767 Cockpit build launched

[mascot]

Hi all

I am part of this Forum for several years now and I was always watching all of yours progress and accomplishments. Now I feel its time to share some of my first small steps.

Over the past 3 years I have been gathering and collecting parts and information for my 767 cockpit from various sources. And now I have finally made the first steps towards my dual seat trainer...

I have several items so far (only to name the big ones):
-767 G-Throttle from Throttletek
-767 MIP and Panels from FDS
-A set of original 767 yokes
-747/767 CDU from Engravity
-MCP and Radios (in grey, but they will do for the moment)
-Rudder pedals
-24" touchscreen for the overhead
---

The last couple of weeks I have spend my evenings in my little machine shop in my basement where I was working on the Yoke bases and the interconnection of Capt. and F/O yokes. Here are a couple of pics to show the first progress:

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Capt and F/O Yoke bases before assembly.

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Yokes with adaptors to yoke bases.

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bases partially mounted. (the part on the L and R side is for the Aileron axis)

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Capt base assembled and mounted.

7444
Quick and dirty setup, just to try the function. Works like a charm. (Aileron interconnection is missing in this picture).

Next step will be to implement the resolvers and the centering springs and gasstruts...

I have a very long way to go but I am sure it will be challenging and a lot of fun.

Feel free to share any hints, questions or helpfull information what not to do;-)...

Best regards

Simon

[jonesthesoftware]

Hi Simon
You've certainly collected some great gear. It will look fantastic when it all comes together. As a matter of interest why are you going with the resolvers? Surely you only need a simple pot to connect to FS via interface boards.
Are you also a member of this group for 767 cockpit builders?

b767homecockpitbuilders : B767 Home Cockpit Builders (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/b767homecockpitbuilders/)

you can find all you need for your 767 there.
kind regards
geoff

[mascot]

Hi Geoff

Thank you for your reply.

Sorry I guess I picked the wrong name for the Pots. I am a Aircraft Maintenance engineer by profession and thats what they are called in the real world. I am not sure if I am going to use linear or rotable 10kOhm Pots. I will see when I get there.

Thank you also for the hint with the yahoo group. I will have to create a yahoo account and I will be there for sure.

Best regards

Simon

[jonesthesoftware]

Hi Simon
I used to programme robots in car factories and they use angular resolvers which give the angle of the arms very accurately but of course need expensive circuits to be able to get and use the values, as you have real yokes I thought that was what was originally used by Boeing.
regards
geoff

[mascot]

Thats right, in real world aviation they use resolvers mainly to interface the yokes, Rudders brakepeddals etc, movement for fly by wire (if equipped) or to get Flightcontrol inputs to several controllers and computers like Flight data recorders and Navigational and performance computers for autoflight purposes etc. Thats why I used the term. On the yokes itself (thats what I have) there is no input devices at all. They are all located below the cockpit floor at the crossover tubes and interconnection linkages, very similar to what I am going to do. Pots will be sufficient in accuracy and there is a wide range available including the interfaces.

You have a very nice setup, I love the Throttle. Is it selfmade? Looks brilliant.

Best regards

Simon

[jonesthesoftware]

Hi Simon
Yes I made the THQ myself from aluminium and acrylic. I have a Chinese CNC machine, cheap and cheerful but German shafts and nuts so OK and accurate.
I made everything myself except the FMC from Open Cockpits but I'll make the second FMC myself at some stage.
7445

regards
geoff

[mascot]

Wow impressive, I am a oldschool analog guy and use a Emco lathe and milling machine. No CNC at his time. I am quite afraid of drawing and designing parts in a PC programm... I guess I just need to see and feel the parts;-) For some parts there is no way around it tough...

I have applied for the group you mentioned previously and I hope the see some gret stuff there aswell. Maybe I can help others aswell, if needed.

Regards

Simon

[Geremy Britton]

Simon,

Very nice! Really live the work on the yokes, i love seeing real aviation parts brought back to life :)
Best of luck with the project - nice to have some variation to 737's!

Best Regards

[mascot]

Geremy,

thank you for the kind words. I will keep you guys updated every now and then... Progress will be slow but steady I hope...

Best regards

Simon