I had decided that I should build a seat first, so that everything flows ergonomically around me sitting comfortably. Then I remembered that there was an old Saab seat in storage in back: I called the owner (ex-roomie Stevie Z. ) and got the nod to take it. Yoink!! Next thing you know, I'm slashing up cardboard and going nuts.
So much easier to plan everything with a 3-D model at hand: soon I had a rough layout.
This is not intended to simulate any particular aircraft- it's just a generic controller-station set up for flying my typical mounts (DC-3; Cessnas, etc.). I'm planning to put a small VGA LCD in the center later to display the "6-pack" and maybe other views (GPS?), but for now I'll just use the VC instruments as before. Phase 3 will see me installing proper active instruments in the same location.
On top will be a 20.1" LCD; later maybe two smaller ones on either side, or I may go with a projector.
Everything else is mostly switches to eliminate the keyboard for everything except entering text, and to minimize mousing around.
I will have to build a joystick and throttle quadrant- I've got a few controllers to hack for that , for Phase 1. I'm planning to upgrade to a more custom USB control setup later.
Rudder pedals are my old set that I made; finally figured out a simple way to make them self-centering... more on that later.
Well, my pit was looking pretty good so far... as I sat down to sketch and figure dimensions for fabbing it all out of plywood, I started thinking "enclosure". Hmmmm... that'll be pricey and time-consuming to make out of wood... what do I have laying around...?
Light bulb time: there's an old aluminum truck cap that was left by another ex-resident, who'd told me he didn't want it anymore.
But is the skin welded onto the frame?
No! Just some screws and a few pop rivets. Stripped that bad boy in no time, already getting ideas from the shape of the frame.
This rack will come in handy for bits and pieces- I won't be welding this stuff, but will probably go with pop-riveted gussets where needed, which will get that cool vintage look I want.
The main sheet: 75" x60" of nice corrugated aluminum. I'll just put the raw side outside....
Coupla hours of easy work, and I've managed to take the pit concept to the next level without spending a dime (so far) Sweet!!
I'm still working on a proper sketch of the concept, but here's my main inspiration, the general exterior look I'm going for. The shape will be quite different...
Next: part 2- mockup re-do
Intel i7 960 quad 3.2G LGA 1366, Asus P6X58D Premium, 750W Corsair, 6 gig 1600 DDR3, Spinpoint 1TB 720
