Flightsim

Not your dad's old link trainer

For several months now there have been some requests to re-visit my homebuilt cockpit. As with everything else in my life, it's still a work in progress with many new features to be arriving over the next few years.

What started out as the typical joystick with the "twist-grip" rudder has finally blossomed into something that actually gets some notice when friends come over. Once I realized that you can't really fly helicopters (the way God intended) using a twist grip or a "force feedback" type stick, I started laying out the plans for the monster that now occupies my office.

The first thing was to come up with a sketch. Now we all know how that works...... You draw a few lines on a hunk of paper, go buy some wood and just start cutting the heck out of it!!!!!. I went through more stupid little pieces of paper and wood than you could imagine. I created more sawdust on my block that anybody else I know. BUT!!!!  Lo & behold, it started to take shape.

When my wife saw the footprint of this thing, she left me with a pretty good image of what would happen if I tried to put rotor blades on it!!!!!! Actually, she's a pretty good egg. I think I'll keep her as my "co-stick" for a while.

Next in line was the assembly that would be used as the panel. Again, it was a lot of trial & error as every time I turned around I thought of something I wanted to add down the road.

As you can see, I left plenty of room for a "wide-screen" later on. I can also completely remove this piece if I decide to go with an overhead projector instead.

After scrounging an old Toyota P/U truck seat, I had to figure out the appropriate

height for it and build a suitable base unit.

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The next project was the controller. I used a Saitek 45 Joystick and Throttle along with CH Pro Pedals for the first go around. After disassembling the joystick I thought to myself, I'M NUTS!!!!!! But it actually went smoother than I thought it would.

After a bit of re-wiring, and a little use of PVC fittings and piping, the cyclic started to take shape.

And, VOILA!!!!

With the cyclic finished, it was on the the little ad-ons. Everything, by the way, is connected through USB ports which are the best to use as windows easily recognizes there "plug & play" capabilities.

Both monitors are connected together so I can actually have someone in the right seat even though they can't really fly. YET!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'll figure that one out later.

As you can see, the cockpit is set up for anything that flies with a stick. I dropped some big money and bought a "Flightlink" collective pitch unit. Flightlink actually builds real simulators. Since the Saitek cyclic has just about served it's useful purpose, I've ordered Flightlink's professional grade cyclic. I have also added a small "surround-sound" system and a TRAK IR infrared device. The TRAK IR allows me to wear a hat that is linked to the computer that monitors my head moves. Using this device, I can fly in "virtual cockpit" mode and actually get the "real feel".

If any of you out there want more information, let me know. I've kind of put this thing on hold right now as I'm getting ready to move to Florida. One more thing, The whole unit can be disassembled into 4 pieces so moving is fairly easy.

Happy Flying!!!!!!

Paul