Learjet 45 update

[Douglas999]

Hi everyone

Just thought I would post some new pictures of my sim. Work is in progress with a number of areas under construction at the same time. Some times I think that I should finish one bit before starting another, but hay that would be boring. I also like to fly the thing every now and then so that holds up construction.
I have made the glare shield panels - two master warning - two display controllers the flight guidance system and the lights and gear panel. I will soon start connecting the FGS to my goflight auto pilot RMK, then work out how I can interface any of the missing switches using either the FDT boards or the BU 0836X.
I would love to have backlit panels but the work involved is considerable, I have been experimenting with UV lighting instead and think it has possibilities. I got 2 cold cathode UV tubes used for moding computer cases for a total costs £10 and connected them to an old computer power supply ( I was going to put on in the sim for cabin lighting any way) I think the effect looks OK and is a lot less hassle than lots of LEDs.
I have installed the fantastic free ware GPWS from By Rob Barendregt rcb33 which adds a lot more callouts to the default Learjet( lots of WHOOP WHOOP, GLIDE SLOPE and BANK ANGLE especially with my flying)
I also managed to pick up a second CH yoke on ebay for £25 it’s the game port version but I only wanted the main yoke part any way. I was thinking about making the yokes but the this seem like a lot less work. I can now dismantle this one a work on a twin set up and still have my existing one to fly with mean time.
Today my good friend and neighbor Peter called to say that he had something for my sim. Peter works at the airport as a fuel tanker driver. A few moments later he appeared with an in flight meal from the first class section of a major carrier, what a level of realism. I just need the wife to heat it up and deliver it to the cockpit when I press the call button…. Sorry did I fall in to a dream there.:lol:

http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/572/medium/IMG_8239-1.JPG
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/572/medium/IMG_8232.JPG
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/572/medium/IMG_8220.JPG
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/572/medium/IMG_8227.JPG
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_8248.JPG
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_8243.JPG

[Adino]

Very realistic, must be fun to fly!
thanks for sharing:cool:

[choffmann]

Very nice setup, especially with the cool ambient light. Do you use a cloth as a screen for the projection?

Cheers
Chris

[Matt Olieman]

Nice pics and project. Thanks for sharing the pics with us :) :) :)

Matt Olieman

[Douglas999]

The outside view is a short projection on to a curved mirror on the front of the sim and then on to a 8x4 sheet of white MDF which has been curved a little.
This is all very crued at the moment and will require some work in the future. More than one projector would be better because of the shape of the learjet but cost is always the issue. and whether I would have enough space.

[AndyT]

Hmm... I wonder what black light would do for night time lighting?

[Tomlin]

Very nice looking project so far! Where did you get the buttons for your FGC from?

[Michael Carter]

Very nice looking sim. Lot's of work there.

You're not the only one who jumps around on different projects for the sim. I do that all of the time, especially if something isn't working out. Move on the the next project and catch up with the problem child later on.

Good work!

[BlackWidow]

That looks great. You have done a very nice job on the Lear 45 project keep up the good work.

[Per Alm]

Very nice job on the Lear 45 project keep up the good work.
Looking really good!!:p


Regards

[Douglas999]

Hi Everyone
I have been away for a few days and just got back to the PC, I have been amazed by the number of views on my post and replies. Thank you for the many kind words of encouragement. Just to answer Erics question on the FGC switches, they are `Omron B3FS-1052`http://uk.farnell.com/176461/switches-relays/product.us0?sku=omron-electronic-components-b3j-1100
They are plain push switches about the correct size, 12mmX20mm. I have then drilled part of it out to accept a green rectangular LED. The front is then covered with an inkjet printed legend which is on a special vinyl material that can be used for car stickers (bumper stickers) so it is very hard wearing and water proof. The sticker also has the green rectangle on it with the LED behind it.
The switches on the Display controller are also Omron 12mmx12mm push swutches, with a Black cap and the legend overlaid in the same way.
:D

[AndyT]

Douglas,

Can you make a short video on how you made those switches? It would be an awesome tutorial to have on MyCockpit videos!

[Douglas999]

I will have a go at it, I need to make a few more anyway. I have just noticed from Adino`s wedsite that I could have bought them from Open cockpits with the LEDs inplace. http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/pulsador-con-led-p-118.html

I was going to have a go at making a short fligth video anyway.

Douglas

[Kris Stow]

Doug,

Nice work!! Where did you find your Cockpit Display Controller (EFIS) buttons?

Keep up the excellent work, look forward to seeing more!!

Regards,

[Douglas999]

Hi Kris

They are Omron 12mmx12mm square push buttons with black caps. The legend is inkjet printed vinyl. I will put some pictures up on the site to show how I made the parts.

Douglas

[XOrionFE]

Hi Kris

They are Omron 12mmx12mm square push buttons with black caps. The legend is inkjet printed vinyl. I will put some pictures up on the site to show how I made the parts.

Douglas

Mountain also has a similar switch I have used. Here is mouser part nos

Black Caps
Mouser #: 101-0110-EV
Mfr. #: 101-0110-EV
Desc.: Tactile Switches 12X12 SQ BLK CAP

Switches
Mouser #: 101-0621-EV
Mfr. #: 101-0621-EV
Desc.: Tactile Switches TACT SWITCH 12X12MM