Home » Simpit Discussion » simpits-tech » [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
| [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1174] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 15:54  |
 Chris Brace
Messages: 5
Registered: March 2010 |
Junior Member |
|
|
Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
First of all many thanks to many of you, for those little gems and
inspirations that kept Greg and I plugging away at what seemed impossible
solutions. This has been one of those long term projects that suffers from
the usual stop/start/motivation/money/life problems but we got there in the
end. And the results speak for themselves.
Check out the video of the sim in action here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W2omkBwirU
A few things about it. Build time has been around 7 years! Been through
several iterations of software and hardware but settled now on xplane.
Simulator is Xplane 9.4. Instruments are early simkits with a CCU. All
interfacing is via an XPlane plugin we wrote ourselves that does all the
hard work and is modeled very similarly to FSX's SimConnect in principle.
Primary flight controls are custom made with the electronics being a plasma.
Rudder pedals are from aircraft spruce and the mechanisms (with toe breaks)
is inhouse designed and built.
The complete avionics stack is custom design and built Most the parts are
laser
cut- yes we even bought a laser cutter of our own to do the job. Displays
and I/O are Phidgets. Each unit is completely separate much like the real
deal. They all bolt into a chassis that can be removed as a single unit and
bench run if needed from a single USB connection and power.
Circuit breakers are also custom made. Again each CB is a separate unit. All
are driven by a Phidget 16/16 board. Again each is made from laser cut
acrylic and various parts.
The cessna shell is custom made. I measured up the real thing, drew my own
set of plans and then set about building it. Mostly its 18mm MDF but all
jointed with aluminium L sections and M6 bolts.
Projection is the interesting part. Three ultra short throw projectors
(1024x768 res each). Each screen is about 1500mm wide (about 60 inches) and
is rear projected with a single mirror that folds the image back onto the
screen.
Projection distance is 950mm (2 x 470mm) or about 38 inches in total length.
Everything is adjustable, screen height, screen angle, projector angles and
position, folding mirror angle etc. This was done so that we could roll out
one sim shell and if needed roll in another with different requirements.
Presently we get about 160 degrees wrap around. The images are simply edge
butted together there is no hardware device doing any blending - just plenty
of adjustments and time.
Voice comms are a real aircraft 4 place intercom and headsets - just a cheap
unit imported from China. Audio is fed into it from the Sim PC as needed via
an source input on the unit.
A single fairly grunty PC runs XPlane,the visuals and primary flight
controls.
The PC has 4Gb RAM, quadcore CPU, and three high end graphics cards. Each
card drives a single projector. OS is Windows Server 2008. Another PC drives
all the instruments and avioncs and comms to Xplane. Third PC drives the
dual screen instructor station.
I have a bunch of pictures of the build (over many years) on my personal
website (www.chrisb.co.nz) under "The photo gallery" section then LS172
simulator project.
Enjoy.
ChrisB
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1175 is a reply to message #1174 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 16:20  |
Roy Coates
Messages: 438
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
|
|
On Wed, 24 Mar 2010, Chris Brace wrote:
That's pretty darned impressive Chris! You've been working on that beast
for as long as I can remember.
Superb stuff - love those projectors... what are they? Pics of the mirror
setup please?
Very very cool.
> Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
>
> First of all many thanks to many of you, for those little gems and
> inspirations that kept Greg and I plugging away at what seemed impossible
> solutions. This has been one of those long term projects that suffers from
> the usual stop/start/motivation/money/life problems but we got there in the
> end. And the results speak for themselves.
>
> Check out the video of the sim in action here
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W2omkBwirU
>
> A few things about it. Build time has been around 7 years! Been through
> several iterations of software and hardware but settled now on xplane.
>
> Simulator is Xplane 9.4. Instruments are early simkits with a CCU. All
> interfacing is via an XPlane plugin we wrote ourselves that does all the
> hard work and is modeled very similarly to FSX's SimConnect in principle.
>
> Primary flight controls are custom made with the electronics being a plasma.
> Rudder pedals are from aircraft spruce and the mechanisms (with toe breaks)
> is inhouse designed and built.
>
> The complete avionics stack is custom design and built Most the parts are
> laser
> cut- yes we even bought a laser cutter of our own to do the job. Displays
> and I/O are Phidgets. Each unit is completely separate much like the real
> deal. They all bolt into a chassis that can be removed as a single unit and
> bench run if needed from a single USB connection and power.
>
> Circuit breakers are also custom made. Again each CB is a separate unit. All
> are driven by a Phidget 16/16 board. Again each is made from laser cut
> acrylic and various parts.
>
> The cessna shell is custom made. I measured up the real thing, drew my own
> set of plans and then set about building it. Mostly its 18mm MDF but all
> jointed with aluminium L sections and M6 bolts.
>
> Projection is the interesting part. Three ultra short throw projectors
> (1024x768 res each). Each screen is about 1500mm wide (about 60 inches) and
> is rear projected with a single mirror that folds the image back onto the
> screen.
> Projection distance is 950mm (2 x 470mm) or about 38 inches in total length.
> Everything is adjustable, screen height, screen angle, projector angles and
> position, folding mirror angle etc. This was done so that we could roll out
> one sim shell and if needed roll in another with different requirements.
> Presently we get about 160 degrees wrap around. The images are simply edge
> butted together there is no hardware device doing any blending - just plenty
> of adjustments and time.
>
> Voice comms are a real aircraft 4 place intercom and headsets - just a cheap
> unit imported from China. Audio is fed into it from the Sim PC as needed via
> an source input on the unit.
>
> A single fairly grunty PC runs XPlane,the visuals and primary flight
> controls.
> The PC has 4Gb RAM, quadcore CPU, and three high end graphics cards. Each
> card drives a single projector. OS is Windows Server 2008. Another PC drives
> all the instruments and avioncs and comms to Xplane. Third PC drives the
> dual screen instructor station.
>
> I have a bunch of pictures of the build (over many years) on my personal
> website (www.chrisb.co.nz) under "The photo gallery" section then LS172
> simulator project.
>
> Enjoy.
> ChrisB
>
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
> database 4969 (20100323) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
--
Roy Coates.
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------
Lord, If I must have an instrument failure, please let it be the Hobbs meter.
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1176 is a reply to message #1175 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 16:51 |
Chris Brace
Messages: 5
Registered: March 2010 |
Junior Member |
|
|
Thanks Roy,
Good things take time!
The projectors are Sanyo PLC-XL45's I did a deal with a local supplier and
bought three at once. One problem with the rear projection and mirrors is
hot spotting, it's clearly evident in the video but from the pilots view its
nowhere near as obvious.
I'll take some more video of the projection setup in a few days and post
again. It took a hell of a long time, many drawings, prototypes and head
scratching to get them right.
We designed everything in the sim to emulate and function as close as
possible to the real aircraft. From cold and dark to fully running it really
does work the same throughout (where possible). This often became our
stumbling block, as there were many many times we were trying to debug
things, getting frustrated to hell because something wouldn't work as it
should, when suddenly it would dawn on us both that another system needed to
be on (or off) and presto it all worked! Pure satisfaction and a wee smerk
later........
Cheers
Chris.
-----Original Message-----
From: simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org] On Behalf Of Roy Coates
Sent: Wednesday, 24 March 2010 12:20
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
On Wed, 24 Mar 2010, Chris Brace wrote:
That's pretty darned impressive Chris! You've been working on that beast
for as long as I can remember.
Superb stuff - love those projectors... what are they? Pics of the mirror
setup please?
Very very cool.
> Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
>
> First of all many thanks to many of you, for those little gems and
> inspirations that kept Greg and I plugging away at what seemed impossible
> solutions. This has been one of those long term projects that suffers from
> the usual stop/start/motivation/money/life problems but we got there in
the
> end. And the results speak for themselves.
>
> Check out the video of the sim in action here
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W2omkBwirU
>
> A few things about it. Build time has been around 7 years! Been through
> several iterations of software and hardware but settled now on xplane.
>
> Simulator is Xplane 9.4. Instruments are early simkits with a CCU. All
> interfacing is via an XPlane plugin we wrote ourselves that does all the
> hard work and is modeled very similarly to FSX's SimConnect in principle.
>
> Primary flight controls are custom made with the electronics being a
plasma.
> Rudder pedals are from aircraft spruce and the mechanisms (with toe
breaks)
> is inhouse designed and built.
>
> The complete avionics stack is custom design and built Most the parts are
> laser
> cut- yes we even bought a laser cutter of our own to do the job. Displays
> and I/O are Phidgets. Each unit is completely separate much like the real
> deal. They all bolt into a chassis that can be removed as a single unit
and
> bench run if needed from a single USB connection and power.
>
> Circuit breakers are also custom made. Again each CB is a separate unit.
All
> are driven by a Phidget 16/16 board. Again each is made from laser cut
> acrylic and various parts.
>
> The cessna shell is custom made. I measured up the real thing, drew my own
> set of plans and then set about building it. Mostly its 18mm MDF but all
> jointed with aluminium L sections and M6 bolts.
>
> Projection is the interesting part. Three ultra short throw projectors
> (1024x768 res each). Each screen is about 1500mm wide (about 60 inches)
and
> is rear projected with a single mirror that folds the image back onto the
> screen.
> Projection distance is 950mm (2 x 470mm) or about 38 inches in total
length.
> Everything is adjustable, screen height, screen angle, projector angles
and
> position, folding mirror angle etc. This was done so that we could roll
out
> one sim shell and if needed roll in another with different requirements.
> Presently we get about 160 degrees wrap around. The images are simply edge
> butted together there is no hardware device doing any blending - just
plenty
> of adjustments and time.
>
> Voice comms are a real aircraft 4 place intercom and headsets - just a
cheap
> unit imported from China. Audio is fed into it from the Sim PC as needed
via
> an source input on the unit.
>
> A single fairly grunty PC runs XPlane,the visuals and primary flight
> controls.
> The PC has 4Gb RAM, quadcore CPU, and three high end graphics cards. Each
> card drives a single projector. OS is Windows Server 2008. Another PC
drives
> all the instruments and avioncs and comms to Xplane. Third PC drives the
> dual screen instructor station.
>
> I have a bunch of pictures of the build (over many years) on my personal
> website (www.chrisb.co.nz) under "The photo gallery" section then LS172
> simulator project.
>
> Enjoy.
> ChrisB
>
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature
> database 4969 (20100323) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
--
Roy Coates.
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
---
Lord, If I must have an instrument failure, please let it be the Hobbs
meter.
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
---
_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech@simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.
Thanks!
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1177 is a reply to message #1176 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 16:53 |
Roy Coates
Messages: 438
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
|
|
On Wed, 24 Mar 2010, Chris Brace wrote:
> Thanks Roy,
> Good things take time!
If it was easy - everyone would be doing it, and - it would be no fun !
The big question now is, will you be happy to actually fly the thing, or
are you already planning the next simpit? ;-)
--
Roy Coates.
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------
Lord, If I must have an instrument failure, please let it be the Hobbs meter.
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------
_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech@simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page. Thanks!
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1179 is a reply to message #1174 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 18:00 |
Rick Davis
Messages: 128
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
|
|
Chris,
Exactly, where do you live? I'd like to come visit. LOL
10 stars. X-Plane project of the year!
Fabulous.
Rick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Brace" <chris@renovo.co.nz>
To: <Simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 6:54 PM
Subject: [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
> Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
>
> First of all many thanks to many of you, for those little gems and
> inspirations that kept Greg and I plugging away at what seemed impossible
> solutions. This has been one of those long term projects that suffers from
> the usual stop/start/motivation/money/life problems but we got there in
> the
> end. And the results speak for themselves.
>
> Check out the video of the sim in action here
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W2omkBwirU
>
> A few things about it. Build time has been around 7 years! Been through
> several iterations of software and hardware but settled now on xplane.
>
> Simulator is Xplane 9.4. Instruments are early simkits with a CCU. All
> interfacing is via an XPlane plugin we wrote ourselves that does all the
> hard work and is modeled very similarly to FSX's SimConnect in principle.
>
> Primary flight controls are custom made with the electronics being a
> plasma.
> Rudder pedals are from aircraft spruce and the mechanisms (with toe
> breaks)
> is inhouse designed and built.
>
> The complete avionics stack is custom design and built Most the parts are
> laser
> cut- yes we even bought a laser cutter of our own to do the job. Displays
> and I/O are Phidgets. Each unit is completely separate much like the real
> deal. They all bolt into a chassis that can be removed as a single unit
> and
> bench run if needed from a single USB connection and power.
>
> Circuit breakers are also custom made. Again each CB is a separate unit.
> All
> are driven by a Phidget 16/16 board. Again each is made from laser cut
> acrylic and various parts.
>
> The cessna shell is custom made. I measured up the real thing, drew my own
> set of plans and then set about building it. Mostly its 18mm MDF but all
> jointed with aluminium L sections and M6 bolts.
>
> Projection is the interesting part. Three ultra short throw projectors
> (1024x768 res each). Each screen is about 1500mm wide (about 60 inches)
> and
> is rear projected with a single mirror that folds the image back onto the
> screen.
> Projection distance is 950mm (2 x 470mm) or about 38 inches in total
> length.
> Everything is adjustable, screen height, screen angle, projector angles
> and
> position, folding mirror angle etc. This was done so that we could roll
> out
> one sim shell and if needed roll in another with different requirements.
> Presently we get about 160 degrees wrap around. The images are simply edge
> butted together there is no hardware device doing any blending - just
> plenty
> of adjustments and time.
>
> Voice comms are a real aircraft 4 place intercom and headsets - just a
> cheap
> unit imported from China. Audio is fed into it from the Sim PC as needed
> via
> an source input on the unit.
>
> A single fairly grunty PC runs XPlane,the visuals and primary flight
> controls.
> The PC has 4Gb RAM, quadcore CPU, and three high end graphics cards. Each
> card drives a single projector. OS is Windows Server 2008. Another PC
> drives
> all the instruments and avioncs and comms to Xplane. Third PC drives the
> dual screen instructor station.
>
> I have a bunch of pictures of the build (over many years) on my personal
> website (www.chrisb.co.nz) under "The photo gallery" section then LS172
> simulator project.
>
> Enjoy.
> ChrisB
>
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
> signature
> database 4969 (20100323) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech@simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page. Thanks!
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1180 is a reply to message #1178 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 18:23 |
William Segal
Messages: 62
Registered: January 2009 |
Member |
|
|
Seven Years Rick we won't be here here that long and throw away the
wife,kids,checkbook ,camera'
Bill
On Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 5:45 PM, Brian Sikkema <brian@sikkema.us> wrote:
> Wow!!! Normally I view any claims of "finishing" a project around here
> with great suspicion and animosity, but that looks truly gorgeous!! Well
> done.
>
> That being said, I NEED more details about that projection system!!! It
> would be absolutely perfect for my dream. Er, I mean sim. No, wait,
> dream seems more appropriate....
>
> Brian
>
> Chris Brace wrote:
>> Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech@simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page. Thanks!
>
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1181 is a reply to message #1180 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 18:32 |
Rick Davis
Messages: 128
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
|
|
About right Billy. But I've had my fun.
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Segal" <catalina299@gmail.com>
To: <brian@sikkema.us>; "Simulator Cockpit Builder's List"
<simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 9:23 PM
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
Seven Years Rick we won't be here here that long and throw away the
wife,kids,checkbook ,camera'
Bill
On Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 5:45 PM, Brian Sikkema <brian@sikkema.us> wrote:
> Wow!!! Normally I view any claims of "finishing" a project around here
> with great suspicion and animosity, but that looks truly gorgeous!! Well
> done.
>
> That being said, I NEED more details about that projection system!!! It
> would be absolutely perfect for my dream. Er, I mean sim. No, wait,
> dream seems more appropriate....
>
> Brian
>
> Chris Brace wrote:
>> Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Simpits-tech mailing list
> Simpits-tech@simpits.org
> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
> page. Thanks!
>
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1183 is a reply to message #1177 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 20:02 |
Chris Brace
Messages: 5
Registered: March 2010 |
Junior Member |
|
|
To tell the truth it's been in this state for a few months now and flying it
becomes less and less attractive.
Probably because its done and there is nothing left to do.
And so in keeping with the simpit spirit.....it's time to upgrade!!!
Anyone seen my wife, she was around here somewhere.......<click goes the
door>
~C
-----Original Message-----
From: simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org] On Behalf Of Roy Coates
Sent: Wednesday, 24 March 2010 12:53
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
On Wed, 24 Mar 2010, Chris Brace wrote:
> Thanks Roy,
> Good things take time!
If it was easy - everyone would be doing it, and - it would be no fun !
The big question now is, will you be happy to actually fly the thing, or
are you already planning the next simpit? ;-)
--
Roy Coates.
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
---
Lord, If I must have an instrument failure, please let it be the Hobbs
meter.
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
---
_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech@simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.
Thanks!
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page. Thanks!
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1184 is a reply to message #1178 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 20:04 |
Chris Brace
Messages: 5
Registered: March 2010 |
Junior Member |
|
|
Stay tuned Brian, i'll recor a video specifically on the projection system
for you guys shortly (a few days)
-----Original Message-----
From: simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org] On Behalf Of Brian Sikkema
Sent: Wednesday, 24 March 2010 13:45
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
Wow!!! Normally I view any claims of "finishing" a project around here
with great suspicion and animosity, but that looks truly gorgeous!! Well
done.
That being said, I NEED more details about that projection system!!! It
would be absolutely perfect for my dream. Er, I mean sim. No, wait,
dream seems more appropriate....
Brian
Chris Brace wrote:
> Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
>
_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech@simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above page.
Thanks!
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
_______________________________________________
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| Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done! [message #1185 is a reply to message #1179 ] |
Tue, 23 March 2010 20:07 |
Chris Brace
Messages: 5
Registered: March 2010 |
Junior Member |
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Hey Rick,
Way down in little New Zealand, come on down anytime you like.
As for Xplane, we found the development team quite good to deal with, in
fact we actually found a few small issues with the plugin system that they
fixed specifically at our request in the releases over time.
There are of course a many things that are just plain beyond comprehension
with it too....
But that is another story
-----Original Message-----
From: simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces@simpits.org] On Behalf Of Rick Davis
Sent: Wednesday, 24 March 2010 14:00
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
Chris,
Exactly, where do you live? I'd like to come visit. LOL
10 stars. X-Plane project of the year!
Fabulous.
Rick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Brace" <chris@renovo.co.nz>
To: <Simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 6:54 PM
Subject: [simpits-tech] Finally its done!
> Guys, quick update on my C172 project. Finally its done!
>
> First of all many thanks to many of you, for those little gems and
> inspirations that kept Greg and I plugging away at what seemed impossible
> solutions. This has been one of those long term projects that suffers from
> the usual stop/start/motivation/money/life problems but we got there in
> the
> end. And the results speak for themselves.
>
> Check out the video of the sim in action here
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W2omkBwirU
>
> A few things about it. Build time has been around 7 years! Been through
> several iterations of software and hardware but settled now on xplane.
>
> Simulator is Xplane 9.4. Instruments are early simkits with a CCU. All
> interfacing is via an XPlane plugin we wrote ourselves that does all the
> hard work and is modeled very similarly to FSX's SimConnect in principle.
>
> Primary flight controls are custom made with the electronics being a
> plasma.
> Rudder pedals are from aircraft spruce and the mechanisms (with toe
> breaks)
> is inhouse designed and built.
>
> The complete avionics stack is custom design and built Most the parts are
> laser
> cut- yes we even bought a laser cutter of our own to do the job. Displays
> and I/O are Phidgets. Each unit is completely separate much like the real
> deal. They all bolt into a chassis that can be removed as a single unit
> and
> bench run if needed from a single USB connection and power.
>
> Circuit breakers are also custom made. Again each CB is a separate unit.
> All
> are driven by a Phidget 16/16 board. Again each is made from laser cut
> acrylic and various parts.
>
> The cessna shell is custom made. I measured up the real thing, drew my own
> set of plans and then set about building it. Mostly its 18mm MDF but all
> jointed with aluminium L sections and M6 bolts.
>
> Projection is the interesting part. Three ultra short throw projectors
> (1024x768 res each). Each screen is about 1500mm wide (about 60 inches)
> and
> is rear projected with a single mirror that folds the image back onto the
> screen.
> Projection distance is 950mm (2 x 470mm) or about 38 inches in total
> length.
> Everything is adjustable, screen height, screen angle, projector angles
> and
> position, folding mirror angle etc. This was done so that we could roll
> out
> one sim shell and if needed roll in another with different requirements.
> Presently we get about 160 degrees wrap around. The images are simply edge
> butted together there is no hardware device doing any blending - just
> plenty
> of adjustments and time.
>
> Voice comms are a real aircraft 4 place intercom and headsets - just a
> cheap
> unit imported from China. Audio is fed into it from the Sim PC as needed
> via
> an source input on the unit.
>
> A single fairly grunty PC runs XPlane,the visuals and primary flight
> controls.
> The PC has 4Gb RAM, quadcore CPU, and three high end graphics cards. Each
> card drives a single projector. OS is Windows Server 2008. Another PC
> drives
> all the instruments and avioncs and comms to Xplane. Third PC drives the
> dual screen instructor station.
>
> I have a bunch of pictures of the build (over many years) on my personal
> website (www.chrisb.co.nz) under "The photo gallery" section then LS172
> simulator project.
>
> Enjoy.
> ChrisB
>
>
>
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database 4969 (20100323) __________
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http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 4969 (20100323) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
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