[simpits-tech] Need a plan

[Bubba]

Matt Bailey wrote:
>
> I'd look into Phidgets. In fact the only real reason I haven't played
> with them yet is I'm using Win98SE and refuse to "upgrade" Windows.
> There is some third-party work being done for Linux support,
> however.......if I can use Python in Linux to program a servo board, I
> might have to try for analog instruments. :)

Oh yeah, forgot about those. I have XP sp2 on this machine (quite happy with 
it, too. It's by far the best version of Win I've used).

Hey Gene, you're the resident Phidget guy, aren't you?

> I'm planning a GPS or MFD type device myself. I'll probably use a
> project box or make my own faceplate for the unit, and pick up some
> tactile buttons from allelectronics.com or some place like that. For a
> display, these little Playstation 1 LCD screens look handy. There was
> some discussion on the list about them recently, it seems they hook
> into  a PC fine with no modification, using the A/V inputs, but resolution
> is  limited to like 320x240 or something like that. By converting the unit
> to handle VGA input directly you can get around 640x480 out of it. But
> for a GPS or MFD, the lower res should do fine. The screen is 5"
> diagonal (about 4" by 3"), just about perfect for a GPS. I'd write my
> own software for logic and display, and grab XYZ coords from X-Plane
> via UDP.

I'm planning on using the same LCD for mine, and I may very well have to 
make my own faceplate/enclosure. If so I'll be doing it "right" and making a 
mold for either vacuformed ABS or laid up fiberglass. Either way I can make 
at least a dozen if you (or anyone else) needs one. I'm just going to send 
the video from an undocked GPS window straight to the LCD. I'm hoping the 
panel SDK will let me take the GPS display out of it's faceplate and send it 
to another monitor in it's own window. If that works, no problem. If not I 
think I can fake it by enlarging/recentering the display so that the bezel 
isn't displayed.

> But right now project #1 is my flight control setup:
>
> http://mattb.serverbob.org/pics/bungees2.jpg
>
> http://mattb.serverbob.org/pics/cockpit.jpg

Interesting idea with the bungees. Do you get much slop right around center? 
My plan is to use leadscrews and steppers to move the anchor points for the 
springs based on airspeed and a little math. The hard part will be the math 
to get extremely low airspeed right on the elevator. I want to be able to 
push the throttle forward and watch the yoke move back as the elevator sees 
some airspeed. The artificial feel units are easy. Just pneumatic cylinders 
with adjustable bleeds. No computer control since they're just simulating 
the friction from the cables, bellcranks, pushrods, etc.

> I've got my eye on a used B8 grip on ebay, and I've got some switches
> on order to make a simple control panel for gear, flaps, and maybe
> some other stuff. X-Plane's current button scheme should allow me to
> interface gear and flap control relatively realistically, using a
> simple toggle switch for gear, and the rapid fire inputs of the Plasma for 
> an
> on-on-momentary 3-position switch for flaps. I also have a three-axis
> vernier throttle box working (it's in cockpit.jpg on the wooden
> stand).

Gear is easy, I'm pretty sure FS9 has the ability to use individual gear up 
and down inputs. I'd really like to have the flaps on an analog input so 
it's possible to "goof" and put the lever between positions. I've been 
arguing with myself about the throttle quadrant. Levers vs. verniers. I 
personally HATE vernier throttles, though push-pull is ok. True verniers 
make rapid throttle changes a bloody nightmare to the point that I designed 
a gizmo that clamps onto the knob and keeps the button pushed for you. I'll 
probably wind up building the throttle quadrant as a module that can be 
swapped out for verniers/levers/single/multi/recip/turbine/etc. I'll 
definately have a 3 lever setup since I finally learned how to operate a 
constant speed prop ;)

> Hey, I flew a Decathlon for a while at flight school and one of the
> most fun things was just cruising around at low altitude for short
> hops  to different locales. A trip to Reno would be great in a little 
> plane
> like this, if you broke it up with impromptu airshows. ;)

Hehe, yeah, it would be fun, but Reno is 2 5 hr. days from here and Citabria 
and autopilot aren't words commonly used together ;) I'd really like the 
Navion we're considering since it's most likely an L-17B and even if it 
isn't it's still ok to paint it in military colors ;) I'm going to be 
instructing in whatever we decide on and I have a feeling I'll be able to 
gather a few more people with an extra line on my advertising: "Learn to fly 
in a warbird." :) Besides, the Navion meets the high performance/complex AC 
requirements since it has 225 hp, retractable gear, and a CS prop. And it 
has a sliding canopy <homer>mmmm... sliding canopy</homer>
-- 
Steve
mysticz28 at swbell.net
He who seeks will find, and he who knocks will be let in.