Howto:Build your own Panel or Cockpit
General information about panel and cockpit, instrument, gauge and control construction
Ok! You've decided you want to build a Simulator Cockpit, an Instrument Panel or Radio Stack. Possibly some controls like Yokes, Rudder Pedals, Throttles, Flaps, Light Switches etc.
Me too! You may or may not have a clue how to go about it. I didn't when I started, but I'm starting to find the clues. I'm getting lots of help from others and I'm sharing some of what I learn on this and related Howto pages.
This page is intended to get us going in the right direction. As I write this, I'm in the very early stages of my project. I'll post details of it but it's not going to be compete step by step directions. I expect you will be able to look at what I've done and improve on it.
Keep in mind that your project can be original or an exact copy of someone else's successful project or something in between. I choose the Cessna 172P, you might choose another aircraft.
Like any project, It helps to have a plan. An organized set of tasks that get you where you want to go. There are things you will need to learn. Identify what you need to learn early and add those to the plan. Skills you might need include the basics in several areas: Single Board Computers, Microprocessors and their programming, Creating Mechanical Linkages etc. Don't get me wrong here. You don't have to become an engineer to be successful. You'll need to find out about available suppliers for the components and parts you'll be using. You'll need to carve out a home for what you're building. And you'll definitely want to talk with others who are doing similar projects.
Enough Generality for today. Lets get down to specific tasks.
If you want to contribute to any of these pages, keep in mind that there's always more than one way to do it. Keep things cool when discussing alternatives. I'd be more interested in exposing the advantages and disadvantages of several approaches than reading material that promotes one method over another. When writing about your project, tell what worked and what you actually tried but didn't work.
Links to howtos on panel and cockpit building tasks
- Planning
- Gauges, Instruments, Radios and Controls
- Education
- Supplies
- Tools
- Processors and Electronics
- Software
- Mechanical Construction
- Communicating with the Simulator
"I want to build a cockpit" mailing list thread