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GA Pits using SimAVIO and X-Plane
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Gentlemen, marvelous work.
This is my first post on this forum, since I joined last night. I am in the process of building a six-lever throttle quadrant similar to a Beech Baron, and I found some real nice info on www.baron58.com regarding the subject. I am simming on X-plane, simply because I like the way the software "works", but FS2004 is floating around in the background as well. If anyone of you do have a wiring diagram with a USB interface, I would appreciate it if I could get my grubby paws on such a diagram.
Thank you in advance.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Pretty cool. I like what you have constructed. What is the aircraft your flying? I know the beech aircraft have a ton of gauges making it hard to build a simpit for but you've done a really good job.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Thanks Ron ,it is the beech kingair 350 i've jus added a trim wheel by desktop aviator soon to make a duel trim wheel out of it , i have a ac/dc converter also that is powering my backlights and my car amp i have 2 12inch sub woofer speakers behind the seats and a 10 inch sub under the seats u can really feel and hear the kingair as u start up or advance the throttle but as the bass drops the lights dim lol so i bought another converter but didnt hook it up as yet, my cockpit as is, is not finish by far! i built everything in a rush just to get my flying on but i have plans to re do everything in a beta way in the near future im leaning towards getting more stuff from desttop aviator like nobs and incoders and switches and pulse generators so i can have a real kingair350 simpit but for now this does the trick ,im also a private pilot and im using my sim for training ifr on vatsim im stuck for the next 2 years to go back to flight school so thats y i built a sim
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Attachment 6673
Here's my set up. Used spare wood sitting around the garage. It's mostly generic...with the overhead panel it gives the feel of a 737ish and the main panel is GA. Overhead panel is a print of an overhead with real switches installed. The gauges on the main panel are also photo cutouts but with the holes behind to allow the light behind the panel to shine through making the gauges light up. All in all I am pretty happy with it especially since I just started making it with no real plan in mind. Oh, the GPS...if you can see it...is also a cutout but with real switches installed on it so I can work the GPS from there and not have to use the mouse. Not seen in the picture (because I havne't installed it yet) is a Saitek switch panel (lights, battery etc)
I plan on replacing the "cutout" GPS with a small 7in touch screen monitor. Also, what is your opinion on this...I want to add a second monitor to be used just for gauges and put it under the monitor seen in the picture which would replace the cutout gauges I have on the panel. I have a hard time visualizing if it will look better or not.
Let me know what you think...open to suggestions but most of my budget went to the Saitek stuff and switches.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
i like it.. Very clean and well designed.
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3 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
I have just made a cockpit for Japan aviation high-school, using VRinsight prop cockpit trainer.
One high performance PC with GTX680, 3 outside view monitors,and VR Propit monitor.
Attachment 6774Attachment 6775Attachment 6776
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5 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
My GA Pit. I will post more pics soon.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jer166
My GA Pit. I will post more pics soon.
Hi,
Looks good! One thing that seems to be a bit out of the place is the upper cowling handles. Now those seems to be too center of the cowling. Check out this picture for reference:
http://lentosimulaattori.1g.fi/#/kuv...2/IMG_2715.JPG
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5 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
My build lost lift and thrust earlier this year. Translate that cash and time ;) However I am hoping to get things back off the ground in a month or so.
I've been a Flight Sim junkie since the days of SubLogic's Flight Sim version 2 on my Commodore 64 up through all the MS versions and now on FSX. My sim pit build is being done using a Cessna 172 fuselage and like one other poster said, I big Thank You! goes to Vectro for a lot of great examples, advise, and inspiration.
Here are a few pics showing the evolution of my flight sim experience and project from the early 80's thru today
Attachment 6976 Attachment 6977 Attachment 6979 Attachment 6980 Attachment 6981
Until the fuselage is finished I am flying a desk so to speak as seen below. These pictures are from the banner on my webpage and blog MyCessnaSim The first pic is my Commodore 64 running SubLogic's Flight Sim v2. The second pic was my first IBM pc clone running MS Flight Sim 98. The next pc shows my current desktop sim using FSX on an Core I5 HP platform complete with dual monitors, Saitek Panels, CH Yoke, and DIY Rudder pedals. The last two pics are of the plane and fuselage section that I am converting into my new flight sim.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Wow! Do you still have that computer on your first pic? I was too busy breakdancing around that time. I got addicted to flight simming not until late 90's.
Good stuff Tom =)
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Louie Mendez
Wow! Do you still have that computer on your first pic? I was too busy breakdancing around that time. I got addicted to flight simming not until late 90's.
Good stuff Tom =)
Actually, I do.
It was also part of a ham radio computer relay station after I moved my flight sim to the pc clone. The C64 along with the Sub Logic Flight Sim software are boxed up in storage. I was toying with setting it up again after I get the full flight sim built as a then and now kind of display.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tom_G_2010
Actually, I do.
It was also part of a ham radio computer relay station after I moved my flight sim to the pc clone. The C64 along with the Sub Logic Flight Sim software are boxed up in storage. I was toying with setting it up again after I get the full flight sim built as a then and now kind of display.
Good to hear that I've been useful for other projects also. You should definitely continue your project. Put it on the hold for a while and then continue. You have a real priviledge to own a real fuselage.
My history with the computers is exactly the same. Started with C64 and FS2. :)
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Some more work has been done on the simulator since I last posted photos. The overhead monitor will be flush mounted and have a bezel cover eventually.
Attachment 6987
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Greetings all! It’s been a while since I’ve had time to look around the forums! I hope all of you are doing well and coming up with some awesome sims. Looks like it!
I finally got around to putting a brief summary of my Cessna build. It’s functionally complete, just have lots of cosmetic things to address.
I started with a Cessna 172/K fuse’ and it’s running X-Plane on 6 PC’s - 5 for display and one for the panel. I wanted to keep much of the original airplane’s controls, so yokes, pedals, toe brakes, throttle, mixture, trim wheel and switches are all retained and functional. I wanted to use SimKits instruments, but cost was the deterrent. The sim also runs PilotEdge for ATC, which MAKES the sim. It’s the icing on the cake!
You can check it out at www.digitalpencildesigns.com/simulator.html
Keep up the great work you guys!
Attachment 7025
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Like to look at what other builders have been able to do.
Shawn, Did you build the gauges?
Jake
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
flyinjake
Like to look at what other builders have been able to do.
Shawn, Did you build the gauges?
Jake
The gauges are displayed on monitors with a sheet of PVC covering them. I used PVC tube to create the bezels. Its simple but seems to work well enough, much more realistic than the whole monitor showing.
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9 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
A few photos of past and present projects, the Hornet was an EPIC card run system and the Cessna is running cards from Desktop Aviator and Arduino.
Thanks to Louie Mendez for his great cockpit addons which make work a lot easier. Also thanks to The gauges factory for absolute brilliant gauges which I cannot believe are freeware.
The hole above the NAV radios houses the Saitek A/P which I had not installed in the panel when the pics where taken. I have now also decked the floor with marine carpet which makes an improvement.
Still working on the seats so I will post some photos when done.
Cheers, Brian
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Wow some great work here, heres a short vid of my work in progress:
Fsx simulator sneak peek 3 - YouTube
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4 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
We have built 2 simulators at the Norwegian Defense Aircraft collection (Museum in Norway). The first is a Cessna 182 GA pit built into an old Cessna cabin. The simulator is used to give our guests a short flight experience guided by an instructor.
The Simulator is FSX based and use Simkits an VRInsight equipment besides some homebuilt components.
We use Instructor Station to control the sim and help the “Pilot” to a good experience.
The other simulator is built for kids. Its built into a plywood cockpit and uses a small monitor for gauges. It’s a very simple setup, but it actually is one of the most popular items in our exhibition (:
A couple of pictures are attached.
/Blouberg
Attachment 8227Attachment 8228
Attachment 8229Attachment 8230
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Work in motion...Baron 58..Fully working MDF & PDF G1000's.........Attachment 9338
All gauges are servo driven with backlite.....
Airspeed indicator is backlit with stepper motor.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Adding my GA pit, that I built last week from scratch. It will replace my old simpit that was really a piece of junk.
The most interesting part of the design is that it includes both single engine TPM and multiple engine throttle quadrant.
Autopilot and annunciator panel will be moved from the central pedestal to underneath glareshield.
Wood was savaged from old shelf and two old small kitchen cabinets. Had to add new screws for 7$ :).
Attachment 9445
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Latest sim pic - currently rebuilding the box holding the monitor and saitek panels - any plans or ideas are more than welcome. Thx
DustBeats
http://fsfiles.org/flightsimshotsv2/...1/hYxSf.th.jpg
Cannibalized a friends road case..lol
http://fsfiles.org/flightsimshotsv2/...1/0CX1O.th.jpg
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Hi Pilots...
I just updated my budget GA pit and maybe you'll like it. The shell is made of some wood covered with Foam board, so that was cheap. Then as you can see I use five monitors with two of them for instruments panel and radio panels hooked up by two usb monitor conectors. I fly all kinds of planes so I have several panels which I use as I change planes. Since I use software for the instruments I can switch them as I wish or need.
Attachment 9653
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Nice job. I'm looking to start building mine soon, but am stuck for ideas as to what to use for bezels for the instruments, what did you use? Also, are you using Arduino or something for the switches etc?
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Hi, I am a real amateur when it comes to building stuff, but I am a Roman reenactor, so creating working replicas of things, I can do quite well if I plan!
This is my Britten-Norman Islander BN-2 cockpit build. Why the BN-2? I don't know, I'm English and its an English design, but I have never flown in one, and only seen one in the air once , landing at Bembridge, where they are assembled.
I already had all the kit for this, I just had to buy a refurb iPad for my instruments (£180) but the wood was left over from a kitchen build, the glareshield is formed from layers of cardboard the PC came in, I scavenged a piece of carpet from a local shop for free for the footwell, and the leatherette finish was around £6 on eBsy. Oh yes, bought the fuel selector too, though that does not work with the BN-2, I use that when flying single engined planes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psldy4jqlj.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psvglw9ku8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psrteft2xf.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psiyjggilu.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psow5d9hmx.jpg
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Hi, I am a real amateur when it comes to building stuff, but I am a Roman reenactor, so creating working replicas of things, I can do quite well if I plan!
This is my Britten-Norman Islander BN-2 cockpit build. Why the BN-2? I don't know, I'm English and its an English design, but I have never flown in one, and only seen one in the air once , landing at Bembridge, where they are assembled.
I already had all the kit for this, I just had to buy a refurb iPad for my instruments (£180) but the wood was left over from a kitchen build, the glareshield is formed from layers of cardboard the PC came in, I scavenged a piece of carpet from a local shop for free for the footwell, and the leatherette finish was around £6 on eBsy. Oh yes, bought the fuel selector too, though that does not work with the BN-2, I use that when flying single engined planes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psldy4jqlj.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psvglw9ku8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psrteft2xf.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psiyjggilu.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psow5d9hmx.jpg
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Hi , I`m flying the Cessna 172 ,
Sadly I can`t use A2A Cessna 172 , because the instruments I`m using are from Simkits.
Despite the promises they don`t have drivers for using them with A2A,
Gr Henk
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Cresco/Fletcher home sim. Work in progress but close to finishing.
Can load basic vfr gauge profile for AG/Crop Dusting or full IFR profile for freight flying or just IFR training.
www.crescoproject.wordpress.com
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/atta...id=10457&stc=1
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3 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Based on a C172. The MIP is actually made of a marker board panel board which is quite thin and easy to work with with regular tools. The bezels are actually just plastic cups with the tops cut out and spray painted black. They are just deep enough to allow the depth of the mip material + depth of rotary encoders mounted by the instruments. The panel slopes slightly backwards to help with the viewing angle otherwise the tops of the instruments would be too deep to see and would be covered up by the tops of the cups. The MIP is about 17.5" tall and it slopes back about 3" over the 17.5".
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Very nice work, I love the idea of sloping the MIP backwards slightly to improve the line of sight on the gauges. You can't notice it overall but I'm guessing it helps nicely with the viewing angle. I will be storing yet another great idea hopefully for future use.
Shawn
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Thanks Shawn! The slope really isn't noticeable and it made making the glareshield a bit easier since all I had to do was cut out rectangular pieces since the panel itself was sloped. If anyone wants all the specifics of my project, go here http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/showthread.php?t=29724
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Hi what is the phone based GPS moving map your using?
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6 Attachment(s)
Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
This is my GA budget simulator cockpit based on the Cessna 172N. I use it for many different aircraft such as the Piper 28, Piper 38, Cessna 172SP and Mooney M20.
Instrumentation software is Airmanager and Panelbuilder. Looking to do some hardware upgrades next year. Saitek radio panels and Goflight pedals are one the top of the list. :)
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/atta...id=10735&stc=1
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/atta...id=10736&stc=1
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/atta...id=10737&stc=1
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/atta...id=10738&stc=1
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/atta...id=10739&stc=1
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/atta...id=10740&stc=1
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Wow, am just about to start making something like this myself too. I'm a bit stumped with what to use as bezels for the instruments, I was thinking of using plastic funnels cut don. Do yuo have any hints or tips you could pass on please?
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
I used used plastic mugs of the right size, cut them and then glued them with PVA glue into the holes I have drilled.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Thanks, looks like I'm on the right track then. Hope mine looks something like yours by the time I finish it.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
memorgan
Wow, am just about to start making something like this myself too. I'm a bit stumped with what to use as bezels for the instruments, I was thinking of using plastic funnels cut don. Do yuo have any hints or tips you could pass on please?
I contacted a used aircraft parts store in Florida, and they shipped me actual (unusable) instruments. Just need to mention you want them to look good. Total cost wasn't dramatic and I have actual bezels and glass that fits.
OK that might not be best if you use a monitor, but I like the challenge of interfacing them, and the end result is great.
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Re: Show Us Your GA Pit!
Food for thought. I think though that the interfacing would be beyond my very limited skills, but worth looking into I think. Thanks.
