Homebuilt Cockpit (Simpit) for Use With FSX

[a24218361]

its a cool idea, but it looks terrible, nothing is straight, all the wood is bent and twisted

i dont see the point in doing something like this if you are not going to take a bit extra time and get it right. sorry just my opinion.

[kakahoofd21]

what a wonder full thing im building one to but it ill take al long time

[DIMATIF]

H... A... X... O_O

[TheManics4]

omg that voice is sooooo irritating!!

[porche3r]

you sound exactly like chessna 127 

[chiva2k]

that joy stick on 2:28 its tha same joy stick used on my Fly Sim for taxing

[aAIRCANADA806]

your voice is reaaaallly annoying...

[360kal]

did you really need all those relays if you already have fsuipc ??

i have got toggle switches for my cockpit and i just connect them to my card and program them with fsuipc.

[flightsimulationguru]

@360kal I didn't have the special card, I was just using the controller from an old keyboard and in that case you do need the relay for the toggle. I was being a bit geeky and wanted to wire it all up myself, but there are certainly easier ways of doing with software and special cards.

[12ock]

interesting!!

[rafaipod]

Wow, nice sim keep up the good work :)

but how did ou build the backlit panels.

[flightsimulationguru]

I used a technique I've read about in a few different places. In short, I printed the backlit sections onto clear transparency film with an inkjet printer. I did this twice and carefully attached the two layers together as just a singly layer allowed too much light through in the dark areas. I then placed these transparency sections into the openings on my panel and backit everything with amber LEDs. This is an easy way to make any backlit panel you want. @rafaipod

[toontownrules307]

That must of took weeks to build

[MrArmybrat]

Hey sweet set up. I was wondering how do you get the PFD and the NAV display on separate panels? where can I get this programe from? I live in Australia. Cheers

[LittleFrogInLake]

yeah! really cool! how did you built the autopilot? please, i need some help because i will build my own one. thank you

[flightsimulationguru]

The autopilot is no different than any of the other buttons. It's just switches that run through an old keyboard controller with the functions assigned to specific 'keys' in Flight Simulator. @LittleFrogInLake

[InnSewerAnts]

Hey, I take it from the video having a second joystick hooked up next to the pro flight yoke/throttle and rudders is no issue? I've been wondering about this as I have the yoke+rudder setup as well but would like to add a stick when i fly planes that have a stick in reality but would like to use the throttle block that comes with the yoke (no money for the x52 atm). Would this be a problem in that the yoke will interfere with using the stick for the surfaces? Cheers and see you up there :)

[flightsimulationguru]

@InnSewerAnts I don't think it is a problem in most cases. The additional joystick should just show up as a separate controller and in theory you should be able to map whatever functions you want to its buttons and the joystick itself.

[MRMODAMIA1]

can u say...fire hazard!!

[flightsimulationguru]

Those wires are only carrying 9 volts with very low current so not really... but I agree the back certainly look a bit crazy. @MRMODAMIA1

[pab4994]

$5,000?

I would buy it,...

[z28camaro2]

now you just need a Head Tracker, 2 More monitors, 3D Vision Kit, and a Buttkicker :-)

[albertonly]

Look fellas,the guy really is trying to show some basic low cost ways to get into a pit.Personally,I wouldnt mind using some duct tape.

I'll have to talk to my wife about sharing her duct tape so I can wrap myself up in this to.

[juniormafia27]

This "Custom Cock.....pit", is straight garbage....just terrible. You should be ashammed of yourself for posting this!!! Please don't post no more BS.  And ducktape???!!!??? I'd be God Damn....tape???!!!!?? The Taliban could have made a better cockpit with the same shit you used.

[naval8viator]

Step back.. and.. relax. This obviously isn't a true to life $20,000 simulator. Its just a gimmicky cockpit setup for people that are either to lazy, to broke, don't care enough, or just casual fliers that don't want to build a true to life cockpit. Yes, I plan on starting a real cockpit when I put $5k together to start the base build, but it doesn't mean everyone wants to take the better part of a decade like I plan to to build a cockpit.

[juniormafia27]

Alright...I just read what I wrote. Came off a little too strong. Sorry.

[flightsimulationguru]

;-) Thanks. I never intended to compete with any of the top end home-builts out there. Personally I'd rather put the extra money towards flying real planes, but that's just me. @naval8viator

[anoblenate]

where did you pick up that terminal strip? I just hacked a keyboard for a switch panel and ended up soldering wires to each button, which took forever. that would have simplified things greatly. After I'd done so i thought of using a couple of speaker connectors. Wish I thought of it sooner. Nice build and great tips.

[flightsimulationguru]

@anoblenate I think it is from Radio Shack. Thanks for the comments and good luck with your build.

[marquis0r]

cool stuff with that fsxpand, i've searched long time for such a solution! now i may hook up my laptops to display those guages.

is it running good, fast and responsible? and STABLE??

[Dominoes282]

Ugh, my pit isnt that good but with the computer its about 2,500$

check out my channel to see

[TheToufikzeidan]

did anyone figure out how to map the keyboard?

[flightsimulationguru]

From my experience there are really two ways to do this. 1. Follow each line on the keyboard's circuit and see where they cross (works, but is a real pain) or 2. Hook up the keyboard to an old PC (incase you fry it) and manually start crossing the connections on the pin board, recording the input that each one sends to the PC.

[ChrizRockster]

Time to get your PPL! 8o)

[ror3dracer01]

at 1:34 why didnt you sand the wood down it would make it look better

[jancoetzer12]

where can you buy those flip switches? I want to build my own cockpit and I want to use the switches that you have. please comment back.

[flightsimulationguru]

Switches are either from Radio Shack our Mouser

[jancoetzer12]

AMAZING, JUST AMAZING, Than an ameture (like me) could be able to build such a sophisticated system! WOW!!!!! I am very impressed by your work! Well done!

[flightsimulationguru]

Thanks ;-)

[TheGreatFlyer]

Awesome video! Excellent flightsim!

How do you program the joystick to be the nose gear?

[SimSamurai]

@TheGreatFlyer You should check out my site at SimSamurai-dot-net

[FlaAlfa]

very creative and resourceful. I applaud your effort. What is the instrument and flight display engine?

[flightsimulationguru]

FsXPand

[FSHighDefinition]

hey, i have an old keyboard laying about and just the other day i had to use it and i was surprised it worked! after i watched this vid i was wondering what system i can build from the keyboard i mean something like aircraft lights, engine starters etc etc, can you give me advice how to do this please

[Daevo69]

insane

[gavbag1234]

Right, question.

Any pilots on here your answers would be especially valuable obviously.

How realistic is flight sim x in terms of difficulty and so on?

[flightsimulationguru]

In general it's way easier in flight sim. Flight sims are good for learning how to use the instruments and to test use of skills that would simply be far to dangerous to try in real life (e.g. dealing with multiple system failures) but in terms of flying there is no substitute for the real thing.

[SSiteSmiley]

Thats a very cool simpit you got there

also isn't that music from the 404 on CNET

[danGigantic]

you have got to admit, your painting is rubbish lol

[danGigantic]

Also, where do you download fsexpand etc. to make the guages on the screen? Also do you need 2 computers for this to work?

[jim82828]

my serious side says you are very sad and you need a new hobby.

But my gamer side says that is the greatest thing ever

[flightsimulationguru]

;-)

[DerGeckarbor]

@jim82828 It´s a hobby xD

[HowToMakeCrap]

i think that whole this s just awesome!

there's just one problem.

when you work so hard on something like this, a few months might pass and you'll get bored of it. unless your like me and keep doing the same thing for a long time!

put thumbs up if saitek is the best brand for flght sim accessories! i have the yoke and quardant and made my life so much easier with this game!

[nighthawk006]

That's pretty amazing :) 5x*

[roohava]

you have the best videos on youtube!

[manta965]

you should get a progector like you said but one that cn progect onto a weard shape like window shape that woulde make it like a real simulator they use to train

[Abbas11227]

Why Not Become A Pilot For An Airline

[EskimoJOE55]

To get all your ratings and the basic minimum of 500 Multi Engine hours costs minimum 60,000 dollars. Very expensive.

[endlesstime41]

im wondering why dont you just be a real pilot because you would be good and u would have a better view?

[santru44]

i have same exact monitor as u have.....lol..

[yes4me]

Amazing 5/5

[lalaland98]

how much did that cost you ?

[flightsimulationguru]

Actually, not that much. A key focus of the project was keeping costs for simulator construction to a minimum.

I've posted a more detailed response on my website and placed a link in the video's description.

[gliderwickid]

That look increadably cool:D. just to bad that the flightdynamic in FS suck

[RuneScapeForDummies]

I have yet to see someone build a 767 home cockpit.  I love the 767, someone build one damnit >:)!

[DC180]

omg that is the shit man!! that is the shit!!!!

[zfreak90]

too crazy lol

[Flegmatica]

I have seen people who own these cockpits and stuff. You guys are so lucky. All is about money, if you dont have money (like me) then i can just dream about this stuff. I dont even own joystick (Collecting for saitek x52 pro)

[Delta9prod]

VEry good!

[markr92]

Nice Video,

Please could you tell me how you wired up your toggle switches to work with a capacitor and a reed relay. Thanks

[theguywhohatesstuff]

yea!

[micha0001]

well, MS names the folder "Microsoft Games"... so?

[drifter1995]

Some people just take this game way way to seroius :/ no offence btw is it true or not? some people buy this shit for 12 thousdand dollers i think thats way way way way to seroius for a damn game

[henrasthebest]

it isn't only a game. it is a simulator!

[Rubdos]

@henrasthebest FSX is just a game... X-Plane is called a simulator, but it isn't that popular :(

[ap1190]

Most people go through life with no passion, no real intention of doing anything.

They work, eat, sleep and repeat.

Someone people have a passion, and for some that is aviation so its not a game, its a passion!

[SiriusSat101]

Are you kidding me if I had 12G's I couldnt get to the store to buy this fast enough.

[frogger2222]

and others spend that money on car tiers after wasting the other tiers drifting... its a hobby so there is no price limit :p

[pjvenner]

Definitely impressive, and I understand the added satisfaction you get from buliding it yourself, but building that would be well out of my league [and most other people's I suspect].

It would be great if someone [maybe you?] could market something like this at a price not exceeding the cost of most people's computers - maybe in kit form with all the techie stuff pre-assembled and using several smaller LCD panels instead whole monitors.

[e0012078]

dude you should have just bought it

[gadgetman92]

So with FSX can you dedicate a second screen to perform the jobs of the dials and instrumentation, sorry i really no hardly anything on what FSX can do.

[icecreamman93]

so are you telling me if im in a money crunch I can just get another display and use a program to display information?

[aircrashinvest]

It would have been cheaper to get a real pilots licence. Exellent creativity and design though.

[Cdaag69]

will u make a vid on how to build it?

[DSB1234567890]

I'm a flight sim enthusiast and real-world student pilot,and I have never seen anything with this degree of funcionality and detail.The custom screens are amazing! If you are looking for a realistic radio stack, check out simkits(dot)com They have all sorts of stuff, like a full bendix king silver line radio stack, very realistic. If I could, I would build one of these, unfortunately I do not have the ridiculous amount of money it takes to buy gauges, nor the expertise to build them myself.

[flightsimulationguru]

Thanks for the comments. I agree that there are some impressive prebuilt radio stacks and other modules out there but yeah the price is quite steep so I'm saving my money instead to put towards real flying... I hope to start taking lessons to fly real planes within the next year and am really looking forward to it.

[countryflyboy]

one hell of an eletric bill

[mlwhistler]

hope you'll be posting about "Keyboard Hacks"..... I actually bookmarked your site...

Are you still developing your stuffs?

Like adding 8 Segment LED, Knobs and other.... to make it more realistic?

[hildre2007]

must be rich.

[flightsimulationguru]

It's certainly a large investment of time and energy but not that much money. 

The only place where I spent a decent amount of money was on the flight yolk, pedals and throttles... however one could easily replace all that with an inexpensive joystick and it would still be quite decent. The cockpit setup itself was built almost entirely with used scrap parts and bits of old computers that were lying around in the attic. I'd estimate that I put it all together for under $100.

[sixSICsix2277]

the problem with that is that not everyone has old computers lying around. That could cost an upwards of $2000, and if you're spending that much, you might as well buy one, unless, as you said, you want to build it yourself just for the thrill.

[mlwhistler]

Hi! these is great youtube and diy tutorials... i visited your site but i can't find the information about the "Keyboard Hacking".. I found a old two AT Keyboard lying on our house... can you post the instruction soon please... thanks..

btw, for all diy homemade cockpit urs ROCKS!!.. you ROCK men! keep up da good work....

[flightsimulationguru]

Sorry for not having updated the site yet with the details for keyboard hacking... I've just been really busy recently. I will try to work on it soon, but in the meantime you can Google for it and there are some other sites that also talk about the general concept.

[mlwhistler]

ok.. I googled about this "Keyboard Hack" but it look like its complicated.. I guess i'll just wait until the update..

Thanks Again..

[fsxpilot77]

Great ! I want to turn a keyboard into a control panel like you. Please tell me how ! I dunno how to do

[nikcht]

thanks for the vid, now i got me a project for the summer ;P

[reeceybaber]

ok thanks alot

[reeceybaber]

very confussing!!! i want to make a panel thats will control my auot pilot nice vid

[flightsimulationguru]

Yeah, I really glossed over some things quite quickly as otherwise the video would have been 30 mins at least. It's certainly possible to make you're own autopilot panel after reading about how to do the 'keyboard hacks'. I'm going to be posting a lot more detailed information in the future about each of the different components so check for more videos or posts on my website.

[gopussycat]

hi, I can't get flaps and spoiler lever on my saitek throtlle quadrant. Do I have to install the SST programing softwere witch camed with my yoke to get thoes levers??

thank you for ripling.