Have feelers out for a keyboard

[Michael Carter]

I contacted this company that builds custom keyboards for nearly any application:

http://www.electronickeyboards.com/i...rial%20keypads

They have several keyboard configurations that may be of use to those of us building sims without supported software. Aside from the fact that it can be configured in any keystroke pattern you'd like, they also custom build.

I requested a 30 key keyboard that will drop into a standard Boeing commercial aircraft rack of 5". I specified that it had to be a top mount with flanges for the rails, and the keys will be half standard size, or hi-density configuration. PS/2 or USB is your option, no extra charge.

Programming the keystrokes and key legend/color is also no problem for them.

They claim to have made aircraft keyboards in the past, so this shouldn't be too over the top for them dealing with standard widths and other dimensions.

These keyboards start at (IIRC) $178 US, but with my custom mount requirements could be closer to $225 to $250. Still, a bargain to me not to have a 102 MS keyboard sucking up my RT real estate like a foreclosure attourney.

On the plus side, I will still have view control, info control at the screen top(Shft+z), and panel control for the engineer side of the airplane.

Might be worth a look if you still have to have a keyboard perched somewhere to operate some functions of the aircraft.

This one is going to look like it was installed by Boeing and no one will know the difference.

[Tomlin]

Cool- keep us informed on what happens. Im trying to totally eliminate the keyboard from the Learjet, but you never really know if/when it has to be used some times in the future.

[737NUT]

I'm in!! Let me know your satified and i will place an order! Since i fly the same plane now.