Generic AV8B inspired Simpit Cockpit evolution

[Thanatos31]

First off - I'm not an engineer , nor exceptionally smart - so I had to lean heavily on this awesome community for inspiration and help. And trust into the motto: " just start and figure it out as we go" 

Big shout out to @Bog9y and @Xpendable- who've been an amazing helpers and gave me loads of feedback and input. 
Also to @sea2skyfor the general idea of creating a generic cockpit, that doesn't have to be suuuuper detailed and usable for multiple applications.

I started with the typical setup some of us have - 2x Cugar MFDs and a small Numpad in the middle as my desk setup - it's easily built up and easily removed. As I played more and more, and also began to fly more serious ( thanks TAW JTF88 !) my setup stayed built up more and longer - and I wanted to make things more realistic and playable. 

I started building @obious designed AV8B UFC  as well as @FoxDelta

After that was done, soon I saw @sea2sky generic F18 cockpit , and I wanted to design something similar - generic but rooted in the AV8B.
I learned how to use Shapr3D ( Fantastic Ipad app, if you have the iPencil as well) and designed the cockpit in it.

I wanted it to be a small profile / small footprint type of simpit, that I could move around - hence the setup with the rollers and the "platform" that goes just up to the seat. The side panels are moveable as well, so that you can get it all together 

From this it went to a local CNC shop, got the wood 

adjusted it and painted it - and through the different building stages 

we ended up with this:

 

things I still want to do short / mid term: 

• 3 WinWing MFDs, 1 WinWing takeoff panel built in
• Throttle built into the left panel 
• Figure out storage for my keyboard and kneeboard when not in use 
• Glare shield 
• Better seat solution 
   

 

Questions?Tips ? Comments? let me know 

€dit: Embed fail...will upload hi res pics once I find the will to do it all again 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Thanatos31
embed fail

[agrasyuk]

That's a solid start.

 

[Thanatos31]

Update with the winwing hardware in place. Great quality products! 

 

currently working on the mastermode/arm panel , as well as a solution for the master caution and warning buttons 

 

[Thanatos31]

Update 

masterarm Panel with Master mods; as well as a modified version of the UFC master caution and warning sides

Using the 16mm rectangular buttons from Amazon works quite well for master modes and caution buttons

heschen 16mm; they also do rectangular ones

https://amzn.to/3HhFBmq

[Xpendable]

Excellent work. I like how you've solved problems and iterated over things making it become ever more functional.

I can't wait to finally start pulling some things together and have working controls in my own pit. Probably won't be able to start cutting wood for the cockpit until after the new year, but that's okay. I am going to get there! 

[Thanatos31]

thanks J! 
yeah, with the F15E on the horizon, it needs to stay functional for multiple moduls

[Thanatos31]

Current state - 

installed bass shakers - guys - must have. I wasn’t aware of what I was missing before using it. Spent 200€ and am more than pleased ! 
 

also some LEDs around. 
 

[Scott-S6]

The sunshield is a very classy touch.