I have started another site where you can discuss anything related to building a flight simulator cockpit.

Check it out at http://flight-simulator-cockpits.com

Homebuilt Cockpit Hardware Resources

Switches, displays, IO cards, joystick controllers the list goes on. Interfacing hardware into your pit will give you a tactile feel and help to complete the immersion into the world of flight. There are many different solutions to use, listed below are those resources that will help you build a cockpit.

Precision Joystick Controller BU0836

This little beauty gives you 8 analog inputs and 32 buttons for use in a custom solution. This baby is gonna make its way into my pit for the rudder pedals, and throttle quadrent. This solution does not support switches only momentary push buttons. There is also a hat switch included on the matrix.

All Electronics

Building a pit will require tons of wires, ribbon cables, switches, terminal blocks, lighting, cooling fans etc etc..... All Electronics is one of the best places to go for deals on these niche items.

Earth LCD

When building the "glass" elements some nice LCD kits will help you out. Earth LCD is one of the few who sell LCD kits to the consumer. Personally I would reccomend if on a budget, going to Ebay and keep an eye out for 10.4" to 12.1" point of sale monitors. The image quality isnt the best but most panels are on black backgounds which contrast nicely. Im using some G Vision 12.1" monitors and they work great.

Hagstrom Cards

At some point Im gonna pick up a haggie. Interface cards are essential if you want to include switches or if you want to build your own MCP,CDU, radio. You can include LCD segmented displays and a bunch of other options. John Baymore at simviation.com convinced me to pick one up, once I start developing using a haggie Ill post more info. There are other IO cards out there, the haggie is priced right.