Time to build that cockpit...

[stu]

Hello all

I've been simming since the old wire frame days and, whilst it's taken me a while to realise it, using the old keyboard and mouse just doesn't cut it anymore.

I found this site just today and it's great - loads of information, links, war stories etc and I have no doubt it's going to be a huge resource to me in the future. I'm going to build slowly and keep an eye on those pennies! The trouble is, I'm no electronics or programming expert so I'm going to have to buy as much pre-fabricated as possible.

Cleared it with the boss (my lovely fiancee -soon to be wife) so I suspect I'm going to spend a good few months researching though I think I'm getting there on some of the major parts and suppliers I think:

737 MIP from FDS
MCP from FDS
Overhead from Engravity (in time)
CDU stand from FDS
FMC from Engravity

I already have a CH yoke, the PMDG package, a 19inch monitor and an ageing AMD 64 4000+ and a good yoke so I hope it won't be too long before I'm up and running.

As for the rest, I'm going to have to see how it goes, though I do have a couple of starter questions just to kep me on the right track.

Does the Engravity glare panel fit the MIP from FDS - i got the impression that Engravity is manufacturing to 85% scale;

Does everyone manufacture their own stand for their MIP? If so or not, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Looking forward to more posts in the future

Take care for now!

[Michael Carter]

Welcome to the site Stu. Lots to read here about building.

I made my own MIP stand. Others here have too.

[mpl330]

Hi Stu,

Welcome to Mycockpit - you have mail!

Cheers
Mike

[Paul G]

...The trouble is, I'm no electronics or programming expert so I'm going to have to buy as much pre-fabricated as possible.

Haha, you think we knew anything about electronics, programming, carpentry, ergonomics, illustration, audio engineering, mechanics, public relations, networking, lighting, etc etc before we all started? Depends on two things; a) if you have the budget to buy everything off-the-shelf, and b) whether you'll get bitten by the building bug.

I didn't set out on my projects to be a builder, but considered it an occupational hazzard. However, I've quite taken to it, so perhaps you will too. At least you've chosen an aircraft that you won't have difficulty getting parts for or advice if you need them.

All the best.

paul

[Flying_Dutchman]

Hi and welcome!

Engravity makes 1:1 scale nowadays, but maybe they can still 1:0,85
Advise: If you have the room, go for full scale.
(More choice in hardware too)


Rgds,
Benno

[novalyfe]

Hi Stu,

Welcome to mycockpit, I'm new too, so we can share the lack of experience!

Anyhow,

Have fun,

Ted

[notgotaclue]

Hello all

Does everyone manufacture their own stand for their MIP? If so or not, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Making the stand for the MIP is pretty straight forward. A few pieces of MDF from B&Q put together in the right order.
I painted mine with Herringbone, once again from B&Q and it looked ok.
I have now done something silly and got the nose off a real plane which I am in the process of gutting..
Allan.

[Nick1150]

Welcome stu,

We are all new here, some of us just started a little bit earlier than you, thats all ...

So keep on asking questions and in no time you will be up there flying with the rest of us

When I started I made a similar thread, and among many usefull advises, I remember one that really was the most important: whatever you do always fly along the way, that is fly and build at the same time, and not build to fly. It is very important to be able to fly in the process of this hobby, and have fun in the meantime.

Best regards,

Nick