Question for JBaymore or...

[Flying Trucker]

Question for you John or anyone else who is in the know about HomeBuild Cockpits.

First of all the reason for the question is several sons (different provinces of the country) are building motion simulators to simulate:
-1,2,3,4 radial engines
-gas turbine
-jet

One is using a Vickers Cockpit, not sure which one and the other has a Douglas Cockpit.

I myself want some sort of motion but now in a Condo I only have a third bedroom dedicated to my hobby which is the game FSX.

I am a neat orderly person...no kidding...everything has a spot and place...

My computer cords/wires are neat and orderly at the rear of the unit.

Now my question which is more to pass on information to my sons and grandsons as my unit does not have a motion platform or enclosed cockpit yet.

How does a simulator such as yours and I am not sure if it has motion but how does it affect your Home Insurance?

The many wires, cords, computer units which generate heat, there must be some insurance rules which govern these things in one's home.

I would expect the amount of money and time you and everyone else who builds these units would want to have the unit insured under the Home Insurance Policy.

I am sure there would be Fire Department Regulations as well which probably would include the proper Fire Extinguisher being available...etc.

My sons will probably build theirs down in the hangars in a divided area from their aircraft or in their outbuildings, not likely they could fit it into their homes without a stone wall being demolished... ...that ain't gonna happen...

Now when we lived on the old homestead the boat house, hangar and out buildings were insured separately from our home but still in the one package.

I do believe our computers were insured separately from the rest of our contents as they kept getting more expensive and upgraded each year.

Our Insurance Agent would come around about every second year to take pictures and itemize things.

Myself, well once this kit arrives from Florida, it has only been since March 29th, I will then reinstall FSX.

I will then consider some sort of motion but I think I should contact our insurance company with regards to this condo as I am almost sure there will be some sort of regulations...

Thoughts on this would be most appreciated...

[Mike..]

While I have no intel on the matter I just had to comment that I got a good laugh when you asked about insurance . I've seen alot of pics of some of these homebuilds and the images behind the scenes on some of these monsters and not once ever thought about the insurance side of it or if it's even covered which in turn gave me the chuckle. One day if I keep this house,with the garage completely gutted now I probly would have the room for a Cessna 172 front end and perhapse just enough room for up/down left right albeit tight im sure. I can see me inviting my agent over for a test flight and discussing insuring it to the home whilst over The Shanendoa Valley


Mike

[Flying Trucker]

Thanks Mike...

Hope you insured those new decks you just spent a lot of time building...

[Mike..]

Gotta put a call in to those guys this week


Mike

[JBaymore]

Flying trucker,

I have the electronics value insured under the homeowners... but not itemized out as a "simpit".  Simply the value of the various components/computers.  The stuff I have built with my own hands (shell etc.).... not really insured at all.

I have an active real fire alarm syetem built into the pit itself.  Smoke detectors with alarms power supplies, and battery backups installed in a few locations.  They actually are wired to the overhead with monitor indicators, active test switches, and such  .  A "real" aspect in the simulator.  I also have real (manual) fire extinguishers in there. 

(Toyed with an automatic halon extinguisher system tied to the real detectors ..... based on some available race car stuff...... but too costly and actually a bit dangerous in an enclosed space for the "pilot".  And if it ever misfired.... a lot of hardware probably "killed".

In a condo setting I'd be concerned about noise / vibration from a full motion setup getting into other people's condos... and then them raising a stink with the condo owner's association.  THAT one I'd check carefully and openly about what is intended first, personally.

best,

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

[Flying Trucker]

Thanks John...much appreciated.

These condos are sound proof but poured concrete which does carry vibrations.

It would probably give the other old folks something to talk about if they felt a few vibrations once in awhile...

Sounds as if you have everything in order John...just as I thought you would...