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View Full Version : New product preview: Control column



dnoize
11-15-2006, 04:28 AM
Something alot of people have been waiting for, so here is a status update on the control column.

We are very close to finishing this much wanted piece.
Expected release date is Q1 2007.

Some of the features:

* heavy duty design
* full functional
* total column + Yoke
* can be used seperately or dual linked.

AND...(you guys will love this)....

* motorized control load to feel the forces when flying.
* Auto movement when flying on auto pliot.

Below a few pictures to give you an idea of the looks and quality:

Stef

http://home.casema.nl/pago/yoke1.jpg
http://home.casema.nl/pago/yoke2.jpg
http://home.casema.nl/pago/yoke3.jpg
http://home.casema.nl/pago/yoke4.jpg

Matt Olieman
11-15-2006, 08:50 AM
WOW!!!! and absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

That is on e piece of beautiful workmanship. Guy's you've done a fantastic job.

Congratulations!!!!

Michael Carter
11-15-2006, 01:29 PM
What is the estimated retail price for this at this time?

dnoize
11-16-2006, 09:22 AM
Hard to say now since development has not been fully finished yet. A price will only be given when final production models are ready to be launched.

The control column will be aimed at the high end market.

Stef

W9XE/Project777
11-16-2006, 08:44 PM
Stef

This is just too cool...
* motorized control load to feel the forces when flying.
* Auto movement when flying on auto pliot.

BTW just heard the announcement on www.ifcradio.info (http://www.ifcradio.info) The new name change to Fly Engravity.

They also mentioned Fly Engravity going to IFC NEC.

IFC Radio is really taking off

Jan Pemöller
09-13-2007, 11:40 AM
any news here ?

Westozy
09-13-2007, 06:47 PM
Yeah right, it's a real one!

Seriously though, that is fantastic, I am drooling. My sim is screaming out for replica yokes, and they were always on the horizon. I'm already having the house valued for a second mortgage in anticipation of your pricing announcement. My plan was to buy real ones from the US at $300each.
Q. Will the yoke handle be available seperately without all the fruit? I already have my dual control working sweet.
Q. Would you like to send 2 free samples for a product review in Computer Pilot? Lol!!!!

Regards, Gwyn

Michael Carter
09-13-2007, 11:38 PM
First Q of 07 has come and gone. You might be better off getting a pair from Nick at APHS.

I too was interested in this yoke, but wasn't interested in the wait. Same with the chair.

I'd be interested in knowing where the trip reminders and trim switches were sourced from. Those are nearly unobtainable, though Nick has the trip reminders. Not sure about the trim switches.

dnoize
09-14-2007, 03:38 AM
Development is still in progress.

Programming and fine tunning of the forces takes alot of time.
We want do do it right or not do it at all since this gear will be used in pro setups.

For those thinking of buying real columns, go for it. These units will be prices way above the real units taken out of an old 200 (i think you can get yoke and column together for around 500 each side).

Our control columns will be priced way above, due to custom machining, software programming and control forces. This is not a toy, its pro equipment.

Trim switches and trip reminder are custom made by us and are not available seperately, neither are the yokes... sorry, but theres others supplying those.

Stef

Jan Pemöller
09-14-2007, 05:43 AM
Will you have news at Lelystad FS Weekend?
I am planing to visit this great show this year again ...

Best regards
Jan

dnoize
09-14-2007, 09:35 AM
yes we will.

Geremy Britton
09-14-2007, 11:23 AM
As much as would like one! (and i dont suppose i'm on my own)they will be way out of my price range so i will just be sticking with building my own :(

ak49er
09-14-2007, 11:42 AM
Check out http://www.universalflight.com/ These guys have several different designs of yokes and columns. Additionally I believe they sell just the switches and/or yokes seperate from their dual control setups. My favorite part; if you scour every imaginable link in their website, one can find CAD drawings of most every part shown. Tis may be an option fro those of us just "slightly" under the pro level.

Michael Carter
09-14-2007, 11:54 AM
I don't know if you could get any more 'professional' that having the real Boeing yoke perched on top of the control column.

All of the switches on mine do exactly as Boeing designed them. The artificial feel system may not be 'pro' but it's good enough for me.

Nice yokes and columns if you have the resources, but there are other things for me to blow my cash on.

ralmav
09-14-2007, 12:00 PM
and check out : http://www.simparts.de/ i got my jokes from them. They sell jokes and trim switches seperately. The jokes are exact replicas of the real ones.

@Jan : i'll be at the Lelystad FS Weekend together with Jörg from Simparts.

best regards

Ralf

Westozy
09-14-2007, 07:27 PM
I don't know if you could get any more 'professional' that having the real Boeing yoke perched on top of the control column.

All of the switches on mine do exactly as Boeing designed them. The artificial feel system may not be 'pro' but it's good enough for me.

Nice yokes and columns if you have the resources, but there are other things for me to blow my cash on.


I agree Mike, if a product is aimed at high end market, there will be limited sales to the wealthy elite pro builders no doubt. If making the yoke handles is part of the process anyway, why not sell them to the many amatuers who want them? It makes good business sense to me and I'm surprised Engravity are passing this up. Their products are such high quality it's a shame. I guess another vendor who can make yokes will pop up and fill the gap. Robert & Stef, please have a rethink!

I might have to have another look at yoke manufacture, I was thinking about this before as one of my best mates owns a third of a Taiwanese plastics factory. 'Aerosim Solutions' will investigate the possibilities. My first foray into pro sim part manufacture has seen me swamped with requests, there are so many cockpit builders frustrated with the lack of suppliers. It seems to me like all of the respected well established vendors are going "high end" and leaving the hobbyist behind to scratch in the dirt. NO OFFENCE Engravity! I own some of your parts and have promoted you in CP mag, love your work!

Gwyn

Westozy
09-14-2007, 07:40 PM
and check out : http://www.simparts.de/ i got my jokes from them. They sell jokes and trim switches seperately. The jokes are exact replicas of the real ones.

@Jan : i'll be at the Lelystad FS Weekend together with Jörg from Simparts.

best regards

Ralf

Good link Ralf, the white Boeing yoke in raw form looks like a good possibility. I can make the trim hardware etc and save a heap.

Cheers, Gwyn

dnoize
09-15-2007, 02:49 AM
No Offense taken Gwyn,

I understand what you are saying, but its not as simple as that.

Ofcourse we have thought of offering the Yoke horns seperately, but we simply cant do that at a competitive price !

There are others filling that gap. I know of at least 3 companies offering Yoke horns in the 200 $ range. 1 of them mentioned in this topic.

Jörg from simparts offers a great yoke in that price range for home builders.

Our costs of producing is many many times higher than that....and if you look at our close up pictures starting this topic, you (as an engineer) should understand why.

Most people see a bit of moulded plastic. But theres alot more to it. All parts are custom designed an manufactured, trim switchen, mic switches, memory device, etc. All of these are professionally produced, many outsourced. Engineers and production plants have to be paid, etc. Sure...i can make a resin mold tomorrow for all these parts. Would cut down the price, but will not meet our demand.

The control columns will be motorized and this involves high forces. Trust me, in some situations you will have to put some weight on the Yokes.
Any idea what would happen with a resin mold yoke ? You would end up with 2 fighter stick grips ;-) Even when reinforced with a tube...maybe the parts would stay together, but the resin would crack.

When you build a non force control column yourself that no big problem and the resin yokes are more than sufficient. Then go for Jörgs (simparts) yoke horns. I think they are a great deal.

But if your yokes are used 10 hours a day by pro's (and believe me...they will abuse the sim ;-) ) , then you just need something else.

I would love to offer our yokes for 200 $. But we cant...we simply cant...we would be out of business in no time.

So to earn back all develepment costs (and trust me, these are huge: our own input interface, the motors interface, gears, software for the forces, etc), we HAVE to aim this product at the high end market.

However this doesnt mean we turn our backs to the home builders. We never did in the past and will not in the future. If you go to our site you will see that we still offer many parts for the home builder. (in fact, most of our pro parts arent even mentioned on the site).

pfeww...had to get this off my chest ;-)

Stef

Trevor Hale
09-15-2007, 10:02 AM
Stef,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. It clears things up and makes a lot of sense.


Trev

Gsey
09-15-2007, 12:53 PM
Also have a look here. They sell nice products for many types of aircraft. http://www.routech.ro/

Gary

Westozy
09-15-2007, 07:10 PM
However this doesnt mean we turn our backs to the home builders. We never did in the past and will not in the future. If you go to our site you will see that we still offer many parts for the home builder. (in fact, most of our pro parts arent even mentioned on the site).

pfeww...had to get this off my chest ;-)

Stef

Understood mate, and the above is good to hear!
Gwyn