My dream pit

[Jakemaster]

Well I had nothing better to do tonight, so I downloaded google sketchup (which I got REALLY good at when I build my desk with it a long time ago) and built my dream simpit.  This is like an hour to 2 hours of just sitting and tweaking with sketchup.  Nothing is to scale (its like 8 feet tall lol) and it's just supposed to be a simple representation of my simple simpit.

The intention is to make it VERY generic so that it feels right for almost anything.  Basically it has 3 LCD's for a PFD, MFD, and EICAS, 3 backup gauges (attitude, airspeed, altimeter or really any combintation) and a clock.  Of course everything can be changed, I might want flaps or something instead of a backup.  I want to put something for an autopilot above the displays, and on the center pedestal I have a throttle quadrant (home built or probably CH products) with a trim wheel.  Below that is a switch panel for lights and other random switches in place of a full overhead (since all I use the overhead for in FS is lights and starters.  Right below that is a mouse pad for a wireless mouse.  For a keyboard my idea is to do like first class tables on an airplane.  For those of you that haven't flown first class, the table is in the armrest and comes up and folds out.  The idea would be to have a table with either a full keyboard or one of those flat foldable ones (the flexible plastic thing) on a table that stows away for when I don't need it or for approach or something so that it's out of the way.  Oh and for the display I'd either use a projector (by the time I build this hopefully they will be better) or triple head 2 go with 3 huge monitors.

Enough talk, here are the previews.  I'm open to suggestions, and FYI this won't be built for at least 4 years (ie till i get my degree and a job).  If you would like I can send the sketchup file to anyone who wants it if you want to use it to make your own pit or to look at/change mine






Jake....can't wait to have his own simpit to play in...

[JSpahn]

Thats an interesting tool for design, Ill have to check that out. Looking good by the way [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[machineman9]

aah, good ol sketchup. i could never get used to using that tool. i use anim8or for my design stuff.

still, a nice design. looks very integratable.

in a few years myself, i might make a proper sim pit. im going in to train as a airline pilot, so be good to have some practise at home too

[Jakemaster]

Well I mainly fly jets (actually, I mainly fly the 737).  With a simpit like this, I can fly any Boeing or Airbus and feel right at home....I know the CH throttle quad can be changed from 2 throttle to 4 throttle, so I can do that and just change between configurations if I fly a 777 and then a 747.  I got the idea for having the 3 screens from pictures of airplanes and John's cockpit.  It's PERFECT for a 777 because a 777 is basically just PFD, MFD, EICAS.  

In my view, there are 2 ways to build a simpit.  One is to completely replicate a real cockpit such as a 737.  As great as that would be for flying a 737, if you ever want to fly something else then you're up a creek.  The other way is to me more generic.  By being generic, you can comfortably fly any plane in a certain category (any commercial jet etc).  If I want to fly a DC-3 with this it would work, but be a little odd.

I had an idea to make it configurable to 2 different PFD displays: one is just the typical Boeing PFD, the other would be a 6 pack and I would make a cutout to place over the screen so that it's just a 6 pack for flying an old prop.  For a modern prop it should be alright with the PFD and MFD because it would be similar to a G1000

[beaky]

Didn't know about that program- thanks for the heads-up.  ;D

I like the basic idea... only suggestion I have is to go with a simple keyboard drawer under the yoke if you can; next time you're flying 1st class have a good look at that tray mechanism. You'll spend more time fabbing (or more money buying) that than you will with most of the rest of your 'pit., most likely.

[Jakemaster]

Didn't know about that program- thanks for the heads-up.  ;D

I like the basic idea... only suggestion I have is to go with a simple keyboard drawer under the yoke if you can; next time you're flying 1st class have a good look at that tray mechanism. You'll spend more time fabbing (or more money buying) that than you will with most of the rest of your 'pit., most likely.

Yea.  I might just leave space on the left and hinge it, no fancy fold or anything, just flip it up.