Cockpit Construction Continued (Part 8)

[JBaymore]

More Instrument Panel Facings

Here are some more control panel face plates for the simpit I'm building ...... as are also documented in the "Cockpit Construction Continued (Part 5) thread.

[JBaymore]

Here's what one of the completed instrument panels for the simpit looks like when it is finished:

The background image that I created a while ago was in the thread "Cockpit Construction Continued (Part 5)".

The switches here are all illuminated 12V dc and supply real dc to the noted lights.

This will be mounted to the background panel with large head hex screws at the four corners.

best,

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

[SilverFox441]

Nice looking switch panel.

About the Flight Deck door...

Couldn't you tie the green and yellow LED's to an aircraft condition (like airborne) and have it work on the AUTO mode that way? They would still work based on manual swicth position of course.

A little creative electronics and you could have the red LED blink if the aircraft was airborne and the switch was not in the LOCK or AUTO position.

[Fly2e]

John, you're a real nut!

[alrot]

that is getting shape,beutifull swich panel jonh

[JBaymore]

Center Pedestal Layout Taking Shape

I am getting more of the center pedestal instrument panel facings done..... and can really start to see what the center pedestal is going to look like now.

On the left of the throttle in the "bay" next to the pilot seat are two of the eventual four real Goflight 166 radios and also a RP-8 switch module.

[SilverFox441]

That'll work, "AND" the UNLOCK and the Gear Handle together...output goes to the red flasher LED.

[chuckcrc]

Hi John
great work on those panels. They're a real professional job and finish. I think that doing the face panels first is the way to go because you can see how everything fits together and you can use them as a template to drill the metal work for the contol/switches .

I did mine the other way around and I now having a bit of a struggle to get the graphics to look good. I've ended up using Lettraset which is hard to apply and get straight. Your method is the way to go. Did that graphics software cost much?

cheers
chuck

[JBaymore]

chuck,

Thanks for the kind words.

The program I am using for the panles is called Serif Draw Plus.  It came as part of the Serif Publishing Suite..... with the main program being a Pagemaker clone called PagePlus.  It also has PhotoPlus and some other stuff.   They all will output many broadly compatible file formats... including pdf files.  

The draw program is VERY easy to use.  The panel facings are a real snap to make.  I have "blanks" stored so I just open the basic size I need... and add lettering and lines.

And for some "test" ones, I will output the program to a pdf file on a CD...... and than take them to a place called "Fastsigns" (chain type sign operation) that will output them in black adhesive vinyl..... with the "white" areas cut out (reverse).  Put that on a milky white plastic substrate.... and you have the makings of a backlit panel with a few leds behind it.  They charge by the sq ft of vinyl... and it'll work out to less than $7.00 per panel.  Expensive...... but cheaper than other backlighting options.

The whole Serif Publishing suite only cost me something like $60.  I've been using the Serif products for YEARS and YEARS....I started with version 1.  I think this one is version 7.  Do a web search for them.

best,

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

[Fly2e]

And Dave...... I take your statement as a total compliment.  

That was my intent!  ;D  

Dave

[JBaymore]

Wiring Of Cockpit Lights Panel

I got to doing the 12V DC wiring for the the cockpit lights panel which was described above in the thread tonight.