Controling the PMDG 737 Overhead panel

[mdeponeo]

Hi Mark,

Even if PMDG come up with an SDK, I'm not sure it will be as easy as what you have descibed so far. Not only that bust as you say it can be applied to any twin jet. My guess is that people won't have tuo buy PMDG, they can use the default with other addon software and your board/solution. I would think there is a good market for this.

Rob

Yep any twin engined Jet.
I use PMDG because I have the FMC by engravity and the CPFlight MCP and expantion board. etc. But any setup will work because the logic board relies
on ONLY stock FS offsets
As for the Market Well who knows. I have had 3 aproaches in the last 24hrs from companies offering to distribute it if we get it into prodution so there is some interest.

Mark

[vybhav]

Hey !
Thanks for the WOW!!!

Just let me put this in perspective. We are not trying to compete here with PM. We are not PM builders or bashers
We are just saying in this case there is a cheaper way to get your overhead working . Most of us cant afford PM as we are just home builders
And its not Just the Software , Its all the interfacing hardware that goes with it. And lets face it some of it dont work as it's suposed to anyway and
costs a fortune.
This alternative way I'm sure will have a few critics from the PM camp
giving it a good bashing. and we will still be the poor relatives
But at the end of the day its cost right?
but most important IT WORKS!!
its proved possible to get the overhead locked to the PMDG overhead with all the switches and anunciators working as they should.
Its proved possible to display correct Voltage , Current and availability
on 7 segment displays. Its possible to drive gauges. (even if they are not in the software) we can drive six packs , anything realy is possible useing this technique.
Even if you are using the stock FS 737 it will still work. (minus the sexy sounds you get with PMDG)

Glad I got that off my chest

Thanks fot the suport
Mark

Mark totally appreciate your views here. If i just talk from my point of view 'a limited budget home cockpit builder' i like the idea and hope one day we will be able to purchase this at an affordable prices.

Regards
Vybhav

[Anderson/SBSP]

This board make all overhead annunciators work? You can give more details?

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

hello anderson.......
what mark did was sit down and emulate the exact behaviour of the overhead starting at the bottom. there is a hierarchy in the logic of the overhead which dictates what happens when certain criteria are met. e.g from ground power only thru to in flight fully powered up there is a sequence of events that make certain things happen and illuminate or extinguish paticular annunciators.
the first time i saw it working i was blown away and that was just the prototype
once you have the logic sorted, it then becomes possible to control all the systems as they actually are controlled.
i have a working model on my workbench and watching it work, i honestly think he is onto a winner here.
so in short to answer your question, it is possible to control just about everything.
all the words in the world cannot do this justice. you have to see it working, it's just brilliant.
regards ... ian.

[Anderson/SBSP]

Great Ian!! Please i first in the line to buy my board!! hehehehe

Make more videos or pics to show this wonderfull piece of gold!!!

[Bob Reed]

Let me start out by saying I am a PM user from way back. I think this is a wonderful development for all pit builders especially the ones not building a 737 / A3xx! Because get away from those 2 aircraft and there is not much out there to work with for logic. Price is always a huge issue for the home builder. I know when these become ready I will be in line for one. Great work!!

[mdeponeo]

Let me start out by saying I am a PM user from way back. I think this is a wonderful development for all pit builders especially the ones not building a 737 / A3xx! Because get away from those 2 aircraft and there is not much out there to work with for logic. Price is always a huge issue for the home builder. I know when these become ready I will be in line for one. Great work!!

Thanks Bob,
I must admit I'm amazed at the positive responce from everyone
even got a PM user interested eh
Im starting to believe there realy is a demand out there for this .
We are working very hard here to make this happen .
The only delay we have is getting this thing moved on from prototype
to a profesional looking piece of kit. without the cost running away
We have a few ways lined up for this and we should be in a better
posision at the November show to start talking leed times and most
important -cost and We are shooting for the lowest possible .

Mark

[shearder]

Oh there definately is a demand for it. I was/am a home builder and built a prototype panel to give me lights, engines and MCP control. The bug bit me and ran off with most of my money so now i am busy with a 737/generic cockpit (based on 737) but with limited space and money - i am married!! LOL

So i am building HALF (captain side) a cockpit with part of a pedestal and an overhead. How would this compare with FSBUS as i am busy awaiting the components...

WOuld it be available as a "self build" download ciircuit board and buy and program components etc? How would you envisage selling this?? Especially for people with LESS money

Anyways - from the video I would be interested. I also hope PMDG get a FSX version of 737 out soon!!! I love heavies but reasonalble build would be generic as i fly A3xx, B7xx, Antonov etc

GREAT "product"!!!

[mdeponeo]

Oh there definately is a demand for it. I was/am a home builder and built a prototype panel to give me lights, engines and MCP control. The bug bit me and ran off with most of my money so now i am busy with a 737/generic cockpit (based on 737) but with limited space and money - i am married!! LOL

So i am building HALF (captain side) a cockpit with part of a pedestal and an overhead. How would this compare with FSBUS as i am busy awaiting the components...

WOuld it be available as a "self build" download ciircuit board and buy and program components etc? How would you envisage selling this?? Especially for people with LESS money

Anyways - from the video I would be interested. I also hope PMDG get a FSX version of 737 out soon!!! I love heavies but reasonalble build would be generic as i fly A3xx, B7xx, Antonov etc

GREAT "product"!!!

I know how you feel money wise
lack of lolly !!!
your not on your own there mate
Most of us have a very limited buget . lets face it we build these things for fun not for a living.
I'm just like you trying to build a home built sim. As there was no obviouse way of geting my overhead working without some very expensive software
and hardware, I started experimenting and developed a solution .
Im an electronics engineer by trade so That helps .
this is not a project that would be easy to publish as I suspect most would
find it problematic to build from scratch.
however, as Ive said before Im happy to get it produced as a kit if there is enough interest. I've got a demo version that I will be taking to the FS weekend in November. If it goes down well I will get the main board produced
I cant see why it could not be in kit form if thats what some people want.
It would help to keep the cost down
Of course, even pre built you will have a lot of work to do conecting it up

I'm not trying to start a company out of this, I just think this is a good solution to the overhead problem and if enough guys are interested I could
get the board profesionaly built. If I make any profit it will get spent at
aviationmegastore.com
watch this space

Mark

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

gentlemen......
trust me, this idea is brilliant, i've seen it develop from the start and actually sat in marks cockpit with dave holt and mark to watch it working in the actual overhead. i had to keep wiping my mouth because i was 'dribbling'
if you are going to Lelystad, then come and see this demo working. you will want one believe me. i'll post some more details on my website when i've spoken to mark about showing the demo.........
hope to see you there......
regards ... ian