Helicopter Controls Build/Example Thread(Pics very welcome)

I am going to start working on my first Helicopter controls tonight. I want to start a thread for us heli pilots to come together to post our creations and findings. I will start off with a few examples of products on the market and home built masterpieces I have come across.

My plans at this point are to start working with what I have. I purchased some hall effect sensors, some magnets and a leo bodnar BU0836X. I plan to make my own collective, cyclic and rudder pedals from scratch. For now I have a TH warthog, X52, Saitek combat pedals.

I am going to first extend my Warthog using the gardena method. I have a 3d printer on the way so the creative juiced are flowing!!!!

Use of hall effect sensors.

http://www.jpfiles.com/hardware/uni_stick.pdf

Input Output Boards.

http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=76&zenid=e39qpam345orn4n33cimsao9u2

Ready to fly options

http://www.rainman.tv/index_files/rainman_helisim.htm

http://www.komodosimulations.co.uk/#

Forum Members Projects

Peter_Pilots build - http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=105273

Zahry's Warthog Extension - http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=99092

PeterP's KA-50 Cyclic - http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=86015

External Resources

Hover Control Forums http://www.hovercontrol.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?;act=SF;f=43

SimHQ Froums http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/81/1/Flight_Sim_Pit_Builders

Now for some inspiration to get us started. Go!!! (None of these are my creations. Just examples)

X52 mod -

X52 mod - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1smUvU2V558

Heli setup -

-

Very nice! I'm curious about building a collective and was wondering how to connect it to a Potentiometers (so the drawing are awesome). I'm not a electrian but have been able to build basic panels on my own.

My idea for the cockpit was to use this as the stick:

http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/95025100.htm

Although it wouldn't be extended like your, but would be able to connect to my current pit.

I was thinking of using this for the collective:

http://na.suzohapp.com/driving/50818400.htm

I was thinking about taking off the handle portion and extending it to collective size. I was thinking about connecting a project box at the end of it to put switches on.

Very nice! I'm curious about building a collective and was wondering how to connect it to a Potentiometers (so the drawing are awesome). I'm not a electrian but have been able to build basic panels on my own.

 

My idea for the cockpit was to use this as the stick:

http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/95025100.htm

 

Although it wouldn't be extended like your, but would be able to connect to my current pit.

 

I was thinking of using this for the collective:

http://na.suzohapp.com/driving/50818400.htm

 

I was thinking about taking off the handle portion and extending it to collective size. I was thinking about connecting a project box at the end of it to put switches on.

Have you looked into hall effect sensors? I went that route because I wouldn't have to worry so much about gears and connecting the potentiometers to them.

They will wire right up to the leo bodnar board. I have not tried mine yet but from what I gather they are fairly easy to work with after you figure them out. Also no mechanical parts to wear out.

That is a nice stick handle!

Here is an example of someone using the hall effect sensors.

http://www.jpfiles.com/hardware/uni_stick.pdf

Thanks! I'll check it out. Here's my current jet pit...(going to paint it this summer in all black)

My goal is to build modules that can attack to this pit.

Excellent pit. I am going to try to make all of my stuff modular as well. I enjoy playing A-10 as well as flying choppers.

I really like learning how to do things. I've been using USB controller from GroovyGameGear:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=235

But for this I'm thinking of using this:

http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/

I have an old version of the USB controller I bought back in the day that I'm going to use to start with.

Looking at the hall effect it looks pretty cool. WIll have to see if I can find some sources for it.

I have the BU0836X. I have not messed with the axis yet but the switch side works great. I have heard nothing but good things about this board.

I picked up my hall sensors from ebay.

Allegro A1302 hall effect sesnors.

They aslo have them on the Leobodnar site

http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=82&products_id=195

Nice. I like their site and it seems like since we need analog controls, their controller is the best.

Good idea, I followed the advice of this man and I thank you greatly, I did something similar, I have functional beta expected a box awaiting him a better, but hey .. http://www.simpit.me.uk/ I loved the pedals, I will try to copy them.

Great looking work!

Consider using some counter weight on your collective to keep it balanced and use less friction for holding. I used a linkage similar to what CH rudder pedals use for my collective. I hope to use a Mue-modded magnet for holding the collective in position in the future. I hope to make it so it counter-acts a spring loaded brake so it will not have to be energized at all times.

Using a 'backbone' for your pit is a great thing too. It will transfer vibrations all through the pit if you build around it and keep it up off the floor.

None of this stuff is mine. These are other peoples creations. I am just showing people examples to get their creative juices flowing.

That first pic of the cyclic extension is interesting. It looks like PVC but i would have thought that'd have too much flex in it.

I might grab some schedule 120 pipe and give it a shot.

So I bent up a piece of 3/4 conduit last night. I didn't measure and just guessed before I left work. The pipe will not fit inside the copper reducers used in some of the gardena setups people are making. It was also a little to tall for my current desk setup. I don't really want to spend money on any materials i don't have to right now.

Back to the drawing board for me. I just want my 3d printer to show up!!!

Interesting initiative, you can always get good ideas.

I leave a sample of my work with the Logitech G940.

The most difficult; Bend the tube. Easy wiring, 3 wire.

The most complicated, redo the wiring. There are 12 wire.

The stumbling block, the tools and materials. The pedals are a bicycle crank and bottom bracket. No wiring, connected directly to a Leo Bodnar.

Greetings!

Very nice!

hovercontrol.com

hovercontrol.com

Yes. I have that posted in the original post. Very good forum.

Nice! is that yours?

Nice! is that yours?

yes sir. took me almost a year to build the controls.. home depot + ch products. wood monitor stand in 1 1/2 hours. i just need to make a UH-1H touch buddy profile.. but im trying to see whats important to use in the game.. its like this heli is simple, feels like most important controls can be mapped to the joysticks..

i cant wait to make the door gun!!! :D

last week with black shark..

Our new VBS ProCyclic 350. The Huey Cyclic is just around the corner, with the collective a little further around the corner!!

BR

Rich

Do you ship to the USA?

Very nice! If I can't build my own I know where to go!

flying a helicopter without Force trim is like having xxx with a rubber-doll - it will maybe satisfy you for a night or two -...but you will be unlucky at the long run...:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=83814

>>>>Force-Trim Rudder (WIP and still in conceptual design phase)

>>> KA-50 collective: another picture-tale

another force trim mechanism

 

http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/showthread.php?t=73514&page=4&p=1913338&viewfull=1#post1913338

>>>Twist grip upgrade

How To: Remove centre detend from Saitek Pro Flight Rudder

(Helps vastly to fly helicopters)

... and it's evolution: