Dad's mad project
I am building a cockpit for playing flight sim games. This page is where I will give details, show pics and post plans as the work progresses.
Question: WHY
I have always liked flight sims, the first one I got was F19 by microprose (does anyone remember it?) on the Amiga, the only trouble with it and more so with the newer ones, is the number of keys to remember. I have tried keyboard overlays, they help, but they get crowded and can't cover all of the functions available.
The joystick that I use (F15 Talon) is BIG. well to tell the truth it is the right size for an adult male, it should be it's based on the real thing. the problem is that when used at a normal computer desk it sits too high, there is no way to get comfortable in this position. There is also the suspension of disbelief, you know that you are sitting at a desk, there aren't many aircraft with a printer,scanner,and graphics pad!
One day I was looking at some stuff on the web when I found a really good page that got me thinking (Follow the link to Derek's Cockpit Links ), this was something that I had had in mind for a while but I was unsure how to go about it and what was possible. Having seen what other people have done I made a list of what I wanted from this thing, I worked out what I was willing to spend, scraped/shelved some ideas and got on with the planning.
I wanted to be able to expand and change in the future and as cash allows, also because of my job I tend to move around a lot (three countries in the last three years) so it has to be able to fit through a door, not to heavy and not fall apart with the first move. I wanted to feel like I was sitting in an aircraft but I did not want to build an exact replica of any one aeroplane,this was more of a cost based decision than anything else. If you want to build a replica of an aircraft be prepared to sell your house and/or children, they are seriously expensive. I also wanted to be able to operate the Computer without leaving the cockpit.
I decided on a side stick simply because it makes getting in an out easier (I know, I work with real aircraft and things get kicked and stamped on all the time), a throttle will be mounted on the other side, its a Suncom SFS Throttle, it's a really good throttle and can be reprogrammed in situ, also there will be 3 Quickshot Masterpilot's used as MFD's in the centre consul and forward instrument panel. One of the most important considerations is will my wife let it in the house! This means that it must look reasonable on the outside, no wires hanging out, no 4x2 on show etc.
After many weeks of research I had the basic plans and requirements, it was time to Build a scale model. I actually made two, one a full size mock up to get the right angles and dimensions, and the second was a quarter size construction model which I used to work out the framing details and get the experience of building it. I cannot state how useful this was, it is very frustrating not spending time on the real thing, and as my wife would say "playing with bits of cardboard", but the knowledge gained is invaluable. And all (most) of your mistakes can be made on the cheap, 8'x4' plywood v.'s old cardboard box.
well that's about it for the moment I will post pics when I can, and all the plans will be available in DFX format, the hardest thing I found was getting sizes, I promise to include dimensions.
update: Sept 99
I have found what is probably one of the best resources that a cockpit builder could find, a mailing list of about 130 builders just like me.
Try this link
you need to sign up but it is really worth it. All aspects of cockpit building are discussed from the best place to get parts to how to get more info out of the software and making your own bits.
There is a great website started by some of these guy's, this is a non-profit organisation devoted to sharing information and knowledge to all, for free.
Click the picture to goto the Simpits website.
This page last updated on
07 April, 2000
