My sim progress to date.

[Steve A]

After reading through a number of threads i get the impression some members want to see some "new bloods" work in progress so here is my little project for you guys to have a look at 

I set out to build something quite generic but found i was flying the pmdg 737 exclusively so the cockpit evolved somewhat into a scaled down version.
Budget is the biggest drawback of my project, but i hope that helps other builders see what can be done without too much cash.

For the visuals i use 2 projectors and a dualhead which i got 2nd hand. the right hand projector has a problem which i thought was the bulb so i replaced that and found out its something more serious. So just for the time being i have to make do with pink stripes appearing now and again 
I use opencockpits mcp and efis and use pmdg's own glass pfd and nd, with the freefd eicas and standby gauges networked from an old cheap pc.
I have opencockpits and hispa panels for the mip and pedestal and buy them everytime i can. Only the landing gear and autobrake are interfaced at the moment. The cdu is el crappo vri, it works perfectly as an emulator and as long as i have the small tft screen displaying the actual pmdg cdu i do not need the mouse.
I wont be starting on the yoke until next year so for now i have saitek  however i have started the throttle quadrant and jackpilot was very kind to supply me with the throttle levers. The overhead is just a print and is interfaced through leo bodnar joystick cards... i am having the panels for the full forward and aft overhead made at the moment so this is the main project for this year.
The shell is very generic and was made from bits of scrap i had laying around. All i was trying to do here was increase the immersion by actually being inside the cockpit looking out through the windshield.
The pedestal is made up of various goflight modules and a few real 737 radios etc.... i can operate everything i need to from the goflight gear so a full pedestal is something for the future.
Another thing you will notice is the scale of the mip isn't correct... this is because i already had 3 17' screens available and decided to build my mip around them.
Please remember this is my first simbuild and i have plenty of years ahead of me to build the full scale exact replica but i would like to hear any constructive critisism and advise.  Here are some pics.


This is the view from the cockpit door which is actually a curtain.

On finals to cupboard door 06r.

I have a keyboard tray installed on the FO side for my daughter who is sometimes my copilot.

As long as i can keep flying and learning while i'm building it should all work out pretty well ( in about 10 years lol )

Regards Steve

[Bob Reed]

Oh wow this is nice!! Yes more pictures. You have a very nice sim.

[XOrionFE]

I think you sime is very impressive.    It shows how much can be accomplished on a lower budget with a little inginuity and determination.     I think I have spent over 8K to date and feel like I dont have much to show for it because everything is still in pieces.   Will probably be another 6 months before I can fly it.   And yours is completely flyable which is fantastic!   Nice job and I look forward to seeing yours progress as you add to it.   Keep the updates coming.

Regards,
Scott

[Steve A]

The Throttle has a long way to go 

[shaneb]

Hey Steve,

Your build is looking great . . and nice to be able to fly as you continue to build and improve your cockpit.  I think being able to fly and build is important . . keeps you motivated.  I still use the first cockpit that I built to keep flying while building a Lear cockpit. I still use the GoFlight modules in my first cockpit. They have worked very well for me.  Keep us posted on your build!

also Steve . . your first build looks a lot better than my first! Take a look at my first build . . .       

[Sean]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that as a first build!

[ivar hestnes]

I think you have a nice build there Steve. Nothing wrong building a sim on a budget. And it is flyable. Good thing
You succeeded in raising the immersion for sure

Also your first build looks very good Shane

[warvet]

Steve,
If your interested I have a practically brand new projector I can let you have for around $500 it works flawlessly and awesome clarity. Let me know, just trying to help you out.
Tim

[Trevor Hale]

Steve, you have done what I have been telling builders for years now..  Paint, and plywood can really go a long way to getting the immersion factor down pat, and I think you have it mastered.  Fantastic job, Dont ever apologize for being frugal

[Boeing Skunk Works]

I think it looks good too, and my throttle looks just like that under the skin.

Wood is your best friend in this hobby.

[DarrylH]

Very nice start Steve. Looking forward to watching your build,

Darryl

[when acting as a wave]

This is fantastic work! And yes, the design of your latest throttle looks very familiar to me also 

[fsaviator]

Looks great Steve.

I'm jealous...

Cheers.

Warren

[Steve A]

Hi Guys.
A couple of you have mentioned that your throttle builds are very simalar to mine above. Its easy to see why as this design is very popular and there are a lot of tutorials knocking around the net.
I invented a brilliant way to cover the tq.... 8inch and 10inch plastic sewer pipe... as sewerage is my job nowadays, i even had some offcuts in my van and cut to the right dimensions the radius fits snug over the mdf. I'll upload some pics as soon as i can.
My questions are:
I'm using slide pots for the throttle levers, but what is best for the flaps and speedbrake lever, I have a design in my head for the flaps gate (notched thing) and will be using ballcatchers like Jack for determining positions like armed, up, down etc on the speedbrake, Would encoders work and then be able to be callibrated through fsuipc or do i need an individual microswitch for each flap/speedbrake position.

Thanks Steve

[jackpilot]

Hi Steve
Both flaps and speedbrake can be calibrated with a Pot.(circular or slide) There was a thread here on that,Check FSUIPC manual.
Cheers
Jack

[Steve A]

Thanks Jack... thats what i suspected.

Here is a quick and dirty knock together of how i have progressed so far. I Have only undercoated the sewer pipe and wont be sanding/filling until it gets put together for the final time. I Didn't really need to assemble everything but i wanted to see how the plastic pipe worked and how it would all look. Still have to cut the slots and fit all the levers obviously.
The pipe is 1/8 inch thick 3.2mm and i can stand on it without it bending so i have built a strong throttle lol

I'm enjoying this project.





Thanks Steve

[jackpilot]

I love it ! Looks real!
My first one (with levers of fame) was covered with a section of a big cylindrical plastic flower pot!

[Steve A]

Another couple of hours today and its almost there!!
I cut out the slots for the throttle levers, added various bits of trim and fitted all the other levers.
Now i can relax while i wait for the postman to bring the throttle levers, pots, interface card etc. Then i'll strip the whole thing, fill, sand and repaint all the wood/plastic components and set about fitting the slide pots and micro switches and interfacing with fsuipc.

I know trevor mentioned earlier "not to ever apologise for being frugal"  Total cost so far 20 euro's 

[Trevor Hale]

20 Euro's guy??? Oh my God, thats awesome..  the result you have achieved for that little cost is exemplary.  Dude I think you deserve some kind of a medal for that.  Great Job, and by the way it looks awesome.

Trev

[Steve A]

Jack. You are a top top TOP bloke. Thanks a million.





Now the real work ( interfacing ) begins.

[Trevor Hale]

(Tear) OMG, that looks Great Steve.  You must be so proud.

(Ps the wife must be very proud to have that on the kitchen table as well) Nice centerpiece...

Trev

[shaneb]

That is an awesome TQ . .  looking forward to seeing that in your build!     

[Maurice]

(Ps the wife must be very proud to have that on the kitchen table as well) Nice centerpiece...

Trev

I can fix you up with a good divorce lawyer when the time comes Trev. In my first (& last) divorce, I was able to keep the shirt on my back and you may need his help when you surprise your wife with a new centerpiece such as this one.

Maurice

[Steve A]

Its funny now about this being on the dining table.... Beacause last night i managed to score a deep scratch in it... Trying to diguise it with a fruit bowl didn't cut it with sam (my better half) and now im trouble... at least its quiet at my house at the moment as im getting the silent treatment. One budget throttle quad just cost me a weekend sanding and varnishing or a new table lol  She thinks im as mad as a box of frogs 

[Trevor Hale]

I can fix you up with a good divorce lawyer when the time comes Trev.

Too late Mau..  I ended up not needing one..    But I may rethink the marriage thing before I try a second time.