FSExpand Version 5.2.3 Released

Here we go again!  Now that the jet lag from my return from Japan is receeding a bit, I got to think about the simpit a bit again.

Gert at FSExpand has recently released a new version of the software .  This version moves further from it being targeted solely at GA type and "steam gauge" aircraft.... and adds in some gauges that fit the "heavies" and commercial and business jets.  So it is now right up my alley.

This is software that allows you to run stand alone gauges on separate PC's in the pit.  You can lay out custom panels with a selection of gauges that you configure to fit the panel.  It is sort of like designing panels for "in sim" use.  It is a nice concept.

I created a panel that is about 1/3 the size of a monitor screen to fill in the space to the left of my FreeFD PFD that I use.  See the picture below.... that shows the marker lights above a radar altimiter above a TAT SAT display.  Those gauges are running under FSExpand.  The PFD you see to their right is the FreeFD one.

I shot the picture below after I had disconnected everything.... which is why the altitudes don't match and why the framerate counter on the PFD is at "2".  With BOTH running on my ANCIENT 300 MHz Pentium II MMX machine ....... I get about 30 FPS on the FreeFD PFD display and very good performance out of the FSExpand software too.

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/FSExpand2.jpg

See the "resources" listing at the top of this Forum for the FSExpand website info.  This is payware....but rather reasonable....... particularly when you compare it to Project Magenta  ;) ....which is WAY putside my budget range.

I'll be doing a bit more testing....... but I think I'll be buying this software to fill in the remaining displays in the pit.

best,

.....................john

Simulator Exterior Cleanup

Got a little time today to work on the pit.

I guess I have been watching too many episodes of "Home and Garden TV" or something  ;) ......but I decided that it was finally time to clean up the exterior appearance of the simpit.  While looking pretty good on the inside at this point.... up until now the outside was an ugly unpainted plywood box.  

It sits in my home office next to my computer desk...... so it is really "in the house".  I always intended it to be finished off at a reasonable level.... and NOT have to have the outside look like some sort of simulator with aircraft logos or lights or anything.  The side near my desk will eventually get a white board and a cork board on them.

Two 4'x8' sheets of cheap white mdf 1/8" paneling, a few plastic panel molding strips, one tube of panel adhesive, and a small package of white panel nails..... and poof.... it looks FAR better...... for under $30.  One small top trim piece still to go... and the outside is done.

I am sure that my wife thinks so too.   ;D

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/OutsideCockpit1.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/OutsideCockpit2.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/OutsideCockpit3.jpg


best,

.......................john

Looks great!  Do you have any overall shots of the cockpit kinda like what you see with fisheye on Anet (only not fisheye lol)?

YEAH!!!!!!!!

That is looking awesome john!!!

Ah yes, the "closet" approach... not having a wife, I'm going to make mine the objet d'art it deserves to be. I might even mount a rotating beacon on it.  ;) ;D

But yours looks good- I like the idea of having what appears to be a closet, with a big surprise inside!!! ;D

So tell me... how are you ventilating that?

John, You may want to raise your homeowner "contents" now!  ;D

wrote on Sep 25^th, 2006 at 5:21pm:

I might even mount a rotating beacon on it. So tell me... how are you ventilating that?

rottydaddy,

Burried in all the other posts on my pit I mention that at the top of the structure.... over the door,  aiming upward at the white ceiling is a flashing red high intensity LED..... that is wired to the "beacon" lights switch on the overhead.  When the engines are on........ the beacon is on....and the pit indicates that "danger" to those "outside the aircraft".   ;D

As to your second question...... fans my good man... fans.  I even have two real Boeing air circulators with the little directional nozzles and integrated swithces when you rotate them (EBay --$10). The fans 12VDC power supply is tied to the "recirc" cabin air switches on the overhead panel........ and if the "packs" are not on first ....there is no power to run them... and if the engines or APU are not on.... you can't start the packs.... and so on.  Trying to get as much realism built in there as possible.

It does take a checklist sometimes to get it up an running  ;D.

best,

....................john

wrote on Sep 27^th, 2006 at 7:57am:

John, You may want to raise your homeowner "contents" now!  ;D

Good point Dave...... seriously.  Thanks.

wrote on Sep 22^nd, 2006 at 8:41pm:

Do you have any overall shots of the cockpit kinda like what you see with fisheye on Anet (only not fisheye lol)?

Jake,

Not yet...... it is not completed enough for those kind of "final" shots.  But when it is...... I'll get some up here.

best,

...............john

wrote on Sep 28^th, 2006 at 10:48am:

Jake, Not yet...... it is not completed enough for those kind of "final" shots.  But when it is...... I'll get some up here. best, ...............john

Okay, just wondering as we  see little bits and pieces, and it would be cool to see the whole thing.  I can wait ;)

Aircraft Maintenence

Just like in the real world............

A simpit needs periodic checkups and servicing.  Today I did some "inside the MIP" maintenence work on a video switch that decided that the contacts were just a tad dirty.

Not glamorous....... but necessary.

Real switches and other electro-mecahnical components have a life expectancy.  So this will be a constant part of the project.  Adds realism....as a real component goest south when you least expect it.  The video switch caused my ND and backup instruments display to fail "in-flight".   ;D



Doing some more mental planning for the next steps....... more to come.

best,

......................john

Hello

I have been re-directed here from another forum Titla Undock.
Can anyone tell me how to Undock an open panel from one screen to another.  I am not as advanced as some of you guys are, but I have just started to connect more than one screen and would like to put the overhead panel in the overhead screen.  If I hold own the mouse key it will drag but only as far as the primary screen will allow.  I cannot get it into the 2nd screen. I have read somewhere that this can be done by Undocking the panel but the undock cammand is greyed out.  
Any help will be appreciated.

I love your cockpit.  I wish I have the scills to build my own.  For now multi screens will do.

Thanks and Regards

Mike

Mike,

Hi and welcome to the Homebuild Cockpits forum.  Thanks for the kind words about my pit.

I'm gonna copy your question from here and start a new thread with a title the reflects the actual subject.  It should help get replies.  Look at that posting for any replys you might get to the question.

best,

......................john.

Spring Cockpit Work Again

Well it is spring and I will find myself with some time to spend onthe cockpit once again.  It has been a long busy winter...and I have had little time to work on the pit.  

At the beginning of this thread I talked about the FSXpand panel software (payware).  Well ... I just purchased it today.  Depending on where Gert goes with the "Glass" instruments like the ND and PFD....... this might be completely replacing FreeFD in my pit eventually.  For now it mainly will be the engine information screens.... since the only FreeFD ones are a bit problematic to get to run fast (bug?).

I'll post more info on my experiences with FSExpand and other things in coming threads.

best,

.....................john

On to Part 29.

Very cool.  Nice to see you are prepared with the Fire extinguisher.