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  1. #1
    10+ Posting Member Conri's Avatar
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    Hi there from South Africa

    Hi guys & girls

    I have been surfing MC for weeks, and just thought i need to introduce myself!

    I live in Bloemfontein (FABL) South Africa and are 32hours into realworld PPL.
    But with the rising cost, i have decided to rather spend my money with cockpit-building. Much cheaper!!(Believe Me!!) 33 years of age, maried (Depends on the time its going to take to build the cockpit! LOL) and proud
    father of one 18 months old daughter!

    I'll be posting alot of questions, because i'm totaly computer illeterate! But
    must admit that i have connected 20 toggles using the boards of desktopaviator.But that's it!!

    Current fs setup:
    Computer1: Intel core 2 due cpu 6600 @ 2.4GHz
    2gb RAM, Windows XP Pro SP3

    Computer2: AMD Athlone 64 3000+ 1.81GHz 3.00 GB RAM
    Windows XP Pro SP3

    FS9 + SP2
    PMDG (ALL)
    To many software to mention,
    Hardware: CH Yoke
    CH Throttle Quadrant
    MS Sidewinder Joystick
    Opencockpits Multi-radio
    Homemade centre pedestal with desktopaviator's usb card

    Questions to follow, and many thanks!

    Regards

    Conri du Toit
    CEO - South African Airways Virtual
    www.saavirtual.org

  2. #2
    Boeing 777 Builder


    Kennair's Avatar
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    Welcome Conri to the wonderful world of simming. There are a few other South Africans here also. Looks like your well on your way with all that desktop sim hardware, now it's just a small step to the panels and pedals. Feel free to ask any questions but I'd recommend many hours surfing and searching to gain information and inpiration.

    What sort of aircraft are you looking at building?

    Cheers,

    Ken.
    Opencockpits | Aerosim Solutions | Sim-Avionics | P3D | FDS | FTX | AS16 | PPL | Kennair


  3. #3
    10+ Posting Member Conri's Avatar
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    Hi Ken

    Nice to meet you, has seen a lot of your post!

    My idea is to build a enclosed cockpit of the 737-800, but i don't want to
    go 100% realistic, it is simply to expencive with the R/$.

    Idea is to build the MIP, OVERHEAD, Centre, out of wood and then paint.
    As we speak I'm 95% sure that I'll go for the OPENCOCKPIT set-up, but are
    very scared for the "SIOC" programing! As i said, I'm very slow when it comes to programming.

    The OC MCP/EIFIS does draw my attention though!
    What Hardware/Software combination do you recomend?

    Regards
    Conri

  4. #4
    Boeing 777 Builder


    Kennair's Avatar
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    Hi Conri,

    It's a good choice to build the 737 as you'll get plenty of knowledge and support due to its popularity. Money is nearly always an issue, however it does inspire creativity when you build yourself, so that's a good thing. I built the base structure of my pit based on 737 plans and tailored others to suit my needs. The possibilities are endless.

    Opencockpits hardware is a good and very cost effective choice, and don't stress too much over the SIOC programming. You can start off with the the IOCards software which is an easy to use graphical interface allowing you to setup switches and lights etc. without all that programming stuff. The advantage with SIOC is that it will allow much more sophisticated programming far beyond what FS can provide. Once you get the simple system up and running, you can research SIOC more to incorporate it, but it's not necessary for the beginner.

    As for the OC MCP, I have just purchased this along with the Boeing radios kits, so I'll let you know how good it is in a few weeks time (currently being shipped!). Certainly if you are building the 737 to any degree of reality, then the MCP & EFIS are essential, and as far as my research, the OC variations are the cheapest around. They do require backlighting yourself however, but if that's not an issue, then just use them without it. I intend to backlight mine based on Joe Cygan's tutorial out soon (I hope Joe???? )

    As far as hardware/software recommendations, it all depends on budget. As I said, the MCP/EFIS is the first start along with radio's, but you could quite happily survive without them and just use a mouse to start with (that's what most of us do anyway). You've already got a good store of hardware there so I would get the basic panel done first and then extend your PC with extra monitors. You'll need at least 2 for instruments and 1 for outside view. Then expand that as money allows. Also you'll need to learn about panel modifications so you can tailor the PMDG 737 (one of the best and most used addons) so you can move your PFD/MFD & EICAS to separate monitors.

    Fun, fun, fun,

    Ken.
    Opencockpits | Aerosim Solutions | Sim-Avionics | P3D | FDS | FTX | AS16 | PPL | Kennair


  5. #5
    10+ Posting Member Conri's Avatar
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    Hi Ken

    Thanks for your reply, please pm me when you get them!

    Forgot to mention the monitors:
    2 x 19" LCD
    1 x 19" CRT
    1 x EPSON Projector

    Now that you confirmed that the OC rout is worthit, I'll be taking that road then!

    Thanks Ken

    Regards
    Conri

  6. #6
    Boeing 777 Builder


    Kennair's Avatar
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    Excellent Conri. Looks like your half way there.

    Don't just take my word for OC stuff, others here swear by different manufacturers that they've gone with, so I'd recommend checking them all out if you haven't already. They all do similar things but to varying degrees with their own strengths and weaknesses. Sounds like you've probably already sorted that though

    Good luck,

    Ken.
    Opencockpits | Aerosim Solutions | Sim-Avionics | P3D | FDS | FTX | AS16 | PPL | Kennair


  7. #7
    Heli Builder
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    Hi Neighbour,

    welcome to mycockpit.org.
    Fritz -> Helicopter Cockpit Builder
    (FSX | TH2Go | Arduino | Air Manager Avionics | CNC)

  8. #8
    Heli Builder
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    I was wondering why your name is so familiar. Nice to see another VATSAF member here.
    Fritz -> Helicopter Cockpit Builder
    (FSX | TH2Go | Arduino | Air Manager Avionics | CNC)

  9. #9
    10+ Posting Member Conri's Avatar
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    Smile

    Hi Fritz

    The net is a small place!!

    Nice to hear from you again!

    Regards
    Conri

  10. #10
    builder
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    Hi Conri,
    A belated welcome.
    I did some flying at FACT (Cape Town).
    Great airport to become familiar with lots of different wind conditions.
    I can remember one time the wind dropped to nil and totally messed up my hand-flown approach.

    Fritz,
    Found this post while looking at your response to Andy's request for CNC info. Spent few months at Rooikop. Anybody who hasn't taken a trip to Namibia has missed out on one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

    Ken,
    I really need to make a trip to Perth one day. Heard great things about the west coast.

    Regards,
    Alan

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