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Trim Indicator Progress

posted 2 Feb 2012 11:08 by Fritz Weinrebe

The Trim Indicator was designed using CAD. It was then cut on a CNC milling machine out of Aluminium.

Below is a photo of the progress so far.

I now need to paint the top part, cut and fit a window out of Perspex and create a backplate for the scale. The 3 small aircraft also needs to be manufactured.

Flight Controls

posted 9 Jan 2012 12:02 by Fritz Weinrebe

To save time on the construction of the simulator, I've decided to go for a commercial flight contol system and integrate it into the simulator. I settled for the Logitech Flight System G940.

The throttle (PCL) is a dual throttle system, which enables me to use it with twin aircraft as well in case I want to fly something else than the PC9.

The Logitech throttle is wider than the Left Pedestal so I will have to make a modification to the pedestal.

PCL

The Force Feedback Joystick has been modified for the main flight controls.

Joystick Modification

The rudder pedals have also been mounted (at an angle to be more realistic).

Rudder Pedals

For more information see the seperate Hardware pages for each control.

Floor

posted 4 Nov 2011 01:11 by Fritz Weinrebe

The floor was built and consists of 2 main parts. The rear floor supports the ejection seat, both pedestals and the main flight controls. The front floor on the other hand support the main panel, rudder pedals and will host the 2 PC's. Currently there is a bit of a weak point in the floor where the 2 parts meet. I will have to add support there, but first need to complete the main flight controls.

Simulator shell taking shape

Rear Floor Assembly - Bottom View

Front Floor Assembly - Top View

Main Panel Mockup

posted 19 Sep 2011 11:40 by Fritz Weinrebe

I mounted the 2 x 8inch LCD screens to the Main panel and did a test together with the 3 LCD screens connected to the TrippleHead2Go on the main FSX PC. This gave me an idea of what the final simulator will be like. The PFD, EICAS and GPS screen seen on the photo is running on a seperate PC than the FSX PC. All the applications are written in C# using Microsoft C# 2010 Express and connects to FSX using SimConnect over the LAN.

The Main panel is made of 21mm MDF and will be used as a discovery prototype. The final Main Panel will be cut on the CNC to greater precision.

The test flight was made from Zurich - Buochs - Zurich and as a night flight. The PFD and EICAS performed well and there were no need to refer to any FSX instruments other than the few switches I had to toggle in the 3D cockpit and setting the heading bug and course indicator.

Project Progress 03 September 2011

posted 3 Sep 2011 04:53 by Fritz Weinrebe

Below is a picture of the simulator as on 03 September 2011. Notice tha the ejection seat has been trimmed. It is now a bit more like the PC9M seat instead of a F16 Aces II seat.

Right Pedestal Switch Panel

posted 30 Aug 2011 13:20 by Fritz Weinrebe [ updated 30 Aug 2011 13:44 ]

Recently I had time to calibrate the CNC and tried to fix an alignment problem I had during the first attemt of the Right Pedestal Switch Panel. This time I am happy with the results. I realised I will need to get a harder steel for the guide rods.

Below is a picture of the part design as well as a photo of the actual cut made on the CNC. The part is covered with Sanding Sealer but not sanded yet. The switches and Potentiometers will be attached to this part and will be covered with another panel made of Perspex. The other panel will be painted black and the labels on the panel will be engraved. Backlighting must also be done with green LED's.

The switch- and potentiometer holes has a sunken pocket for the nuts to fit in. When the top perspex panel is placed on top of them, the nuts won't interfere with the panel.

Part as viewed in CAM

Part Cut with CNC

Main Flight Controls Progress

posted 15 Jun 2011 09:11 by Fritz Weinrebe [ updated 30 Aug 2011 13:19 ]

The main flight controls are coming along nicely. Below is a photo of what I've done so far. Four pieces were made on the CNC machine. The design is based on the Jentron Gimbal MkII by Gene Buckle.

Main Flight Controls

CNC Cut

Back from my break

posted 6 Mar 2011 04:17 by Fritz Weinrebe

I've decided to return to the PC-9M project. It is good to be back. There is nothing like new energy and enthusiasm. During my break I was able to acquire 3 18.5'' LCD monitors and together with the Tripplehead2Go they provide lots of joy playing Flight Simulator X.

I've decided to spend more time on drawing the shell in a CAD program and then only start building the shell. The CNC also accumulated a bit of rust, so I need to fix that.

Taking a break

posted 28 Jul 2010 14:27 by Fritz Weinrebe

Due to a lot of changes to my profession, I am taking a small break from the Simulator project.

New Website

posted 18 Apr 2010 07:07 by Fritz Weinrebe

The website was transfered to a new host and the domain has been changed to a more appropriate one. But the project is still the same.

I hope you enjoy the new look.

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