Need Help Tough Yoke Decision

[Angelo Cosma]

Hey guys, my birthday is coming up and I am thinking about getting myself a Column Yoke for FS. I've searched around and narrowed it down to either flypfc.com 737 Jetliner yoke, or www.737yoke.com which, is cheaper, and IMHO looks and sound like it would function better. My question is, which one have you guys had experience with? Basically what would you recommend. I will be flying at my desk, with a standard, desk chair, will the desk and my chair be in the way? Could you guys recommend a good chair that would have mounts for the keyboard or something on the side, or a special desk of some-sort. They yoke will just be set on the floor. I had a Sim-Cockpit System Desk, but wasn't real crazy about it. Any help, comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Angelo Cosma

[Matt Olieman]

Did you see the home page press release on the B737 Yoke. Looks impressive!!!!

Matt Olieman

[Trevor Hale]

Hey guys, my birthday is coming up and I am thinking about getting myself a Column Yoke for FS. I've searched around and narrowed it down to either flypfc.com 737 Jetliner yoke, or www.737yoke.com which, is cheaper, and IMHO looks and sound like it would function better. My question is, which one have you guys had experience with? Basically what would you recommend. I will be flying at my desk, with a standard, desk chair, will the desk and my chair be in the way? Could you guys recommend a good chair that would have mounts for the keyboard or something on the side, or a special desk of some-sort. They yoke will just be set on the floor. I had a Sim-Cockpit System Desk, but wasn't real crazy about it. Any help, comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Angelo Cosma

Angelo, If your looking or considering PFC, I would suggest you have a look at the Yoke on the home page of the site. Contact the manufacturer and ask questions.

You may be better off going this route instead.

Trev

[Michael Carter]

And in the spirit of cockpit building, you could do it yourself for less than half of a commercially purchased yoke. And, have a real retired airliner yoke to boot with the correct switches, wiring harness, and history.

In fact, you can buy an already assembled yoke and column, with the original wiring harness intact. All you would have to supply is the mounting for the column and the input card.
;)

[Rodney]

I can only speak of the flypfc yoke. I have had one for 9 years. In that time I have worn out a set of switches, had issues with the controller board, and replaced one pot. I called them the first time the board acted up. They answered (Jake) and I sent my board in. Being as old as it was, they reflashed it but that sisn't last too long. Called them again and they sent me the newest board and switches for $60 (about 3 years ago). Many emails exchanged with prompt resonse. It works just fine, and I would recommend them to anyone. But as Michael says, a true boeing part built by yourself is worth it all. That is the route I will go next.

[Radar]

:pLike this one Mr. Carter

http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1ph4mDo9HJ78oR_Sdnsq7x2x_ElTomtBqTkpdjxMop_pM1sjf9tOfmMGWnq_tJ443T
Ian P.Sissons did a fabulous job on this. Great work


http://www.737ng.co.uk/Boeing_B737_Control_Column.pdf

Mike

[Michael Carter]

Except for the repro yoke, yes, just like that.

[ak49er]

:pLike this one Mr. Carter

http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1ph4mDo9HJ78oR_Sdnsq7x2x_ElTomtBqTkpdjxMop_pM1sjf9tOfmMGWnq_tJ443T
Ian P.Sissons did a fabulous job on this. Great work


http://www.737ng.co.uk/Boeing_B737_Control_Column.pdf

Mike
Wow! Nice work on this one....

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

ah! i did a better job on mark 3 :o))
promise to get the yoke document updated . i'm on holiday till the end of october and then the lelystad weekend. but after that..... promise. cost of mark 3 yoke is GB£350,(420 euro or US$610).
see www.737ng.co.uk/saidyoke2.jpg
have a geat weekend chaps....
ciao ... ian

[AndyT]

A spledifiorus job Ian! I like the first one though. I like the pedals.

[Radar]

:pThanks Ian. You gave me the ambition to try it and I like the outcome. Not as fancy as yours but it works.http://blufiles.storage.live.com/y1pLnrkG-nDxco-iuwAc3fNo53EMOeNIwyiB0OTl58RKAHj06yCm7VXXN3khxdG5DXl

Once again. Thanks for charring your work with the rest of the community.

Mike

[Angelo Cosma]

Wow thanks for all the reply's guys. This is a great forum. My knowledge on building one is just not that great and am really torn between the two yokes. The www.737yoke.com looks way better than FLYPFC's and also features a clip board checklist deal. But then again, I own a flypfc desktop yoke for 4 years now and no complaints. I need to know mechanically which one will feel more like the real thing and overall which one is better. I contacted both manufacturers and I will include their emails, here is www.737yoke.com,

"Difference between ours and PFC. Let's see.

1: Out Yoke handle is Exact same size as original and similar black finish. VS PFC is using some sort of glossy shiny finish.
2: Our Yoke albow and column is exact same size and design as Original Boeing Yoke. VS PFC is using generic column and Albow.
3: Our Yoke comes with Clipboard and checklist. VS PFC doesn't include it.
d: All of our buttons mimic real buttons besides trim switch VS PFC is using different styles But realistic Trim switch.
4: We using a damping system for realistic feel - I am not sure what PFC use.
5: Actual feel and the forces of the Yoke are designed on a Real 737 flying between 10,000 to 24,000. This gives a good ballpark figure.
6: Yoke and all other hardware are Metal. Nothing plastic .Not sure about PFC."

And here's what FLYPFC said in their email,

BIolded text 737yoke.com answer, smaller text FlyPFC

"1: Out Yoke handle is Exact same size as original and similar black finish. VS PFC is using some sort of glossy shiny finish.

Our finish is BLACK Powder Coat, not some shiny finish. Hmmm there support base looks just like ours…seems like they may have copied our design.

Our yoke is the exact same size as the real yoke and cast (investment casting method), not sure about theirs.

2: Our Yoke albow and column is exact same size and design as Original Boeing Yoke. VS PFC is using generic column and Albow.

Generic or not it still accomplishes the effect. It’s just cosmetics

3: Our Yoke comes with Clipboard and checklist. VS PFC doesn't include it.

Not an important feature, a clip that holds charts can be bought for just a few dollars.

d: All of our buttons mimic real buttons besides trim switch VS PFC is using different styles But realistic Trim switch.

Our switches are much more realistic and functional. Especially the trim switches safety function.

4: We using a damping system for realistic feel - I am not sure what PFC use.

We use tiller bar 16 gauge steel mechanism and tempered springs for a realistic feel.

5: Actual feel and the forces of the Yoke are designed on a Real 737 flying between 10,000 to 24,000. This gives a good ballpark figure.


Would love to see where they got that type of data. The real yoke is connective to the flying surfaces via electronics and hydraulics.

6: Yoke and all other hardware are Metal. Nothing plastic .Not sure about PFC.

No plastic here at all.

Ok now here is my question that www.737yoke.com caught my eye, is this a red flag? "We use a proprietary Damping system with springs." For movement.

Thanks guys,
Angelo Cosma

[AndyT]

The real answer is this:

Both are quality yokes. Which one you choose is dependant on what you want and how you feel about it. Its like buying a guitar. You have to play all of them in the store and then decide which one you want. Its a personal decision.

So make your decision and then be happy with it.

[Michael Carter]

BTW, the original finish on the yokes is 'shiney', or a gloss. It is an extremely hard urethane plastic that is coated on the control wheel. It's not painted on nor is it powder coated.

[Angelo Cosma]

Ok well I think I am going to go ahead and get the PFC yoke tomorrow, just wanted some last minute comments/opinions on it, and aslo, is their any hardware differences between this http://flypfc.com/jetliner_yoke_saab_343.html yoke, vs. the 737 one. http://flypfc.com/jetliner_yoke_boeing_737.html

Thanks for the help.

Angelo Cosma

[Jackpilot]

The SAAB yoke is (was) apparently on a slightly shorter column (I was told...to be confirmed)
If you are not bothered by the yoke shape, which is fine anyway, and if it is the same hardware guts, the SAAB saves you a lot of $, especially if you buy two.