My Learjet 45 project

**jmig** · 10-28-2007, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Tomlin

Well, thanks everyone.

Regarding the 85% rule, I have to rope myself back in sometimes, but it will definately be used for the yokes and pedals!

Gwyn mentioned that seeing it all coming to life is a great way to push forward- I would have to agree but add to that comment, that the biggest issue is what most of us have- money! If it werent for that, then I would be done in about a month!

It's been fun so far and I might be able to mount my switches in the panel sections temporariliy till I get the real ones made. If so, then I plan to fly along with some of the World Flight routes hopefully. Lots to do in one month though!

For me it isn't the money. It is the time, or lack of. I sometimes think that maybe I should retire. Then I will have the time and no money.

**Tomlin** · 11-20-2007, 11:56 AM

Hi guys

For the past several weeks, I havent 'been around' quite as much due to lots going on, here on my side of the fence. However, it's all been 'good stuff' for the most part and I wanted to post a little update on what's happening with the Learjet sim, and some other recent events. Beware- this could get a bit long!

Although I havent gotten around to posting any photos yet, I now am glad to say that I have seats for the Learjet. In the spirit of holding to Gwyn's 85% rule, I refused to allow my self to buy real seats and I dont have the time to build any. As a result, I went with my cousin (who's helped a lot on this project) to a local junkyard. As you may imagine, I didnt really want to go into what I needed the seats for when the yard owner asked what car I needed seats for. I just basically replied that it was for a project and started looking for the narrowist seats in the best condition. After looking thru a few cars, I found what was initially suggested- a Porsche 924. As I opened the door, I couldnt believe what I was staring at. At the youngest, these seats are 19 years old, but they look brand new. Black leather w/ gray center material and a very light 'Porsche' embossing in the fabric. I needed seats that were clean- these are exceptional. I needed seats that were 20" wide or less. These are 19.5" W. I needed them affordable. These were $75.00 for the pair!

Needless to say, Im very excited. I wish they were gray or tan, but the black will do! No tear-spots or stains of any kind. I believe the owner must have been one person, and very meticulous.

On other parts of the sim, I have recieved a 2nd CH yoke and have now made 2 matching custom columns that are made of high quality materials and painted, looking very professional. This will serve me well until the two yokes can be interconnected sometime next year. Just dont have the time or money to link them right now. Both have been test flown, and there are no problems with conflicts in FS. I have also started the sim base and look forward to finishing it. Brand new grey outdoor carpet purchased last night is going to really bring it together in appearance. I just need to decide how Im to install it on the base.

Several other little things must be done, as well as taking the whole sim apart in about a week for a temporary set up at our church for a charity flight event. No small task!

In real aviation, this past week I had to travel to Tallahassee for 3 days for work training, and it was a year to the week that I made the decision to change from the 737NG to a corporate jet sim. While there, I was thrilled to get the chance to climb aboard a real Learjet 45, and take several pictures as well as talk to the crew to confirm some items for performance/operations of the type. They were very nice and very accomodating! They went as far to say that they would have given me a 'test' flight, if it werent owned by a very popular fractional owner.

All in all, I am plugging forward on the sim and will post lots of new photos soon!

**jmig** · 11-21-2007, 06:01 PM

I look forward to seeing the results. I bet the new seats relites the fire to get it finished. Then...when is a sim ever finished?

**Michael Carter** · 11-21-2007, 11:01 PM

That's good news about your seats. If anyone asks, they came out of a Porsche Mooney.

**Tomlin** · 11-28-2007, 12:47 PM

Hi everyone

Well, you can get a glimpse of what's been keeping me so busy that past month by seeing some new pictures of my project at http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/s...500&ppuser=283

Part 2 will hopefully show the whole thing put together and flyable again, hopefully sometime this weekend or early next week!

Thanks for looking.

**David Rogers** · 11-28-2007, 01:07 PM

Looking great - good to see your panels. Always a great milestone getting your MIP sorted.

**jmig** · 11-28-2007, 01:10 PM

The pictures look like you will have something to be proud of there. Looking forward to seeing it all come together.

**andarlite** · 11-28-2007, 01:20 PM

Nice job on the MIP. Did you do the cutouts yourself?

Regards,
Henry

**Tomlin** · 11-28-2007, 02:18 PM

Hi guys, and thanks. I did do the cut outs myself. Actually, it's crazy how things work out. While I was trying to figure out how I was going to make the whole thing look better for this upcoming charity event, I remembered that I had made some lower panels out of masonite, but they had never been finished. As a result I just simply took the template off of them after completing the cut process and then once all the switches were mountable, I painted them with many MANY coats of Krylon gray (primer and gloss) and it's a nice finish, although a little dark I think.

Anyhow, there's quite a bit more done since these were taken a day ago but I will most likley wait till I have the whole sim put back together before any more pics are uploaded.

I will say this: After making these panels, I can see how the panel makers (commercial suppliers) are well worth (in most cases) the money they charge. Accuracy and proper tooling being the main reason.

**Tomlin** · 12-06-2007, 11:19 AM

Okay, finally I can start showing some pictures of what's been keeping me so busy. Im to the point that although I love my sim, Ive been working so hard to get ready for this upcoming event that I start noticing the shortcomings more than the greatness of it! So, hopefully I will have lots of people show up and show lots of interest in the sim and I know that it will remind me how awesome it is to have your own jet at home!

Anyhow, enjoy the pictures and if you go to the website, you will see comments on it all. Just scroll all the way down here http://www.flightlevel180.org/3.html and you will see them.

Eric