Scott (and Rob's...) Chicago 737-300 Build

[XOrionFE]

Well, it has been a long year of collecting and odds and ends work but finally ready to start posting progress of my new build.   Inspired by the work of Rob Archer last February I embarked on a quest to build a 737-200 of my own based on the awesome FlyJSim 732, X-Plane, mostly real aircraft parts, and my FDS shell and liners.   As part of this rebuild I also decided to pull out my pvc based yoke columns and replace with the real deal as well.   I have many folks I need to thank that are making this possible by contributing in knowledge and/or parts and even some custom fabrication.  Of course Rob Archer who is essentially my co-builder (we will have sister ships based 2 hrs apart in the US midwest).  Roberto Blanco for my pedestal and some other hard to find parts along with some sketches from his real cockpit.  James Price for supplying me with enough cannon plugs (which will all be re-pinned) to accomodate all my mip guages as well as some other key type specific panels and parts along with encouragement and wisdom.   Michael Sherrick for his custom fabrication of parts for my yoke/column build and an awesome set of custom j-rails.   Again, Michael provides great encouragement and ideas.   Matt W for his pioneering work on real parts.  Steve Cos for insights on using the FDS shell with real parts.  And Last but not least all of you.

Here are some pictures of structural progress on various parts and my collection so far.   Also a picture of the FDS shell top that had to be cut along with creation of a custom cover to accomodate a real overhead.

I will post more as I progress.

Scott

[iwik]

Scott,
It looks awesome and some work ahead. Should be very rewarding, nothing like
having to get your grey matter going. Looking forward to more and its great to see
you back up with us again.
Cheers
Les

[Bob Reed]

Wow! Not much more to say about this. Can't wait to see the videos of it working!!

[727737Nut]

I have been looking forward to this phase since I talked Scott into this madness a year ago. With his visuals and shell this will be the true "As real as it gets 737 sim"

Can't wait for the online flying and Shared Cockpit flying, after many hours of phone calls and visits to come in the coming months. LOL 

I applaud you Scott for overcoming the fears of this undertaking and being open minded to mine and others suggestions.

Rob

[Nat Crea]

Happy New Year Scott.
Absolutely beautiful!
Surely you can squeeze in some Ultra Short throws? 

Nat

[XOrionFE]

Happy New Year Scott.
Absolutely beautiful!
Surely you can squeeze in some Ultra Short throws? 

Nat

Judging by what I have heard the newer projectors really give great resolution and I would love to have them.  My only issue is ceiling height.   My basement ceiling is only 7.5ft and since I had to raise the whole sim an additional 5 inches to accomodate the yokes I lost that much more.

If I ever move it to a larger space will definitely give projectors a go again.  And I would definitely pay Natvis to do the work! 

Happy New Year Nat

[matta757]

Nice work there, Scott! Nothing like the real parts. I have been buying up real 757/767 parts for the better part of a year now, it's addictive. Nothing can compare to the look and feel of real yokes though, glad to see you made the switch!

Matt

[B747-400]

Great job! Excellent!

Cheers
Hans

[jackpilot]

Thank you Scott.

Both Rob and you are our "pioneers" in Simbuilding! 

Keep us up to date...
definitely worth a short hop to Chicago !

[shaneb]

Looks awesome Scott . . will be watching for more updates!

[mickc]

Awesome Scott!

I guess you are going to start stocking up on Arduinos??

Are the  A/P & F/D mode annunciator modules out of a Level D sim?  They look to have the same markings as the AFDS units I got from a CAE sim.

Lots of fun ahead for you guys

[XOrionFE]

Awesome Scott!

I guess you are going to start stocking up on Arduinos??

Are the  A/P & F/D mode annunciator modules out of a Level D sim?  They look to have the same markings as the AFDS units I got from a CAE sim.

Lots of fun ahead for you guys

Mostly Teensys for interfacing.   I have a ton of them along with breakout boards.   Will likely be using OC Outputs boards and Sioc for Korries.  I have four Outputs cards.   

As for the AFDS units, they came out of a UPS plane.

[XOrionFE]

definitely worth a short hop to Chicago !

Always welcome Jack.  Guessing it will be flying by March or April.   Lot of wiring to get done now.

Scott

[archen]

Wow!! Love the MIP. Keep posting photos from your project Scott.

Anders


Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk

[English Rebel]

Scott
You're crazy man.   A Lear 45 is a walk in the park by comparison.
Alan

[XOrionFE]

Here is a video of the installed yoke, columns, crossover tubes and how I handled pitch tension and centering with bungees...

https://youtu.be/Znh0GGD8C0I

And just for fun installed a stick shaker to try...

https://youtu.be/7waDy5cosgU

Enjoy

Scott

[XOrionFE]

Test fitting new floor, column covers, TQ and Pedestal...

[727737Nut]

Looks awesome Scott! Can't wait to come work on it and fly it.

Rob

[sagrada737]

Congratulations Scott on your speedy progress on the 737-200 project.   It is amazing what you have accomplished in such a short period of time!  Looks like you will be flying fairly soon.   Keep up the good work!

Best wishes,
Mike

[jackpilot]

Ditto

[shaneb]

Nice build Scott . .  like the stick shakers!   

[XOrionFE]

Progress..

Had electricians out to put in two dedicated 20 amp circuits with key lock switches (to keep safe from my kiddies).  Also had a dedicated ground run installed so I can ensure proper grounding on all electrical equipment.  Will be running many different voltages including 5vdc, 12 vdc, 28v dc, and 110 vac 400hz.  Got to be safe!  Installed a 19" rack to hold power supplies and audio gear.  It will have a breaker panel with real ac breakers of varying capacities.  Again...maximum safety.   Rob coming over this weekend to help me start getting the avionics going.  Hopefully will be up and running by summer.

Best regards,
Scott

[jackpilot]

keep pics coming....enjoyable
Jack

[Nat Crea]

Impressive Scott!
X-Plane I hope

Nat

[XOrionFE]

On vacation in Florida now (Sanibel Island) for the week.  Before I left I finishe the columns and yoke interfacing and installed my custom j-rails from Mike.  Got the seats reinstalled and started TQ and pedestal placement.  Removed the motors from the Tq since the 732 has no Autothrottle and because they wouldn't fit the way they were into the 2 bay pedestal.   Below are some progress pics.   

Scott