Yoke placement question:

[Sam_Cordell]

Hello! I am new to the world of simpit building, and Im planning out my cockpit now. I recently ordered an amazing new FSX machine, and am now soon to purchase a new yoke. I currently have the CH Yoke, but mine is very old and is not working properly. Now, I will be purchasing the Precision Flight Controls Saab Desktop yoke. It's pretty expensive ($720) but from reviews, it sounds as if it is worth the money for the quality of the product. My simpit is not going to be based on a specific aircraft (somewhat a 737NG, but not completely). I am worried that because it is not a pedestal yoke, I will be too close to my glareshield or instruments. Do you think that it'll be a problem or will I be okay? Thanks!

Best regards,

-Sam Cordell

[notgotaclue]

Hi,
Why not just spend a little bit more and get the column yoke?
I am using a Saitek yoke as my FO and it does get in the way of the instruments, but my build is slightly lower as I had to squeeze a 737 instrument panel into a business jet nose.
I do have an ACE yoke for the captains side but I cannot (will not) recommend them because although they are great when they work, the customer service is absolutely appalling and if anything goes wrong you are on your own.
Allan.

[Sam_Cordell]

Thanks for the reply! I think I'll save the $200 because the yoke itself is already a bit above what I would usually be willing to spend. Also, I've heard problem about their column yoke. Possibly, I can mount my yoke slightly out from the rest of the panel, giving a bit of space between the panel and me. Thanks for your comment and I will most definitely take your opinion into consideration.

[notgotaclue]

Hi,
If you look at my pit you will see what I mean with the Saitek yoke getting in the way of the instruments. No big deal for me but the co-pilot will have a hard time
As I said, my instrument panel is not to scale and is slightly lower than a normal 737, but you can see what I mean.
Allan.
IMG_9431 (1024x683).jpg

[xplanematt]

PFC is hard to beat......if you are patient, you might be able to scrounge up a used one for much cheaper. I got a PFC (sold for Jeppesen, but still PFC) yoke and the old Jeppesen avionics panel on ebay for around $90 shipped because it was being sold by a pawn shop in slightly rough condition with unknown functionality, plus they didn't really know what it was. I hacked the yoke handle itself to use with my own yoke (amazingly, the yoke I had was better than the one on the PFC unit) and shaft extension, now I have a totally custom yoke with the smoothness and control of PFC. The avionics panel was taken apart for its electronics (there is some good stuff in there).

Anyways, the high-end yokes come up on ebay from time to time. I am really cutting costs where I can, so I choose to wait around for that "great deal". Don't rule out buying a real pedestal yoke and wiring your own electronics to it, the Bodnar boards are great for this.

Matt