CRJ in progress

[Trooping]

Hi Guys,

Early stages of the CRJ700 Jetmax style.

Lots to do, but getting there....

Jonathan

[Joe Lavery]

Looking very nice Jonathan!

Joe.

[bernard S]

rather tasty

[Trooping]

Thanks Guys!

Yeah went out on a bit of limb with this one, after getting tired of the B1900 ( and finally having a full size garage ) I was going to go down the 737 route and just buy everything plug and play, but then of course a whole bunch of CRJ200 panels came up on ebay that were from a simulator so I thought why not, I do like the CRJ's as well.  I had to replace a few panels with the CRJ700 ones from Hispapanels which are unfortunately a different color, but all in all it was still a pretty good deal.

Im trying to work in 3 phases - Construction first, painting & detailing second, and electronics (dreading it!) last.  Im actually pretty close to finishing construction, right now Im putting the roof on the enclosure.

The enclosure was an afterthought, originally I had planned to just have a free standing type setup with 3 screens in front , but then I was drunk one night and thought what the hell....  As an add on though, had to re-think some things but I think its going to give it a nice immersive feel

Visuals

Visuals are going to be 2 32" screens at the front, and a 43" inch TV for the left side.  Nothing on the right side.   I didnt want to make the enclosure any bigger, so I didnt really think the right side visual was necessary.  Ive used 2 screens in front before and was happy with results, so thats why I went with that setup again. Not sure if that is going to be the right solution, but its built now so will just have to live with it if its not.

Computers & Software

2 computers sit under the left side console, and Im designing a custom panel that will have the RMU rotarys and keys on it, computer power switch's on it as well as other functions like call fuel truck, pushback etc etc.  CDU will be a single 10" touchscreen.  I actually have an identical unit for the 2nd CDU, but decided to use it for the EFB instead.  Then I can also have TOLD cards on the filler panels where the 2nd CDU would go.

Linda can be used for the interfacing, and they have released another version for the CRJ Professional by Aerosoft.  Remains to be seen just how functional everything will be, but I think what ever it is its going to be good enough for me. 

Still investigating what is going to work with LED's for the switch's, autopilot, indicators etc.  Thinking Phidgets 64 or something similar.  I think this is where I am going to run into the biggest problems as its going to be new to me.  I will no doubt be reaching out to you pro's for advice....

Radios are the biggest drawback - screen dimensions are very odd, and no 2D undockable panels available. 3rd party apps such as Sim Innovations etc have nothing similar to the CRJ radios.  Im going to install 5" monitors for now, but dont have a solid plan going forward on how to implement this yet. Controls for the radios will be dummy's for now, I will have functional keys on my custom side panel.

Flight Controls

Built my own yoke as well, its not working right now but will be experimenting with hall effect sensors in the finishing phases.  It does not have spring centering, but Ive used 2 hydraulic dampers which give it a nice smooth feel anyway.  The yoke itself is a repurposed CH yoke.  Adding a few buttons and using a 3d printed yoke mount ( available off HCBC on facebook ) to attach it.   Pedals are Saitek, although I built an enclosure for them, more for aesthetics really than anything.  Speedbrake and throttle are just a pulled apart Saitek at the moment.  Throttle handles are 3d printed 787 handles from Prime Cockpits.  Reverse levers not operational, so might have to install a hidden switch somewhere to fill the void....

So that's where I am at at the moment.  Will post pics during the next phases.

Jonathan

 

[Trooping]

Hi All,

Getting the roof done.  Decided Im going to do a couple of fiberglass layers as its to difficult to get these sorts of curves with strips of wood.  Used some chicken wire mesh which will give it the structural support.

I designed the whole thing to break down, the roof of the enclosure is actually the roof of the sim as well.

Once this is done, thats it or construction and will be on to phase 2, painting.

Jonathan,

[FredK]

Interesting approach using the chicken wire!

Fred K

[Mach7]

Very Excellent job Jonathan!

I love seeing projects other than the B737...(not that the 73 is a great build...but just everyone seems to be building them).

I fly a CRJ900 in real life, so if you need any dimensions or want any system questions answered, feel free to PM me.

Again....great job!!!

[Trooping]

Mach 7,

Thanks for the compliment, from a real CRJ900 pilot thats appreciated.  I know the side panel, glareshield, roof and shape of the overhead are not exactly like the real thing, but I originally planned it to be stand alone like the jetmax style so as the rest of it was an afterthought after a few to many Proper 12's I had to make do...lol.

Yeah I definitely might reach out when it comes time to the avionics side of things.  Im pretty much done with dimensions, I think that part was relatively straight forward.  I would love any PDF copies of the pilots manual or checklists (POH, POM, Flight Manual whatever they are called these days)

Do you have the Aerosoft Professional CRJ and P3D?  If so, as a real driver, whats your thoughts?

Jonathan.

[Mach7]

I don't have that program, but I am sure it is a realistic as it needs to be. The problem I can see is for you is how to develop the EICAS and synoptic pages for the various systems, that is of course if you want to go into that much detail.

For sure I can help you our anyway I can, however I would be in a world of hurt if I started sharing company SOP's and checklists...however what I can do is make 'suggestions' that would suffice the real thing.

[Trooping]

Mach7

Thats all good, wouldnt expect any restricted material to be sent - besides which another member on the site has kindly sent me a bunch anyway.

So with the synoptic pages, which I am assuming you to mean just flicking through the various systems pages,  they are replicated in the Aerosoft CRJ to some extent.  I have the actual Eicas panel which I plan to just interface into a Bodnar board as they are just momentary switch's.  Im sure its not at the level of the real aircraft, but good enough for me.

The Linda software has the option to programme buttons to this function.  Suffice to say I have'nt tried it yet though.

Jonathan.

[Trooping]

Got the roof fiberglassed.  Going to cover it in a rubber matting and then paint beige.

Came out pretty good considering, and very light.  Definitely better than leaving it open....

[blueskydriver]

Hey Jonathan,

Thought this might interest you...

https://magazin.lufthansa.com/xx/en/fleet/bombardier-crj700-en/panorama-photo-cockpit-bombarider-crj-700/

Additionally, I was thinking about your cockpit ceiling and how you could make your own DIY vacuuming forming device. Then, make the shape of what the interior side of your ceiling should be out of wood forms; thereby, giving you the shape to vac form over.

If you use white plastic sheeting, there would be no need to paint, and you would most likely have a 1:1 mold of the correct shape and size. Regarding the size of the forming device itself, you could make a big one of course, but with a smaller one you could do the ceiling in sections that can be glued together afterwards to create the full sized item.

Years ago I made my own vac forming box out of peg board, MDF, screws, duct tape and an old shop vac. Heated 12"x18" plastic sheets in the kitchen oven and placed them over the items I wanted to copy. It was amazing how things turned out. Copied a Hot Wheel Car, a small wooden man figure, and even a teddy bear for testing. More importantly, I was copying RC Airplane pieces that were no longer being made by the manufacturer, and that was the  huge reason for making the vac forming box to begin with.

Later, I made a few flight simulator items, but did away with it all for 3 reasons. One, we only had our kitchen stove and melting plastic has a very strong odor that stunk up our house for days. Two, didn't have a dedicated ventilated location to do this; our hangar/shed was not even started yet. Three, I really needed to make an actual heat box to melt things with, and my plan was to use an old electric stove for parts that would go into a DIY metal box.

In the end, I never got back to this project, but telling you these things makes me want to pursue a new setup; especially, now that we have plenty of room within our hangar...

Check this out, as it might persuade you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tugr2juVWuk

Best Regards,

John

[Trooping]

Hi John,

Yeah vacuuming forming is definitely a cool process, I went to college for aircraft structures a while back  ( never made it a career though ) and also did a full composite course, so we did a lot of vacuum bags when making parts.

I think the issue with doing it now is that I would have to make the form anyway, so essentially making two parts.  To involved for just a home build... although I would love to have a shell that weighs practically nothing!

The wire mesh though came out pretty good, definately something to think about doing again if I ever make version II....lol.

Jonathan.

[Trooping]

Hey Guys,

Made some progress on the CRJ pit.  Got everything painted, started fitting panels, lighting and electronics.  Working on getting the yoke operational.  Had to get the autopilot panel redesigned by Hispapanels ( all the switches etc I had did not fit his panel  ) so waiting on that to come in.

Need to buy a few more leo bodnar cards, once all the switches etc are wired up it should be good to go

Definately wont be a prosim level of functionality, but good enough for me.

Jonathan.

[jskibo]

What car is the seat from?  Looks comfy

[Trooping]

Hi Jskibo,

I think they were out of a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica.

On the lookout for CRJ or 737 seat though if anyone has any good leads....

Jonathan.

[jskibo]

Lots here and his shipping is decent
https://www.oncealoft.com/seats-for-sale

Warren had some and then listed them in the Tampa Craigslist, but I think he's moved to Europe already and they were Ipeco, given your space Weber may work better

[kattz]

Have you seen the complete UFC for the F-16?  I saw it on the web the other day and thought of you...

[jskibo]

Have you seen the complete UFC for the F-16?  I saw it on the web the other day and thought of you...

I have the IPC form Vipergear.  Also have the MFD's mounted with screens behind them. 

Pegagus (Martin) sidepanels are in a box waiting to be assembled and I grabbed the Pegasus center pedestal (which I will use a screen for vs mechanical gauges).  Just need the center panel wings to mount the MFDs and then the "wing panels" beteween the center console and side consoles.  Also need a few panels on the left and mst of the right, all the other panels and backing light plates ordered and delivered, but man they are expensive.  Great quality though.

Its a tough build as everything is expensive and requires a lot of soldering and wiring.  I had to put it aside during my MBA classes but I have a short break to fall.

[kattz]

I don't remember; did you work on these as a pilot or maintainer?  Just curious.