Interest in Atlanta

Hello,

Tim here from Atlanta GA , USA

I have interest in building a Sim.

In regards to Project Magenta, seems that the cost is over $1000
for a 737 setup.

What are the other alternatives? I have read there are programs
available to run multiple copys of Flight Sim on a network
and share the info between for the different views needed.

One of the things and probably the neatest feature is a moving
throttle quadrant, can you do this with the Phidgets cards
and just Flight Sim by itself?

The cost of building computers has come down dramatically
I am figuring $600-$700 for the main view/server and
the other clients at $400 each , couple LCd's etc...

I have a machine tools, lathe, mill, wood working tools etc.
I would like to build as much as I can myself. This would probably
be the only way I can do it. And I figure it will still cost
about $5000, probably close to $7500 :-)

I did see that there are a few guys not too far from me building.
737 sim and a Lear sim.

I have interest in a 737 setup, but my uncle is a Engineer for
Gulfstream ,so maybe a G5 could be an option, it is a basically
an airliner anyway.

Any info appreciated,
Tim

Hi Tim, welcome to the best builder's site on the web.

There are several options for instruments. You can create your own panel using FS Panel Studio using any gauges you like including gauges from third party aircraft or companies like Reality XP.

There is also some freeware available for builders, and I expect there to be more available in the future with the cost of PM going up.

I'm nearly to the point of the LAN setup for my sim, but that won't happen until next year. There are many here who can explain that setup better than I.

With all of those tools you have, you have a great head start on the high cost of a build. It's always going to be cheaper to produce your own equipment. All it costs is your time and material instead of someone else's + overhead.

I've always liked Gulfstream aircraft ever since I was invited into either a G-IV or G-V to watch them do the pre-start checklist as I was getting ready to depart KJAX on a leg of my commercial cross-country.

I never saw anything like that befor. This was back in '92 or '93. I never saw a video display in a cockpit before then. Even the checklist they were running was on the display for Pete's sake.

Amazing stuff to a stick and rudder pilot back then.

Hi Tim, it's great to see someone from the South interested in Sim building!

You are always welcomed to come down and have a go at flying the Learjet 45 sim- she handles well and it's a blast. If you are able to get around using PM software, then that's great as there are still several issues with each of their software packages, but all in all it's still a great piece of software, although costly. You need to see it working in a sim to appreciate it, but that's my opinion. For what Im doing, Im very glad to have it but I also bought it the day before the price increase.

Having all the tools you need is great and as Michael already said, youre ahead of the game. You just have to be very creative at times. Some items have taken me a few days to engineer in my head, before ever touching a tool. That's when it starts to come together.

Regarding the Gulfstream, that's a great aircraft, but I think you will find yourself in a boat alone on that one, simply because there's very little out there for it in the way of FS.

If I were building something that big, but not an airliner, I would look at the Bombardier Global Express, which is basically a very nice version of a CRJ with a great extened range. CRJ products are available from a few suppliers too.

Hi Tim and welcome to our little whole in the wall. We are very glad you have chosen to join the rest of us brain damaged folks! Let me say this about what you build, as Eric has stated to go with the Citation will not be easy BUT..... That is the aircraft you stated and let me tell you from experience that if you let someone talk you out of the ac that you want to build, you will become very discouraged and will probably quit in mid stream on your build. So knowing this it is not impossible to build. Look at Eric he is building a L45, Trevor is building a Falcon 900EX, Boeing Skunk works is building a 727. My point here is that if that is the aircraft you want to build and you have ability to build most of what you need (and you have stated that is what you intend anyway) then build a Gulfstream man!!

Thanks,

It will be a little while before I start building.

Too many projects, house remodel, boat project, '54 vette etc.....
in that order....

When it starts getting too cold may be able to fit some sim work
in somewhere.

Tim