home build single engine cockpit

[williehf39]

Hello everybody,

I registred today so I am verry new here and wil introduce myself now. I am a retired man, 71 of age and enthousiast for flightsimming. In august 2014 I started building a cockpit for a single engine aircraft. About two month ago the system was running as I wanted it to run. Now I am buiding the shell or hull. I use plywood and cardboard and aluminum for the dashboard. At this moment the frame is almost ready, I only have to apply a few more capstrips on the ribs and than I can paint the inside and cover the hull with fabric. I have a chair from the Museum for Flightsimulation in Someren and the instruments are all from Saitek. I did build in two speakers and two displays, one 17" for the gauges and one 10" on whitch the flightmap is displayed.
Today I finished the capstrips job. The frame needs only some sandpaper work before I can start painting the inside. After that the fabric will be glued to the frame. It has a silver-aluminum color and is a little stretcheble so I think it will work wel. I will post a few pictures to show my work. And of course I will sent more pictures when the hull is completed with the door.

Regards, Wil

[Stephan Schwarz]

Nice Job, Wil! Really a great pit. Please continue providing pictures.

Regards,
Stephan

[williehf39]

Thanks for your reply Stephan. There was a question about the temperature in the pit when its ready and in use. So in the very beginning I mounted two fans in front of the pedals and an extra switch on the dashboard. The backsite of the shell remains open for the nessesary airflow and the possibilety to learn the grandchilderen flying!! I will post a picture of both the fans in front of the pedfals.
Regards Wil

[Xpendable]

Pretty cool! I started my cockpit in August of last year as well, although I'm a bit younger (40 years of age) and my cockpit is not enclosed. It's just a "panel" on wheels. What planes do you fly with your cockpit?

[steveteva]

Wow nice GA simpit, I can see the panel builder software. I like your shell. I have to build one for my cockpit too but it's a lot of work. Are you planning to use a projector, TV, multi monitors or projectors? for outside views?
I talk about it on my blog: fsxblog.com about pros and cons of each. I will probably get a 55" or 60" HDTV for front view in future but now I'm using monitors.
For immersive flights, get 2 monitors for left and right views but not all scenery will give you great FPS. If the region you fly the most gives you 25FPS min then it's fine.

[williehf39]

Hello Xpendable,
Thank you for your reaction. With my cockpit I fly Cessna (152-172), Beaver, Socata (Tobago-Trinidad) and some older models like Fokker S11, Tiger Moth and Chipmunk. At this moment I am covering the "engine" compartment. In one peace I had to make a hole for the IR beam of the remote control for the sound equipment!! I am going to put a cap on it so it seems to be an exaust!! I post a picture of this solution. If you like flying together some time please let me know. In that case I will sent you the adres of Teamspeak and FSHostClient. But I know that there is a difference in time of at least 6 houres!! But you never know, everything is possible if you want it to happen.
Regards, Wil

[williehf39]

Hello Steve,
Thanks for your reaction. I use a short throw projector that is mounted on the ceiling. Projection on the wall in front of me. I covered the wall with a simple white paper. A professional screen gives a better picture I think, but I am satisfied with this "low budget" solution. When I am finished with the shell of the cockpit I have only a vieuw forward. The windows on the left and right site are covered with Japanese paper. I will post some pictures when the work is done.
Regards, Wil

[steveteva]

Will any news from your single engine cockpit? I've almost done mine with a similar shell as yours.

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10234&stc=1

[williehf39]

Hello Steveteva,
Nice pit, I think a lot less work then mine!! My last work was making a door. The frame is ready and fits in the pit. I even made a lock on it!! To night I am going to paint the inside of the door and after that I can cover everything with the silver fabric. I did one part as a test.
regards, Wil
.

[williehf39]

Some recent pictures.

[williehf39]

Thank you Chinxxx for your reaction. With this reply I am going to update the building situation. At this moment I am applying the the pieces of fabric to the frame. To get some tension on the fabric I made wooden frames of different sizes and strecht the fabric on this frames whith pins on the sides. Then I apply glue on the capstrips and bring the frame in the right position. After about 10 minutes I can remove the pins and the frame, the fabric sticks to the frame. After a drying period of about 2 hours I can cut away the edges and apply the next piece. Some pictures of the work are attached to this post. I think the work is done next week. When ready and the door screwed in position I will post some more pictures.

Regards, Wil

[Embraer170]

Great Job!;)