for the pit builders

[miloguy]

for those that have built the one plane cockpit or  even a general aviation type cockpit

does fsx still crash to desktop for you ?

also does having a cockpit give you  a more enjoyable flight experiance than just say a mouse , keyboard and joystick flight experience??

milo

[Trevor Hale]

Hi Milo,

Inherently FSX has its issues, Since I converted over to STEAM I have not had a single Crash to desktop.  With that being said, building a cockpit where you have multiple computers and or a single computer with multiple softwares running on it creates its own challenges.  I am a very firm believer in testing something off of my Primary FSX machine before I add it to my cockpit, to make sure the Bugs are worked out beforehand.  If you are a tweaker/Tinkerer with loads of add-on scenery and aircraft you will cause issues with FSX.

As for the Flight experience...  There is no comparison.  it is "As Real as it Gets"  Costs can get heavy depending what you want to do.  When I build my First Simulator, all I did, was rip apart some keyboards and joysticks and attached switches, and covered everything with Wood, Paint, and Glue.

You would be amazed the reality a little plywood can add.

Trev

[KyleH]

Just like Trevor says,...there is no comparison when using proper hardware vs a keyboard and joystick. Even just adding a yoke and rudder pedals is a huge improvement.

[miloguy]

thanks guys,

so for  the planes that I fly , cessna grand caravan 208b, dc3, and eventually I want to get the pmdg 777/737 and I also love the  cessna citation x ..

I had thought of doing the jetmax set up but thats a lot of money and limits you to one plane...

what sort of set up should I be looking at? wanting to do something mostly enclosed if  can, for that emersion ..
I know there is a post about sim pits but would take me yonks to go thru it all..

would like jus  a hand full of pics from you guys that have good set ups

thanks ..

[jackpilot]

Milo

Just my 2¢ here;

Flying multiple aircrafts is fun, but such a diversity will only allow you to barely scratch the surface of what you can get from it.

In real aviation, pilots graduate from one type to another, it is easy to transition from the 150 to the 172 (even if it involves some training hours) but, from there on, it takes a lot of studying /training (months, even years) to go to more sophisticated machines like turbo props, twins, or jets.

Simulation allows you, with some basic knowledge, to shortcut the process but it has a cost. You will be able to "fly" all these aircrafts but more as a "gamer" than a "qualified pilot" as you will tend to use your sim-flying instinct (zero risk) rather than applying strict procedures and performance knowledge which would involve going through thousands of pages and months of training.

This being said, building a cockpit allows you to go a step further than the desktop and the limitations of FS. You do not have to stictly replicate an aircraft to the millimeter (which most of us do anyway), but you can build a nice generic "inspired by a type". By type I mean twin engine vs single or turbine /jet vs piston, because your hardware will not be the same in each type, neither the avionics (hardware and software).

Going from a 208 to a DC3 to a 777, and all in-between, cannot be done seriously in the same simulator.

Besides, for the desktop simmers, there are many softwares available  (avionics and flight model) which add many systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical etc) to the overly  simplified FS aircrafts, but and it is a big BUT, very few allow you to interface those systems in a physical cockpit with real buttons/lights/controls, beyond the usual basic commands.

In summary, find out what type of aircraft you would like to fly as a "real pilot", find out by reading on forums what is available as "interfacable" softwares,
build a generic cockpit of that type, get the aircrafts manual and learn how to fly the beast beyond pushing buttons on the MCP/FMC.

[Joe Lavery]

Well said Jack, I migrated from a Piper type single to a 737 and it took me nearly as long to learn how to fly it properly as it did to build it (3 years). Although I did have the help of my old instructor who is now an airline pilot.

Joe.

[miloguy]

interesting read...
its funny now, I have been getting more this time round,
into the jets, ie 747, 737 and looking at possibly the 777
and get those from pmdg

I think I want to do long haul flights, from UK to Australia, and to US to  Australia etc,  its funny how watching a 747 land in my home airport Wollongong NSW Australia, can change that ...

I do like the flight range of the 777, maybe I should just get that from pmdg and then start building something like that , or if i can ever aford it the jetmax version?? not sure...
I also here what your saying too, get used to flying that one plane and fly it well ... ..

I don't think I'll ever be a real pilot ,
any more thoughts I'd greatly appreciate it..

[RayS]

Flying multiple aircrafts is fun, but such a diversity will only allow you to barely scratch the surface of what you can get from it.

I have to concur. Once I settled on a specific aircraft, I started digging into performance tables, fuel consumption, range, emergency procedures... It really opens up a different world.

[miloguy]

thanks Jackpilot,

I might do something  that will start to resemble the  777

should I look into building like a frame or something ?
only thing is even with the room I have that were renovating
it still wont be big enough for a full sized set up..

[jackpilot]

Another 
The 777 cockpit is the largest of the boeing fleet, larger than the 747 I think (?)
If you are limited in space might not be ideal if you want some degree of credibility. The 777 is a highly automated flyer, learning curve will not be steep.
Besides the 777 will not allow you to use medium sized runways.
Positives: There is an excellent avionics software easy to interface (Sim A) and parts and panels are available.

[miloguy]

maybe I'm biting off more than I can chew, so to speak ?

maybe i should just build something that I can fly a few planes here and there
I'll never be a real pilot, its more for fun and enjoyment..

I'm thinking of something like this

[Caflyt]

Wow,
A Shorts Skyvan!! 

[Trevor Hale]

LMFAO..  tha'ts hilarious, looks exactly like it.

Trev

[miloguy]

where do you guys get your parts from ?
ie buttons , switches etc.

[jackpilot]

Begin with any local electronic parts store (Radio Shack/ The source/ ...whatever) for your first projects.

Then trawl internet to find serious suppliers for your local market.

The ultimate: buy real aero parts on internet and gut out the switches/knobs/faceplates etc
Ex: you can get 15 heavy duty toggles and 5 push buttons from this one:
[ebay]231501436382[/ebay]