Dual Controls Recommendation

[RitterKreuz]

I had an idea for dual controls using a single USB yoke.

I dont have any drawings so bear with my description of the system.

Imagine a home built panel with a control yoke on the left and the right.

from each control yoke, there is a control column which extends horizontally into the panel - just like in a cessna.

these control columns continue to extend past and behind the panel about 15 inches.

on the end of each control yoke column - behind the panel - there is a bycicle chain style gear.

now, mounted behind the panel, between the two yokes is a USB style yoke of any given brand name. Remove the yoke from the end of the control column of this USB yoke and replace it with 2 bicycle style gears one mounted ahead of the other on the shaft where the yoke was removed from. call them central gear #1 and #2

then you take bicycle chain from the left yoke column and run it to the central gear #1... then take bicycle chain and run it from the right yoke column to the central chain #2.

not only will both the left and right yokes control the central USB yoke through the chain pulley system, but any inputs you make on one yoke... will cause the other yoke to move as well - just as in a real aircraft.

anyone else thought of this or done this.

pushing and pulling on the yoke would slide the central yoke column fore and aft resulting in pitch control through both yokes.

turning left and right on the yokes would rotate the central yoke column left and right resulting in roll control through both yokes...

all acting on the single USB setup and being realistically interconnected.

[Steve M]

You know what? That is a really good concept, I understand completely. Even if your flying alone the other yoke will be seen moving in tandem without buying expensive parts and software.  Perhaps nylon sprockets or pulleys and something less bulky than bycycle chain. Good idea though. Through out the coming winter I will be shopping for parts to make a Beech twin cockpit. Right now I have my feelers out for a used 22" LCD so I can run dual screen. (One peice at a time)

[JBaymore]

Sounds plausible.  Time for Google Sketchup?

best,

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

[machineman9]

I must admit, I've had this exact concept in my head for a while. Finance, space and a 'not really that bothered' attitude stopped me from ever making it.

I even designed a rudder system which should work in dual controls, and can be moved forwards/backwards like real rudder controls along the floor. And I thought of how to make stick controls work (not just yoke). I've had too much time on my hands.

I'll mock up a 3D design if anyone is ever interested.

[Steve M]

I must admit, I've had this exact concept in my head for a while. Finance, space and a 'not really that bothered' attitude stopped me from ever making it.

I even designed a rudder system which should work in dual controls, and can be moved forwards/backwards like real rudder controls along the floor. And I thought of how to make stick controls work (not just yoke). I've had too much time on my hands.

I'll mock up a 3D design if anyone is ever interested.

I'm interested.. My new thoughts about a mechanical dual yoke, is that since the yoke only protrudes above a desk, how could you hide the mechanical bits?  :-/  (for realism sake) 

[machineman9]

I don't know how you could hide it on a desktop, unless you had a small box covering all the mechanical bits... But if you're wanting the realism of dual controls I'm betting you're willing to build a basic structure around all of it.

I'm working all this weekend, but I will mock up something early next week.

[JBaymore]

[quote].........how could you hide the mechanical bits?

[westside]

I have been wanting duel controls for a while and this morning it went into operation. Building a set of linked controls would be the ultimate set-up but my space is limited to a large desk set up so I went with Two Saitek Pro yokes and Two Saitek pedal units. It started with the pedals and after I figured out how to make two identical pieces of hardware work with FSX I went after the yoke set up.
It was very easy to do and you can assign the buttons and axises independently of each other. I have made them identical as I have done several flights with beginners to super advances pilots( one being a triple7 pilot for Air Canada) and is nice to pass over control and have them respond the same. I just have to attach the yoke to the desk and I think I will fly from the right seat tonight.
Pictures to follow

Mark

[HarvesteR]

This is a very good idea that just might work... very good solution.

pushing and pulling on the yoke would slide the central yoke column fore and aft resulting in pitch control through both yokes.

This part I imagine could have some trouble... I'd expect that there would be a great deal of sag on pushing and pulling a chain laterally...

Bike chains do bend horizontally a little... that's how bikes change gears anyways, so I think pushing your end might feel too loose acting on the spring-loaded yoke on the far end...

maybe a rigid crossbar attached to all three control columns attached in a way that still allows them to rotate (like a ball bearing or something) could work better.

Cheers

[Steve M]

I have a viable idea for unabtrusive dual controls.. I've been studying up on Paint.net drawing. Unfortunately my auto cad is gone in a laptop failure. Maybe I can Sketch it up by hand and scan it, but Ill be working in my trade 7 days a week for the next 3 weeks.. so little time left over,