146 Overhead panel compete! (just about)

[mach7]

Here are some additional pics of all the overhead panels installed. Still have to convert most of them to LED's but all the center panels are modified and operational.

With regards to my previous post on overhead panel structurual integrity....nothing has come crashing down yet..so I guess its good to go:)

[AVIATor-Olav]

Looks good! Good to see others building " classic cockpits" using real hardware. What guages are you using for the Capt an FO MIPs? Also, what sim and flight model are you using?

Cheers
Tor

[mach7]

Hello Avator-Olav,

for the Capatains and F/O panels, i am using FSPanel studio to enlarge and place the instruments behind 15" lcd screens. What i really want to do is use real instruments modified....but not sure if that is an option or not.

The engine gauges, flap gauge, and fuel gauges all function using Open Cockpits USB servo cards and are programmed using SIOC.

With respect to the simulator platform...i am using a generic freeware download as the payware or some other offerings do not work well with FSPanel studio.

[AVIATor-Olav]

I use FSPS also for all my guages. A mix of freeware and payware guages in my case. I'd love to go with real guages one day, but I doubt it's going to happen. Too much work to interface I fear.Besides, my setup is really nice and stable now, so I dread to mess with it! :/ what fs version are you using? Fs9, fsx, xp?
Nice build! :)

[mach7]

I am using FS9 with the windows XP operating system. I haven't started on the visuals yet.....however I do have a licenced copy of Wideview and a second computer to run one view (at the moment). I entertained the thought of using the Matrox TH2go, but decided that the frame rates would just disappoint me...so I will be getting more computers online and using "Wideview" exclusivley through a network to run my outside views.

The only question now is monitors or overhead projectors.

[Avro748]

I believe you can servo operate the Captain and F/O Gauges, but none of the flags would work. There simply aren't any servos that are small enough to use to operate them.

[mach7]

You could actually just operate the fail flags off a 5 volt power supply of some sort. It would be nice to see them in view and then disappear when you 'power up'.

I am still open to options...will probably try and get someone to modify them for me if I go the route...i have all the real gauges necessary...just not the technology to modify.

I was going to approach Leo Bodnar to do this for me...but he seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.

[Avro748]

You might want to take a look at this:
Flight Simulator Interface to Real Avionics Instruments by V1 Avionics Team — Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1753938984/flight-simulator-interface-to-real-avionics-instru)
I wonder if it's any good.

[mach7]

Thanks Avro...will check them out!

[mach7]

Avro, i checked this out and like it a lot. Do you have anymore information on these guys...V1 Avionics...it seems that they are still in the development stage(?). I fired them off an email so hopefully will get a reply. Thanks for pointing them out to me!

[Avro748]

No, I actually had just found out about them before I posted.

[mach7]

Yes...fired off a bunch of emails and got a reply today. Seems the interface will be ready to purchase this year sometime...i am definitley going to go this route!

[Avro748]

Try this website for genuine parts at rock bottom prices:
Airline Pilot's Historical Society (http://www.oncealoft.com/)
There's a section for instruments entitled "ONLINE CATALOG: COCKPIT MEMORABILIA, SIM PARTS"

They are very quick to reply to email, and I often check to see if they have a 748 yoke in their hands.

[mach7]

Avro, yes...I have bought from the AHPS before...contact is Nick Louis...very good to deal with and excellent customer support. A lot of builders are reluctant to use them because they do not take paypal or credit cards...you basically have to wire money to them or send a money order.

I have bought thousands of dollars of parts off him and never a problem. Also the money goes to help sick children so its a win win.

[Avro748]

As of yesterday, they now take PayPal!