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
OUTSTANDING! A massive hello from Brunei and Congrats on an amazing job!
Kind Regards
Karl
Assembled the sills and windows. Wanted to get an idea of how everything was going to go together. There's an issue with the fit of the front windows but I need to check I have positioned everything correctly.
I have deviated slightly in some areas from Karls plans so I just want to make sure it will come together ok.
It put a big smile on my face getting to this stage though.😀
Thank you for the updates, absolutely brilliant seeing someone else's build come to life with my plans. I can see the issue with your front windows, so I hope you get this sorted. Thank you for sharing!
A little more progress. Hoping to finish the front windows and top rail so I can begin the overhead structure
You have done really well to get to this stage and awesome effort. I have to admit the overhead can also be a little taxing to build. Only if you want the outside to look good. Internally its just a few angled cuts. Please keep posting!
@Karl Clarke
Thanks Karl. I'm really happy with how its turned out so far!
Keen to get the overhead and will be sure to post progress. I have absolutely no idea how you manage having a day job, create the plans , do the website and videos and all the other things. Dont you sleep or something lol !
Which MIP Panel did you decide on? Your wood working skills are quite evident here. Nicely done.
Hi
Thankyou for your comment. I decided to buy my MIP panel from https://www.cockpitsimparts.co.uk/. This is the V6 Pro Edition though they have a selection of other options.
I'm more than happy with the quality so I will get my overhead and other panels from here also.
I'm by no means a master joiner or carpenter. In fact the only tools I had were a hand saw and a claw hammer before I started!😂. The plans available are easy to follow so it just takes a bit of care to be honest.
😬
I messed around quite a bit with the rail across the top of the front windows. Its a bit different from the plans so hoping it works.
I ordered EFIS panel kits from cockpitsimparts. They shipped yesterday. My slide down the slippery slope has begun. My plan is to complete the Glareshield electronics and then move on to the MIP. The cockpitsimparts store indicates a 2-4 month lead time For the MIP. Were they close to that estimate for you? Did you buy the frame option or go frameless to fabricate your own frame? Cockpitsimparts does not offer the MCP panel. Have you selected a vendor for yo MCP panel yet? I am looking at the Opencockpit version. Karl likes that one as does another Youtuber, Father Dane. I hope you don’t mind the 20 questions.
Regards,
ROG
Hi, I think I accidentally commented rather than replied to your message. Its on my forum page anyway
Regarding the MCP I found this from hispapanels in Spain. They also have some good stuff. I like the EFIS, MCP and CDU kits.
Also PCBs
https://hispapanels.com/tienda/en/41-printed-circuit-boards
Hi
I'm sure you'll be happy with the EFIS. I believe Karl got his overhead panels from them and I will probably do the same.
Slippery slope indeed! I only intended to build the MIP, then moved home which had more space so I decided to go for it!
The MIP was about 3 months from order to delivery. I'm not too sure what you mean by the frame option but I bought the MIP including front and back panels.
When I ordered my MIP I asked Sam at cockpitsimparts if they had plans to produce an MCP and he said yes, but it was a matter of finding the time to do it. Hopefully they may have something before long.
I really like the CPflight.com MCP but they are expensive. Might have to save a bit.
I'm going to have many questions also, especially when it comes to the electronics part!
Regards
Mick
Hi mick, it really is like looking at a mirror image of my build! Fantastic!
Hi Karl, thanks!
Quick question. I have also been taking reference from Markus pilots measurements and was just wondering if your overhead is positioned aft of the glareshield as in the picture?
Mine is quite a bit further aft so not sure if I got something wrong?
@Mick Dewhurst Hi Mick, Great update and it brings back memories of my build. I can see that your mip is too high. The back of the glareshield should be flush with the bottom of the front main windows. I wouldnt worry too much about it, but as a last resort, you could place the MIP lower in the MIP support strucutre. Kind Regards Karl
@Heli Mech
Hi Karl, thanks!
I took a measurement from floor level to the top of the front edge of the glare shield and it is 1090mm so I think it is a little high. I had to make some small changes here and there to correct a few errors that accumulated due to some changes I made so thats probably why haha.
I think I should be ok with it. I was hoping to be a bit further on and beginning painting outside at this point in the year, before the great British weather kicks in!!
I checked out the Cpflight MCP. They are VERY proud of their products. Yikes......that bad boy is expensive.
Created the window catches, just need to cut the angle.
Printed a few of the sidewall fittings
I've been working overseas for 3 months so haven't had chance to do much. Just continuing the overhead structure.
You are looking good in that photo.
Quite happy with the fit of the front windows.
Cutting templates for overhead side panels
Got a feeling I will have to turn the whole thing sideways in the garage to get the 3 screens in! This would also allow me to increase the floor height and add the rear section, avoiding the garage door closer.
Plastic chair is where I sit and drink beer at the end of the day🤣
That CHAIR is very very important
Another template. Its quite thick paper so was good for getting close to what was needed. made it slightly bigger on the mdf and just kept checking and trimming on the router table
Had to split the opening into two triangles to allow for the difference in angles between the two planes.
I thought I would try to panel the overhead out fully in 9mm mdf and then look at where to cut out for the eyebrow plugs after
Hi It looks as though you are building your sim in a garage. I am planning on starting mine in 2021 but was starting to get concerned that I would not have enough room. How are you finding the the space around the sim?
Hi there! Its a bit tight for space definitely haha. I think I will have to turn sideways to run 3 screens but I think it should be possible....
@butler-andrew2
Here is a good video for considering monitor space requirements (if you are thinking about a 3 monitor set up). I am thinking of setting up with 3 x 65 inch TV's set at between 45 and 60 degree field of view. At 45 degrees this would require 3.5 metres side to side, hence why I really need to turn the sim sideways as the garage is around 3 metres wide
Looking good Mick. Your wood working skill set is very apparent.
Hi, thanks bud. I had made a few changes to Karl’s plans and at one point I really wished I hadn’t haha
I reckon I can make it work though. How are you going with your build?
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
Have you looked at Simvim to run with Xplane?