hello everybody

[uzi_1984]

hello everyone. I've been building a "portable" cockpit for the last few months and the 1st part of it is near completion so i thought the time has come too share my creation with the world lol.
Originally what i set out too build was a high quality flight yoke, made of steel rather than plastic with proper bearings and such too give it a nice solid smooth feel. After building a working prototype i rehoused it and started adding all sorts of switches too the panel, heres how it looks at the mo...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0270.jpg

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0275.jpg

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0274.jpg

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0272.jpg

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0271.jpg

As you can see I've gotton on quite far with it:) Theres only a few things left too do, i need too find some corners too finish off the "buffalo skin" I'm awaiting rotary encoders which will fit in the blank spaces next too the push too talk button and control the altimeter and heading bug; need too suss out a clamping system as at the moment im just using wood clamps; and last off all the decals need replacing as they got a little dammaged during drilling, once ive replaced em and polished up the front panel ill laquer the whole panel too protect it.

So what do you guys think of my project? Would love too hear your comments/ suggestions.

Heres a few pics of the iternals....

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0268.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0262.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0269.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0261.jpg

X axis pot
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0265.jpg


Y axis Pot
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e237/uzi_1984/yoke/100_0266.jpg

[Joe Cygan]

Wow, this is very nice.

Welcome!

[Lezam]

I like how you worked out the push pull, with the pots! Thats really creative, using a cable system like that

[Michael Carter]

Nice work!

Is that an amplifier head box that it's mounted in?

[uzi_1984]

thanks. It seemed the easyiest way too do it. I know a lot of people use the old con rod method; but i figured that could have a bit of play in it. This way even slight pressure on the yoke is picked up by the pot and there is no slop in it at all.

[uzi_1984]

basically yes lol! Or at least the design is the same. I built the box out of 12mm ply and covered it with "buffalo skin" which you can buy from music suppliers; just a case of cutting the cloth too size and glueing it on with PVA; takes sum time and is a bit fiddly but Gives it a really nice finish and makes for a rock steady; water proof indestructable box.

[Westozy]

Nice engineering Uzi,

Gwyn
(Mechanical Engineer!)

[uzi_1984]

Thankyou all for your kind words :) Im rather chuffed with it so far, although not completly satasfied. The biggest issue at the mo is the in out movement on the yoke isnt as smooth as i had of hoped. The rails and linear bearings are beutifully smooth but the whole thing is let down by that forward grommet. It supports the yoke shaft OK and turning is luvly and smooth, but in out is a little bit draggy. I think the main reason for this is that grommet flexes too much, u can't actually see it but i suspect as u push on the stick it flexes inward slightly and tightns on the shaft causing drag. The other factor is the shaft is aluminum which is soft as **** and i dont think its perfectly round. Was gonna try replacing it with stainless steel or even chrome plated and try that.
Can any of you real pilots try and explain too me how a cessna's stick feels? Is it smooth or can u feel play, drag, mechanical "noise" etc in it? Ive never flown a cessna, would love too; but untill i do im just gonna have too guess how it feels lol.
The other thing thats not perfect is the springs, they are very tight and center the turning spot on everytime, too find center position again all i have too do is let go and it springs back spot on everytime. In out center on the other hand is any where between an inch lol. tighter springs wouldnt fix this really coz then it would be hard too even move, im thinking of prehaps using springs longitudinaly prehaps connected too the main "carrage" and spanning out too the front and too the back; not sure if this would help or not tho. Any advice anyone?

[Matt Olieman]

Nice engineering job... Impressive!!!! Looks really nice. Thanks for sharing :)

Matt O.

PS would love to see these pics in our Gallery :) Hint :) :)

[Westozy]

Hi Uzi,

The Cessna's controls are quite free and easy when it is parked but you can feel the weight of the elevator when you pull. Roll resistance is negligable, hardly any weight as the ailerons balance each other. In flight the yoke wants to fix in a single pitch position wherever it is trimmed to and pitch movements become heavier. The yoke tightens up if you like when the control surfaces are exposed to flying speeds. Adjustments in flight are done with very light fingertip movements, I only hang on properly during take-offs, landings and bad weather, (when you need to).

You really must go and have a fly, if you can fly a sim well you will find the real thing a lot easier because of the increased situational awareness, great view and real force feedback. I solo'd at 7.2 hours after 5 years of FS then did about 3 years of real flying. I never stopped FS, it didn't wear off like the price of hiring aircraft! I still like to go for the odd blast now and again but I'm in my 737 sim 2 or 3 times a week. I built it to replace "as costly as it gets"!

Gwyn

[Bob Reed]

Very nice work! I like it!!! You designed the mechanism?

[uzi_1984]

thanks for the input Gwyn, I thought it would feel something like that. WHen you say fingertip movement; are u actually moving the stick in and out side too side; or is more just a case of applying pressure to the stick? I guess what would be ideal is full force feedback motors connected too it too replace the springs, that way the spring force could vary acording too airspeed. That however is far beyond my capability. Mabe when Leo Bodner (the creator of the interface card i used) completes his force feed back interface i might give it a try, but i think thats a long way off and would mean trying too fit motors inside the already packed box! Would be good too do tho.

[uzi_1984]

Yes basically the mechanism is my own design, although it is based on a lot of other people's ideas. The springs i believe are a similar design too simkits yoke. the timing belt and pully's were completly my idea as was using linear bearings and precision round rails. The main reason for this is it makes for a much more solid and smooth feel compared too nylon or whatever; very expensive tho, if i remember right the bearins, rails and shaft support cost nearly £80 ($150ish) theyre designed for CNC routers so as you can imagine are very robust and sturdy. I used the belt and pully's because i thought the con rod method (which i believe is used in CH yokes) would have a noticable amount of play and slop resulting in a slight 'dead zone' the way i done it completly illiminates any dead zone, and just slight pressure is enuf too change the output. Again another expensive method tho, the pullys cost around £8 ($15ish) each! and the belt was nearly a fiver ($10). All in all it has been very expensive, but a lot of that was due too experimenting with parts, and buying different sizes etc; the results are well worth it tho in my opinion.

[Trevor Hale]

truly Brilliant.

I think you have done a wonderful Job.

thanks for sharing it with us.

I am sure there are quite a number of builders that would like to start here, same as you did.

[Matthijs Borgdorff]

A very nice piece of kit you built there good sir!
And like you said, portable. :)