[simpits-tech] Starting off

[Roy Coates]

On Fri, 7 Nov 2008, Clyde Stemberg wrote:

> Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me some help as how to start
> off a sim project.  I would like to make a good sized cockpit, maybe
> using a kingair 350 as my plane. things i would need help on is what to
> use to start building? i.e lumber, metal etc. second is equipment,
> radios switchs flight displays and flight instrunments. How to hook them
> all together. then video projection or the screens to display the
> flight. Thanks.


Hi Clyde. There are several routes you might take depending on what you
are trying to achieve, how much cash/time/space you have, and of course on
your skill levels.

If you are going to go the easier route and use say a car seat and a
screen to display your instruments - those items will dictate many of the
simpit dimensions for you.  If you are going to use a real aircraft shell
(oh boy is that hard!) then the dimensions are set - it's just the
interfacing that is hard.

Do you just want a simpit for one aircraft or do you want it to be more
felxible?

There are many toys out there for hooking up your switches, lights and
gauges etc - again, your skill levels will determine much of what you
choose. For switch inputs I can highly recommend the hagstrom KE72
(www.hagstromelectronics.com) as a very robust and easy interface to use.
These guys also do a rotary encoder and potentiometer interface which
works with the KE72.

Remember, there's a lot of skilled and experienced people on this list and
most of them seem fairly tame, house-broken and helpful!

Decide what kind of pit you want - and start building!  Once you start,
the addiction bites and you'll both love and hate every minute of it !

hope this helps some.

Roy.


--

Roy Coates.
Dept of Engineering.
Liverpool University.
E-Mail: r.coates at liv.ac.uk
Tel: 0151 794 4862
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Lord, If I must have an instrument failure, please let it be the Hobbs meter.
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