is officially COMPLETED.

[Maurice]

Yes, I can already hear what most of you are thinking...a sim is never ever finished. Well, mine definitely is. But let me clarify something. By completed, I meant hardware wise. I will never, ever add any new hardware to my sim. Any changes will only happen if something breaks, cannot be repaired and must be replaced.

Here is what is missing from my sim and will remain missing: Aft overhead, back wall (I just use a curtain), breaker panel, any number of useless gauges (miniature or otherwise) on my overhead and a few more odds & ends that add nothing to my flying experience since I am not type rated on this aircraft and I'm not using it to get or keep an airline job.

I will however keep adding scenery add-ons, especially airports since, in my opinion, that is one of the most important factors contributing to a realistic flying experience.

Now, in case that is not 100% clear, I'm not putting down or making fun (well maybe just a bit  ) of anyone hell bent on building an exact replica if that is what you really want. All I'm saying is that for me, my initial and current purpose for building this sim always was to fly a 737 with a somewhat realistic setup and I have definitely achieved that. In fact, it is infinitely better than my wildest dreams from only a few years ago.

I recently did a couple of flights with the SimA software and compared them to a DVD of a real WestJet 737 doing various flights in British Columbia. I have to say I was amazed at the similarities between my sim and a real 737. In fact, I did an RNAV approach to Kelowna and the plane followed the approach perfectly and hit all the RNAV waypoints and altitudes along the way and I disconnected the A/P on short final followed by a near perfect landing. What more could I ask of a mostly homebuilt simulator?

Here are a few pics of my sim. You might wonder why the back curtain does not go all the way to the floor and that is because of ventilation. I just have a fan on the floor behind the sim gently blowing under the curtain and it keeps the inside quite comfy. Otherwise, it gets rather hot in there. Keep ventilation in mind if you add a back wall.

Maurice

[jskibo]

Fantastic!

A truly incredible job you have done there Maurice!  I drool over it every time I see your pictures.

Congrats on getting it to this level Sir!

John

[sagrada737]

Congratulations Maurice!!!  The clean approach to your sim project and the finsihed result is truly impressive.  Fine job!

Now I have to come up your way and fly that beautiful aircraft someday soon.

Mike

[kondrat]

Waw!

Congratulations Maurice!

Denis

[XOrionFE]

Nice work Maurice....

But are you sure I cant convince you to change to X-Plane??  Or maybe start using giant LCDs instead of Projection??!!!!  Prepar3d???


Scott 

[Maurice]

Nice work Maurice....

But are you sure I cant convince you to change to X-Plane??  Or maybe start using giant LCDs instead of Projection??!!!!  Prepar3d???


Scott

You perhaps more than anybody else have convinced to stick with what works most of the time 

Maurice

[blueskydriver]

Now Maurice, you know that old saying "what comes around goes around"...lol. Well, as soon as you add something big later or make a drastic change to one of those "adds nothing to the flying experience" items, good ole' Jack and I are going to be all over you...lol. He and I, as well as others will have a field day with joshing you about "my sim is officially complete".

Therefore, this is your chance to change it too "my sim is semi-officially complete", and that leaves you a loop hole. Besides, even though your sim is awesome, you will likely go to another FDS event or Peter Cos will make something so great you'll not pass it up. I think if anything, you'd go for the Aft Overhead. Why? Because the Aft Overhead is a vital part of the experience.

Take a look here on the Cold and Dark Procedures; these guys at Baltic Avaition Academy do a great job explaining it all:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vEaVaXJsykY

Finally, I really enjoy seeing pictures of your sim. How about some more videos from you, being placed on youtube or wherever?

John

[Maurice]

. I think if anything, you'd go for the Aft Overhead. Why? Because the Aft Overhead is a vital part of the experience.

Take a look here on the Cold and Dark Procedures; these guys at Baltic Avaition Academy do a great job explaining it all:

John

Read my lips John, NEVER EVER. Even if Peter was kind enough to give me a free aft overhead and Steve was going to install it, I would thank them very much but refuse the offer. The aft overhead does nothing for me and the sim is as complete as it will ever be no matter what goodies come up in the future.

Let's face it John, with all the problems I've had, I've learned my lesson...if it works, leave it alone. Some of us have some common sense left 

Maurice

[fsaviator]

Congrats, Mau!

Enjoy it.

[N737AG]

Maurice

I am really happy for you. Congratulations Captain

Axel

[Aerosim Solutions]

It looks fabulous Maurice, you've gotta be proud of that!!!

Cheers Gwyn

[HarryZ]

Maurice,

N I C E  !!

Harry

[saabpilot]

          

Superclean and nice Mau, you have to be be rightfully proud !
I will never reach your level.

Bjorn

[fordgt40]

Maurice

A totally professional job - well deserved congratulations

Kind regards

David

[Jimboflight]

AMAZING! Absolutely amazing pics.  I'm just looking at the starting gate (years ago worked to keep my Navion flying but have absolutely no history of removt control or simulated flight)and can't help but wonder how long did this project take and what technical background must one have to work at this level? 
Again, really impressed.

[nicd]

Yes, but do the wipers work?



But seriously ... good on ya Maurice. Firstly for producing such a fantatsic sim, and secondly for defining what you wanted and sticking to your guns.

Hope you have many enjoyable hours flying her.

[Garys]

Very nice job on the rebuild Mau, the sim looks fantastic. Very clean and professional. I guess it was about time your wife put her foot down and said no more. Im just surprised you listened to her      Just joking of course. Enjoy your well earned flying time.

Gary

[rhysb]

Maurice,
It's a great sim and I totally agree with your view, enough to fool your mind into thinking you are actually in a 737 is always the target!

[Flying_Fox]

It's a great sim and I totally agree with your view, enough to fool your mind into thinking you are actually in a 737 is always the target!

Being in Maurice simulator, I can confirm that effect when you step into it and suddenly find yourself in the cockpit of flying 737!

I will just post again the links to the videos I made in Maurice's simulator:

SAM_1142.avi


SAM_1143_15.avi

Absolutely outstanding job, Maurice!

[Maurice]

Thank you all for your very kind comments. I'm sure many of you will reach even higher levels based on the progress reports I see from time to time.

One thing is for sure, I could never have done this totally on my own. Over the years, this forum as well as the FDS forum have been a source of help, inspiration, encouragement and I want to thank all the great people who contribute to these forums & help us overcome the many hurdles we run into.

So rather than congratulate me, the congratulations should go to all the contributing members without whom most of us would be much less advanced in our endeavours. And Nick, the wiper motors will go in as soon as the sprinklers are installed

Thank you again,

Maurice

[jackpilot]

Just read this thread today.
As one of the early test pilots I can say that Mau's sim is nothing short of a treat to fly.
I agree also with the idea of not changing anything that works.
(Even if I like mini gauges)
Congrats Mau and it is time to start a nice flight around the world in real time, one leg a day!
Just getting the maps and the plates will keep you busy and will never harm your soft/ hardware.
PS :The  INS  aft overhead panel with its display is a riot! 

[Maurice]

PS :The  INS  aft overhead panel with its display is a riot! 

Undoubtedly, IF you lie down at the back of the cabin floor and look straight up or if you have an ostrich like neck and can stretch it back to see the panel  .

But looking through the side windows and seeing real wings (which I believe are really important for an airplane) would be very nice as well but I just don't have enough room 

Maurice

[jackpilot]

I'll hire you when I start a serious visual!