Hi. Just wanted to share where I have got to with my own build. I work away from home often so its taken a while but I carry on at every opportunity.
I decided to build the entire cockpit first and get the messy stuff out of the way before undertaking any electronic stuff. I'm using X Plane 11 and Simvim.
Great website and youtube channel!!, thanks







Started on the plate for the window handles 1.5mm aluminium sheet
Almost there with FO sidewall / windows
Sorry added wrong pic
Hi all
Build has been slow as I have been away, but keen to get stuck in again!!
I had built and undercoated the side windows. I wasn't going to bother with the cut out for the circuit breaker light but it was bugging me so I decided to have a go.
I routered 33mm deep and with a slightly different shape and position to the plans.
I cut out a piece of 3mm hardboard I had and matched it to the profile of the cut out. I cut it a little bigger and then sanded until it was a good fit. I glued the edges to hold it in place and then caulked around the inside.
I painted the chart holders. There are some patchy bits here and there but I am happy with how they look
I ordered some 1.5 mm thick aluminium sheet from amazon for the window handle bracket. Started marking out and drilling the holes.
Hi Mick,
What a fantastic and detailed write up! Love that you took the time to add detailed close up photos too! The jack screws on the back of the monitor is very clever allowing for that fine adjustment.
For stand offs, I now print them on the 3d printer. This was they are the exact size you need and basically nothing. I just create a tube the size I need. Looks Smart and professional.
Keep at it! and Kind Regards,
Karl
Nice! Do you use a CNC to cut the wood?
Congratulations.
From Las Vegas NV, Great Job Sr. This is a very very very beautifull work.
This is the monitor for the Captains side PFD. The First Officer side is identical.
They are both 18.5 inch Philips 196V widescreen pc monitors. (ebay)
I was going to use the tabs on the bottom of the monitors to help position it by slotting the lower section of the MIP frame but decided against this and hacksawed them off so that the monitor sits flat on the frame. Checked all monitors were working before removing the cases of course!
At the bottom rear of the monitor were the two drilled and tapped holes (M4) which the stand attached to. I cut a piece of wood and marked it to match the hole centres then drilled 5mm clearance. I fastened the wood to the screen using M4 x 40mm machine screws with nuts and washers so that I could jack the monitors against the MIP panel.
I used a jacking screw to support the monitor and set the monitor flush with the MIP.
The centre monitor (upper eicas) is an Acer X163W 16 inch PC monitor. There are four M4 fixing points at the back so I used a similar method for setting it to the MIP.
I found these monitors fit perfectly and I am happy they are secure. I'm hoping the struts don't hamper me too much when fitting the electronics panels but I can modify if needed.
To connect to my PC I bought 3 Display port to VGA adaptors.
I used a plug in called ZHSI for X Plane 11. Its very easy to use. Just drag each panel onto the displays and mouse scroll to set size.
Just out of interest I will do a flight later to test FPS with and without the screens connected to see if it is possible to run this from a single PC.
Going to start faffing about with some panels. Starting with these. I am using screws initially to see what gaps I need between each layer, then choose a stand off size. (Anybody know where I can get standoffs really really cheap) works out quite costly for all the panels!
The clear acrylic sheet is 3mm thick. I cut to size with a hacksaw then marked the M4 holes through the panel. I found that a step drill on the bench drill worked well and good for drilling the different size holes needed
Looking forward to seeing meaningful info on the monitors
UFFFFFFFFF!!!!! Congrat.....
Amazing job!!!!!
Merry Xmas Everyone!!!
Chartholders
For the taper bit on the chart holder I decided to glue a few bits of MDF then put a shim under to get somewhere near.
I would recommend a proper face mask. I was a bit coughy that evening and had to have many beers because of dry throat. Seriously bad stuff!!!! Dangerous
Bit of indoor work now lol. Was eager to try and get the monitors in and see if there was space to get all screws in and stuff. Hoping there's a Captain side FMC under that tree but probs just a big bar of chocolate... which is also awesome
Nice work Mick,thats a lot of work!I have the CP Flight efis and mcp,very good quality and easy hookup.keep up the good work.
Hi Mick, This is stunning! It looks just like mine! (and so it should! But in reality, I'm just always shocked to see my build in someone else's hands) but I love that bare MDF look. Its the foundations of awesomeness! From Experience, this is going to be exceptional! If you are as happy as me with the way it finally turns out. You are certainly going to get full Boeing 737 Cockpit Experience! Well Done! Wish I lived closer, just so I could pop round a give you hand! Kind Regards Karl
amazing work. following this topic
I have looked at it and I am looking at it again. I like the Mobiflight interface much more than the SimVin use of breakout boards.
Continuing steady progress!
I have the first EFIS panel read for testing. I have the Start Switches printed and assembled. I have the FMC/CDU panel assembled except for the keys. I am waiting on the plastic bits that keep the keys captured in the assembly. Once I get these pieces I can finish assembly and test it. I have started work on the Ovhd elec panel pcb that will hold the 5 3 digit displays and annuciator LEDS. I really enjoy the design and fabrication of PCBS.. Software on the other hand is kicking my butt. I am struggling with trying to make a Python Interface plugin work. I am also not having any luck trying to make the Sim (X-Plane) play nice with mobiflight and XPUIPC. I have some buttons communicating but I have no luck making a7 segment display work. My encoder drives the display in the sim but the sim is not talking to the display. I have been having a lot of fun with my new 3d printer. It was a joy to print and build Karl’s start switches. I am going to work on configuration for EFIS as well as documentation for it tonight.
ROG