Home Cockpit Design: Replication or Stylization

[Xyn_Air]

I had wanted to wait some time before posting about my ideas and plans for a home-built virtual cockpit so that I could have one single, coherent, progressive thread that started with a great deal of information.  But, before I got that far, I had a question come to mind while drafting the design for my virtual cockpit, a question that probably is best answered by the user of said cockpit (me), but something that I still wanted to get input on.

The question is, do you feel it is of extreme importance to model a virtual cockpit after a specific aircraft, or is it equally "valid" to create a unique virtual cockpit that takes into consideration aircraft cockpits in general but is of no specific design?

I had been going on the idea of a completely custom cockpit that took several aircraft cockpit designs into consideration, but was still unique and original in design.  Mainly, this came about because I wanted a virtual cockpit that replicated the cockpit of a larger passenger airliner (737's and 747's come to mind), but that would actually fit within my space constraints.  I mean, yes, I would love a full-scale 737 or 747 cockpit, but, no, I do not have the room.

I think the obvious answer is, go with what makes me happy.  And, I am certain I will.  But, I don't want to go to fair afield in terms of design.  While I feel comfortable in designing a virtual cockpit that fits within my constraints, I don't want something that no longer has any relation to aircraft control.

Perhaps what goes along with this would be, what space should I be aware of?  I know there are lots of different ways to make a control panel, all the way from the decorative to the functional.  I think initially I will have to start with something decorative (toys are expensive, doncha know!) but that could be easily converted to functional as such things as monitors and requisit software is aquired.  This may actually add some clarity to my question:

When designing a virtual cokpit, other than space for the computer and a seat, what other pieces or hardware, gauges, monitors, and peripherals do I want to be mindful of when planing for overall dimensions and layout?

Phew.  I hope that makes sense to someone.  And I guess I asked a couple of questions.  Heh.  :-[

[JBaymore]

Xyn,

Great questions.

[beaky]

"Whatever makes me happy" is the key phrase... researching others' projects is useful, but in the end, it's up to you what you should do.

For what it's worth:
I went generic because I fly widely different aircraft, mocked up a great deal of it in cardboard (no, really- it works very well; just don't cut yourself), and didn't go decorative at all with the panels, choosing instead to design with upgrades in mind.

See my simpit thread here: it will probably give you some ideas on what to do and what not to do...


JB's design, I think, is a very workable compromise... he's got a lot of realistic function in there without moving the nose of an airliner into his house.

[Xyn_Air]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas and comments.

And JB . . . kokkupitto wa sugoi!!! JB-sempai wo urayamashiku omou!!!

Fortunately, I have about a year or so to draft out different ideas.  I won't start actual construction until I return home from Japan (although the idea of carting home a virtual cockpit on a real flight is kind of amusing).  Anyway, this is where I am at so far with ideas and such:

1) I am going to study the layout for both 737's and 747's for general layout and style ideas.  Though it is not feasible for me to replicate either (totemo muri!), I figure I can use certain design elements to replicate the feel of a airliner.  Though I like flying all sorts of aircraft, including smaller, single-prop aircraft, everytime I have been in a large aircraft's cockpit it gives me goosebumps.

2) I am going design functional space around the control setup I would like to eventually have.  Mostly, I will be planning around two computers, three monitors, and various controls offered up by CH Products.  I had debated the idea of going for either a one person or two person cockpit, and decided to go with a one person setup.  I may change my mind later, and if I do, it would mean one more "backup" monitor for the co-pilot position.

3) The whole set up has to be self-contained and somewhat weatherproof.  My partner has no problem with me building a virtual cockpit, but unless we magically get a bigger place, it has to go outside.  On the one hand, this just adds to the cost and time for construction.  On the other hand, I could makes something that does actually resemble an actual aircraft and it would be a great place to escape to when the kids are bouncing off the walls.  One big challenge is making a somewhat modular arrangement for the electronics.  I am not sure I just want to leave everything outside all the time, regardless of how weatherproof the VC is.  On the other hand, I don't want to spend half the day just setting everything up and tearing it back down.

I have started drafting the overall layout and design.  When I have the plan more complete, I will of course post it for your critical review.  But, nobody hold your breath for something to be tossed out immediately.  I am going slow, partly because I intend to be patient and partly because real life keeps interrupting my virtual life!  ;D

And of course, I have been reading your own VC journals and looking at the pictures . . . certainly high standards for me to follow!  Wow, is all I can say.

[gokhotit]

Needs to be weatherproof?  hmmm...sounds like you need to order a shed or a shipping container that came off of a cargo ship.

The beauty of this hobby is that you can have whatever you can imagine (and afford). Ranging from top end stuff Like what JBarymore has to what I got.  I aint got much, but it is all me, from initial design to what it is now.  IT is not something some engineer in a lab thought up.  That is the beauty of Simming, create a space shuttle cockpit but fly the Wright Flyer from it.

[BuggsK100RS]

I think the Smallist standared size shiping container that you can get is about 8" x 10" x 8"

all shiping containers are 8" wide and 8" high.

The standred lenghts that thay are avalble in are :-
10 foot
20 foot
30 foot

The bigist problem you will have with this is that is that the 10" containers are the Most sort after and thus have the Highest price tag.

There is also the problem that if you get a container i might not be weather proof and could require quite a bit of welding to get  all the holes sorted.  Shiping containeres cover a huge distance during there lives and take some terrable abuse from the weather during transit, rough handerling at ports and also the cargo with in them any thing from food stuff to toxic chemmicals to Exploseves.

Containers in normal used condition of the 20 and 30 foot lenths will sell for about

[BuggsK100RS]

Just thought of something tho if you get to an Air craft Scrap yard (Junk Yard / Bone yard) you might be able to get a full Nose including the Pit to go in a 10" container.  Now that would be the ultamate Elite Simpit

[beaky]

Whatever you do to make it weatherproof, be damn sure you use weatherproof components for providing power to this thing...  :o