What have you done for your simulator today?

[blueskydriver]

Glad to see everyone still going on their sims! Especially, since virtual traveling is so much better these days 

Okay, this post is not about my simulator, but more so for the hanger. Karen and I put in 18 High Bay LED Lights, they're dimmer type, 5k at 15,000 lumens each. We put 3 lights per circuit with 6 dimmer/switches and 6 3-way switches (a set of switches near each door).

All I can say is DAMMMMNN IT's BRIGHT! RTFLOL 

Really though, it's like being inside at midday, yet it's 3am outside. Cannot believe we didn't put these in sooner! We left the 10 inset LED box lights that came from the La Crosse airport...nostalgia you know. That way we can use the new ones or old at anytime.

Hardest part was the wire runs, 400 feet of 12/3 and 200 of 12/2, plus another 300 of doorbell wire for the dimmers. Ask Karen how much fun she had with that?!

So, if you're thinking about lighting your hanger, sim room, or a for real 10,000 ft runway, go with High Bay LED lights. Oh, as a footnote, don't read the package of brightness levels at whatever spread distance from whatever height; instead, buy a couple and mount them up. Then, wire a plug temporarily and use an extension cord(s). This way you'll know for sure how bright they are and how many you'll need...we did that. Our original plan was 12 lights, but found the extra 6 filled in the shadows much better....

John

[RayS]

...that feeling you get when you fix a bug that almost made you walk away from the hobby.


Autopilot, for whatever reason, would not hold VS or ALT after the first flight. First flight was always fine, but taxi, gate, shutdown, restart, taxi, takeoff, the AP refused to hold VS and ALT.

Turns out I had the AP Disconnect configured incorrectly after installing the new (ish) 'Cobra head' yokes.

I had them set to turn off AP servos AND electric trim motors.

The trim motors do not auto-engage when the AP is turned back on.

[bernard S]

primer

[blueskydriver]

OMG! That is so awesome and it looks amazing with just primer!

Just by the looks of it, the Air Worthy Certificate is coming soon 

John

[navymustang]

I need a better word than OMG. Your work and my envy are both sky high!

[RayS]

Just an updated photo of the pit. Recent addition is the Avidyne EX5000c MFD in the center MIP area.

I'd like to call this sim complete, but a new main system arrives tomorrow so I'll be adding that to fly X-Plane 12 when it's released.

[N4208T]

Gorgeous!

[FredK]

Impressive for sure Ray!

Fred K

[XOrionFE]

That is amazing Ray.  Beautiful pit!

Scott

[MistyBlue]

Bernard, I have long admired your work.  What you are able to do as just one guy is phenomenal.  Keep up the great work.

Ray, that cockpit is gorgeous!  Nicely done.

[jackpilot]

Bravo @ Ray

Superb !
 

[bernard S]

thanks everyone.... @ Ray, them be fighting words the sim is finished lololol

[FredK]

Bernard...

Impressive project for sure....

A question....

Will the eject seat be operational?  I don't see any opening in the roof of the building to accommodate such. Launching the pilot out of there could be more fun than even flying it!  Would add to the virtual reality aspect!

Fred K

[blueskydriver]

Hey Ray,

Gotta say your sim is the most detailed GA sim I've ever seen! Beyond belief what you've done over the years and your patience is phenomenal....

Now, we all need to see some new flight videos from you   

John

[bernard S]

more stuff

[Joe Lavery]

Super crisp work on those seats Bernard, they look brand new.
As a matter of interest are you going to fly this or turn it into a simulator?

I would be happy to just sit in it and power up the panel. LOL.
Many years ago my brother was in the RAF and I had the chance a sit in a fully armed Sepecat Jaguar, held ready for scramble in RAF Waddington. He flicked a couple of switches and the whole aircraft came alive... Frightened the life out of me! I couldn't wait to get out of the cockpit.  

[jackpilot]

Superb !! 

[RayS]

Upgraded the main sim system to the XForce Total Overkill Ultra platform...

[jackpilot]

Amazing Cockpit 
What scenery ?

Jack

[FredK]

Ray...

Nice and smooth!

How many visual screens?

Fred K

[RayS]

That is spread across 3 86 inch LCD displays.

The scenery is Las Vegas by FlyTampa.

[bernard S]

still at it

[FredK]

Hey Bernard...

Forget about the sim....With just a little more effort that aircraft could be flight worthy!

Still curious to know what you have planned for the visuals.

Fred K

[RayS]

Several weeks ago I posted an image of the newly-repainted MIP on the sim.

I used flat charcoal black. In retrospect, that was a bad choice because over time, the pure flat texture started to show every fingerprint and blemish, made worse by the near-black color.

So, tore everything down again and resprayed using a satin charcoal grey from Rustoleum. Perfect color and texture now.

No pics though... Y'all already know what the pit looks like. :-D

[crazydunc]

Hi All!

Been a little while. Deep into a Sim move/Upgrade ahead of WorldFlight.

I have changed from normal LED Strips to Chip on board (COB) LED Strips for AFDS and Background Floods in the 737. The Improvement is mental, hard to show in a photo, but it stood out massively when I turned them on today.

Also, finally got around to installing the FDS Map Lights.

Tomorrow's task is Anders Starter and Autobrake Switches and installing the Buttkickers.

A new 4.5m 220 Degree Screen is inbound from Tom at SimPits, which will be coupled with 3 x BenQ 4k projectors. I'm like a kid at Christmas over here!