Help: DHC-6 Twin Otter Dimensions???

[Fuglsang]

Hi, fellow sim-builders!!

I'm going to put the B737-700 sim on hold for a while, and start building a DHC-6 Twin Otter Simulator together with a good friend of mine!

But before we ever can get started with this lovely "Twotter", we need some dimensions of the cockpit!?

We have searched almost "the intire internet" But with no luck, it is so hard to find, when there isn't any "Twotter" builders that we know of...

So, is there anyone who can help with some dimensions of the Twin Otter cockpit, or know someone who can??

Thanks in advance!
And have a nice week every one!

Cheers!
Jesper.

[Matt_Thomas]

Don't we have any Canadian friends on here that can make a few vital measurements from a real Twin Otter cockpit?

[Michael Carter]

Try extrapolating from photos. THose are 3" (or 3-1/8") primary flight instruments.

Find the dimensions of the King or Narco radios from their website and use that too.



The black faced NAV/COM is a standard Boeing rack width. About 5.75"



Here's another angle using glass for displays. Find the dimensions on the manufacturer's site. I forget who makes this display.





It's not hard to figure out the dimensions once you have a reference or two.

[fweinrebe]

The glass cockpit Twin Otter has the Honewell Primus Apex avionics system. Viking Air of Victoria, British Columbia operates these Twin Otters. Maybe you can contact their training department. They should be able to help with dimensions as well.

[ak49er]

ERA Aviation, Alaska operated five of these until their purchase by "Million Air". They were converts of the recent FAA CAPSTONE Project, and some featured Chelton Glass Cockpits. A friend said he saw one with Garmin G1000 avionics, but I never saw that one. I have dimensions for the Twin Otter, MIP, cockpit etc. If I run across these I will post them.

The Otter was my first choice when I got ino this hobby, but I couldn't get past the odd yoke mechanism, and never pursued it. Good Luck!

I used to fly on these back and forth to work. The pilots said you literaly had to fly these into the ground, and then raise flaps at touchdown to keep it form flying.

Always crewed by two.

These pilots would spend a spell on the North Slope, flying "Arctic" IFR , in the constant winter dark, and when rotated back to homebase and crewing our flights, would proceed to comfortably put this plane into some really exciting manuveurs, hot shot short finals, full flap take-offs, no flap full load lifto offs, simulate short field landings.

Now we fly in the Piper Navajo, while capable, lacks the sturdiness and capabiltity of this aricraft.

I downloaded the "Alaska Airlines Fleet", including ERA and Horizon Aircraft one time, excellent visual examples of these Otters, including one of a kind custom paint jobs. Great sounds, but I did not pay attention to the flight dynmaics...so I can't speak to those.

Enjoy!

[ak49er]

Ok, so I found my diagrams, but I have no scanner. I will post these dims, and when I can scan I will. (All dims in American Standard)

Usable Cabin Space for cargo (this would be the back wall of the cockpit)
54" Wide x 57 Tall

MIP Width= 49" Total

Center Pedestal = 9" wide

Floor to Captains Yoke spindle= 23"

Span of both yokes= Cap Port grip to FO stbrd grip = 60"

Overhead = 31 x 11 3/4 (not including staggered placement of the two panels just starboard of the OHP.)

MIP Engine Section 10" wide, (x14 1/8 at highest point of arc)

MIP Radio Section = 16.5 Wide (x14 1/8 at highest point of arc)


The Chelton Glass Display Measured 6 3/8 x 5 3/4.

Notes- The pitch and yaw trim is located by the Captains right hip, near the seat base and consists of Pitch= Roller, Yaw= momentary rocker.

The throttle levers have a friction adjustment, and you must rock the lever grips back to engage "Beta" when needed.

I have a digital recording of start-up form between the pilots heads, including a very toungue in cheek safety briefing. I will try to locate, and scan in my paltry schematics.

[CrashEd]

Hi, fellow sim-builders!!

I'm going to put the B737-700 sim on hold for a while, and start building a DHC-6 Twin Otter Simulator together with a good friend of mine!

But before we ever can get started with this lovely "Twotter", we need some dimensions of the cockpit!?

We have searched almost "the intire internet" But with no luck, it is so hard to find, when there isn't any "Twotter" builders that we know of...

So, is there anyone who can help with some dimensions of the Twin Otter cockpit, or know someone who can??

If you still need any further info, then PM me as I work on board a Twin Otter as a technician. I can probably get you some cockpit dimensions when I go over to Finland in June.

[Fuglsang]

Thaks VERY much you guys, for the quick replys!!

It was very useful information!

And thaks Ed, That surely sounds great!

[CrashEd]

Thaks VERY much you guys, for the quick replys!!

It was very useful information!

And thaks Ed, That surely sounds great!

No problem. Great to see somebody doing a Twotter 'pit!

Good luck.

Ed

[Fuglsang]

Thanks!

And ak49er; that was perfect with those dimensions, now i'm going to use Google SketchUp, and use your inputs and import pictures of the Twotter MIP into SketchUp.

We intend to use the VRinsight Radio Stack, the BU0836X for hardware interface, the CH Throttle Quadrant, 2x CH Yokes, 2x CH Pedals, and bunch of swiches, and maybe korry for annunciators, and for instruments we use 3 LCD screens, and an LCD projector. Thats pretty much it! And it is a fairely simple, affordable, yet very fun project to build, and especialy fly!

Now we can really se progress!

Once again, thak you very much everyone, we couldn't do it with out your help!!