At long last we are finally starting progress with developing a flight simulator for our Air Cadet squadron.

One of the newly turned officers has asked me to total up costs for the project to make a bid with the civilian comitee (the bank of the cadets) to get funding for this project... we just need something to build.

Obviously we are trying to make it fairly realistic considering what we have (a weakish computer I am going to try and sort out) and a fairly large screen, about 42" I believe.


I am just looking for advice about what you think should go into it all. The system is probably going to be running FS9 for now - just cause it works for what we need.

What layout do you think would be good? I am hoping to use analog type gauges, but what would be the minimum do you reckon? I think it is going generic, but do you have any layouts that you think would work?

I am just basically looking for good insight. What would you reccomend I use and avoid? Any useful tips?

We will probably have to buy everything aside from computer and screen... so where should we begin? What do you think is definately required to help teach cadets to fly?


Cheers

Well the main aircraft we fly are Grob Tutors, Vigilants and Vikings. I know there is certainly a model for one for FS2000 (converted up to FS9 too)

The rear project system probably isn't going to happen though. I mean, we do have a good screen as it is... but cost is definately the issue. I can discuss it, but I have doubts. I know it would be the better choice, but unless we sold the screen, the chances for funds are probably out of the window unless it is a future aspect.


I will look around on ebay for such cockpit type things. I doubt they would have a tutor or similar cockpit (maybe something similar). If not, then hey... Hand me some wood, a saw and all the rest and add some skill to the project. It would be a nice aspect.


And one further point- how easy is it to link the two controls? I was asked to make it easy to have a cadet and instructor... so for maximum realism the controls would be linked (move one rudder, it moves the other. Move the stick, it moves the other too) but how easy would that be? Would I be okay (and would the hardware let me) use one control over the other? So one stays still whilst the other is in use... then it switches over and the other can take control.

Yeh I don't think I was tired enough when I posted to think for myself.

I drew up a few pictures of how two control sticks (much the same for the rudders) could be linked using a large piece of metal bar and a smaller section.

Build a small platform for the sim to go on, maybe 20cm high or so. Run a tube of metal through it, but about 15cm through on each side it should go much more cuboid shape so it is smooth to rotate at the sides but will provide enough grip and not slip for the control parts by being cuboid.

Bar goes along, connected to the sticks. The bar will only tilt forwards and backwards for the pitch. Add a joint where the stick connects to the bar and you give it pitch and roll. Add a thinner bit of metal a little bit up on a joint between the two controls and you have pitch and roll controls that will link to each other.


Here is a terrible image I drew to help me build my idea on paper:

Clicky

So one bar moves for pitch, one bar moves for roll. There are guiding rails so it stays in the same place and joints so that each control can be used. I just now need to figure out how I can give it life. I presume a controller card would be good, but I don't know where or how the potentionometers would be mounted and go. Okay the pitch one is alright as it can go anywhere (add some teeth and it will pick it up there) but the roll seems to be a bit trickier as it is moving around a lot more.


Is this a wise approach, or are there simpler ways?