General aviation force feedback yoke for Cessna sim

[iwik]

Hi Olli ans All,
Ive attached some pics of my completed FFB Yoke and plans and details can be found here.
http://buggies.builtforfun.co.uk/Sim/FFB-yoke-1.php

Anybody interested in serious simming just has to build one of these. I cannot say enough how much
more immersive my simming has become since completeing this. Options available to tweak to ones liking
is phenominal. I cant go into the w/s and do anything untill i fire up my crappy 15" laptop and fly.
To hear the engine sounds and have the contant vibration of RPM and flying forces is incredible. I know its more
expensive than a conventional yoke but the rewards are unmeasureable.
Please go to Ians site and download the plans and have a look, he has the software available and the driver boards
for the Brushless Motors( these have to be sourced, links are given) used.
Also consider the possibility of building the yoke and upgrade it to FFB when you can afford it.
The yoke itself is extremely smooth which i cant say applies to any of the Ch, Saitek or PFC ones i own.Im sure one could
add springs to get by till the upgrade.
If you guys can build Shells and Panels then im sure you can cut out 12mm ply to make one. Or a local woodworking
place could cut one for u. Costs to make the basic yoke is very little ,bearings i sourced from VXB.com.
Anyone want anymore details please ask as Ian monitors this board and is more than happy to help. His support is
fantastic.
No i dont have any association with his company but have built his Motion Platfform and can vouch for his plans.
You heavy metal people are not missing out, the unit has been fitted to these columns as well and works well.
So give some serious thought you wont regret it.

Regards
Les

[Cessna172sim]

First of all, Les, great stuff! I can also very warmly recommend this yoke solution.

Few pictures of the instrument /electronic/battery casing:
kuva1.jpg
kuva2.jpg
kuva4.jpg

+ Finished force feedback yoke assembly:
kuva3.jpg

Everything is running smoothly in the test bench already. During the spring we will move the unit to it's final place to the C172 sim fuselage.

[Cessna172sim]

Here's the joint between C172 yoke and force feedback unit:
nivel.jpg

[iwik]

Hi Olli,
Nice work, hopefully will do the trick for you.
My one has been going well, found a couple of bugs so keep an eye on Ian's site
and update your software.

Regards
Les

[Cessna172sim]

The unit is now connected to the C172 control yoke. Some pics here (upper cowling removed):
http://www.lentosimulaattori.1g.fi/k...t/IMG_0753.JPG

[iwik]

Olli,
Very nicely done,how does it feel?. Since last talking with you i have had a chance to try the
Flight Illusion one. Not impressed with the feel unpowered quite gritty feeling.
Powered wasnt to bad and had someone else try both and his preference was for Ian's one.
Still very pleased with it.
Les

[Cessna172sim]

Hi Les,

We still haven't had time to test the unit but will advice as soon as we have tested it.

BR,
OP

[IanH1960]

HI OP,

...just back from my travels and had a first look at your unit photos.

Are you still using the original Y-bar in the mechanism - I can't see it? If so, you will need to use a pinned joint between the force unit underside and the "table" it is mounted on otherwise the FFB unit will be over-constrained. The FFB unit would need to be free to pitch nose up/down slighty as the Y-bar rocks back and forward as the elevator is controlled.

...sorry if I am viewing it wrongly......

Ian

[Cessna172sim]

Hi,

Instead of metal pin joint we are using flexible polyurethane suspension that is attached into the bottom of the unit. This should do the same trick.

You can see the polyurethane joints here (blue color):

http://www.lentosimulaattori.1g.fi/k...t/IMG_0759.JPG

BR,
OP

[IanH1960]

...neat idea, let us know how it goes when you get it powered up....

Ian