I've started planning of my own simpit!

The idea for now is for very heavy modularity...I want to be able to change configurations between my basic flying styles and have something close (not full realism, but aiding in "suspension of disbelief").

I have a basic layout worked out and am starting the early phases of specific design.

At present I have worked out the mechanics of configuration changes allowing the following:

• Modern Fighters
• Classic Fighters (early jets, props)
• General Aviation
• Helos
• Commercial
• Business Jets

I'm hoping that my 15-odd years as an Instrument/Electrical Technician in the Canadian Armed Forces give me some advantages and help to avoid a few pitfalls. My hobby of model ship building should also offer a few advantages...you learn a lot of practical engineering.

Physical design is for only a semi enclosure (no overhead) and for dimensions to fit within the constraints of the average apartment dweller (like me). The simpit shell will also be designed to break down to allow for moving...no "boat in the basement" here. I'm also designing the enclosure to be expandable...overhead panels can be added or even two modules mounted side-by-side with a centre console to provide for a larger (multi man) crew station.

Updates will be provided at major development points. If my hopes are succesful there will be a set of plans offered, with complete wiring diagrams. Cost will be minimal...priced to allow me to recoup shipping and reproduction costs only. If my webspace allows then a free dowload for those wanting to reproduce them locally will probably be available...maybe even offered through a site like SimV.  

Development will be slow...the budget doesn't allow a whole lot of expenditures all at once (who's does?)...but I can build many of the panels myself without problem...after all, that's what I made a living at.

Wish me luck.

Interesting approach; good luck!!! And show us your work; I'd like to see this develop.

Thanks for the encouragement all!

To give you a basic idea of what I've got planned I've whipped up a basic image:



Named components are fixed, no variation between different configs.

A,B,C and D locations are bays for switches/controls.

Bays A and B will mostly be for "real controls", things like power monitoring, fans and lighting. The bottom of these two bays will include interchangeable components, allowing for switchology like Arresting Hook control, Landing Gear Handle and a Weapons Panel...maybe even a throttle module for GA types.

Bays C and D are the main areas where the various GoFlight control heads will be installed.

The real variation comes in the numbered areas.

#1 is a socket allowing for a support for either a yoke or a shorter support for a joystick to be mounted.

#2 is a well allowing for the fitting of a control bay (GoFlight stuff), a collective or a sidestick throttle.

#3 is another well, this allows for the installation of a Sidestick Joystick, a control bay or a multi-axis throttle.

Configs would work like so:

Modern Fighter (sidestick)

• 1-Blanking Plate
• 2-Throttle
• 3-Sidestick

Modern Fighter (center joystick)

• 1-Joystick pedestal
• 2-Throttle
• 3-Blanking plate

Classic Fighter
Same as a Modern Fighter with a centre joystick

General Aviation

• 1-Yoke pedestal
• 2-Blanking plate
• 3-Blanking plate

Commercial

• 1-Yoke pedestal
• 2-Blanking plate
• 3-Multi-axis Throttle

Helicopter

• 1-Joystick pedestal
• 2-Collective
• 3-Blanking plate

The Instrument monitor will be covered by an overlay like John is using...except I'm going to mount mine magnetically to allow making spares in differing configs...Either VDU's or steam guage patterns will be available. That will allow for different instrument software to be loaded to suit the aircraft type.

The left and right sidepanels are detachable, both using removeable pin hinges so they can swing open as doors. Remove one side panel and a centre console can be mated in place...which can then be mated to another simpit on the other side, share the fun.

Remove all the hinge pins and pull the display module off the base and it breaks down into 4 major components, each of easily handled weight and dimension.

The real decision maker was the GoFlight keymapper software...that means that I can use the same simpit for almost any sim, even something weird like MechWarrior 4.

Thoughts?

You're right...magnets probably would be a bad idea unless I'm using LCD monitors...and that won't happen due to the BBRs (Bank Balance Restrictions).

I'll have to re-think the overlay mounting technique...it had all seemed so clear. There's a variety of things I could use instead...I'll just have to see what fits the concept best...might be as simple as velcro!

Silverfox,

I think that the level of magnetic flux that the SMALL  magnets that would mount the panels would provide likely would not be enough to cause problems with VDT's.  Take one of them and hold it in proximity to the monitor at the distance that it's be mounted..... and see if any visual discoloration or distortion happens.

Actually... you can sometimes get problems from two MONITORS sitting close to each other....... they put out a lot of mag flux.  A sheet of grounded metal between them typically fixes this issue.

Another way to afix the panels is with heavy duty velcro.

best,

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