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

Cockpit Design Study

The design process can be a daunting task, but if you outline your build the whole process will be easier, lets not forget you will also limit mistakes. This basic outline can be used as a starting point for your cockpit.

1.Computer Hardware Setup

A. The first step is to determine what kind of computer system you will setup.

• Single PC setup
• Multiple PC's on a Network

There are advantages to using both setups, the single PC will of course minimize the costs involved with the build but there are issues with hardware performance. If you plan to use only 2 displays in a basic setup, one for gauges & one for the world view, a single setup may be right for you. Using networked PC's will allow you to include more elements into your cockpit and keep performance high. There are some things to consider when using a multi PC setup. First if you decide to network PC's you will need FSUIPC which will allow you to interface the flight simulator with your networked PC's. Also you may want to integrate advanced controls ie: switch, encoders, and servos. Below are images to give you a basic outline for both a singe pc setup and a multi pc setup.

Single PC Cockpit Setup

Multi PC Cockpit Setup

2.Controls Integration

A. Second you want to integrate external controls which will interface with the flight simulator, to give your pit functionality.

• Touch screen Application
• Flight Control Modules
• Joystick Controller
• Keyboard Controller Module

There are a great number of resources that will provide external controls to your sim. This is great because they answer to different budgets and technical abilities.

Touch screen Application

By far one of the easiest and least expensive control solutions for your cockpit. Touch Buddy provides a freeware software package for use along with a touch screen. Or you could undock your cockpit panel and use it on a second monitor with touch.

Flight Control Modules

Another great option is to go with pre-made flight controls. Go Flight already has a complete line up of pre-made flight controls. Below are a few examples:

Joystick Controller

Joystick controllers like the BU0836 are an inexpensive way to integrate custom controls into your cockpit. A joystick controller will limit you to only momentary buttons and some analog inputs, which is ok for some controls in your cockpit but for a higher level of realism you want to use latching switches with off/on positions. A joystick controller would be the perfect tool for integrating custom rudder pedals, or a throttle quadrant. The BU0836 even has a hat switch input which would be nice is you want to have some control over views during flight.

Keyboard Controller Module

Interface cards such as the Hagstrom KE-72 are more versatile then a joystick controller since they allow you to use latching switches, basically switches that have a more realistic on/off state. Also a more advanced advantage to using a controller card is it gives you the ability to use LED segmented displays so you can build advanced instrumentation to interface with the flight simulator. A controller requires more time to setup due to the programming required for a proper interface with the simulator.

3.Cockpit Layout

A.OK you have your computer(s) and you can integrate your flight simulator to the controls of the cockpit, now its time to build the actual cockpit. Before any project of this type you are going to need to plan as much as possible to make sure your design works properly. I'm gonna highlight a few examples of sim pits or products that are out there because most builds will vary greatly from designer to designer.

• Entry Level Design
• Pre Fabricated Cockpit
• The Fully Custom Cockpit

The Entry Level

A basic setup with a good flight stick, throttle, maybe multiple displays, and some external control. My current bench could be considered the entry level, here is a link to the picture:

This is a great way to get started in the world of homebuilt cockpits. Not expensive and if you want to take the hobby to the next level you have a platform to test ideas.

The Pre Fab

A prefabricated cockpit setup is a great way to get into the hobby quickly. Company's like Go Flight & sim kits offer complete setups that will integrate easily with your flight simulator. The major downfall to this approach is the expense and doesn't allow for much customization. Here is a good example of a pre-fab:

The Custom Cockpit

This is the way to go in my opinion, if you have the time and skill to do such. This method allows for a completely custom design. The art of fabrication and basic engineering are skills I find fascinating and building the cockpit will allow me to develop these skills. The downside to this method is the time it takes to complete a build like this. Below is a link to a fellow cockpit builder who has integrated a completely custom design: