Would you buy a heli collective/throttle lever?

[Mermaid Man]

My dad has shown interest in building a helicopter collective/throttle lever commercially. How many of you lot would be interested in purchasing one? And any requirements? I think more pro range, metal shaft at the very least. Guess choice of self standing and bolt-on to a flight chair.

[Anxyous]

FSX doesn't have enough helicopter flying for that IMO *shrugs*

[NitroPower]

If you want to fly a helicopter, get a real one.

[Mermaid Man]

If you want to fly a helicopter, get a real one.

And dumb post of the day goes to..

[SilverFox441]

I love flying helo's so something like that would appeal... although I would probably build it myself.

It would need some common switchology on the head and I would want both the throttle and collective functions to work. That isn't yet supported by FSX, but I would want to know that in FSXI (assuming the helo flight model is improved) the hardware was still good.

Floor and seat attachments would be a must.

[BTilson]

One big question no one has asked yet, what price range are you considering for the hardware? I know pro range hardware is generally pricey, but if it's good stuff and isn't too over the top, it'd probably still be worth it.

[Mermaid Man]

First requests for features/build quality..then price. I take it want realistic feel it it, do the real ones have a metal cable which has resistance when pulled/depressed?

[JSpahn]

My view on the "pro-series" hardware, although very nice, is priced outside the mainstream market. Your throttle idea if priced right could sell  OK but a solid "mainstream" offering would appeal to more.

Im actually a bit put off at all the high priced cockpit hardware/software on the market. Im contacted thru my website quite a bit by individuals looking for mainstream hardware and software, so a market does exist.

Now I dont have access to any other statistics like median income or profession of those who visit my site, which means I shooting from the hip. But look into a future offering from saitek which will give the ability to run external gauges from the sim. Or the software from Ellie Systems, Sim Avionics & FSXpand.

Personally Im keeping an eye on things as far as simulator hardware is concerned, in the future I would like to offer some low cost elements. Im waiting to see if the mainstream market catches on.

[machineman9]

If you want to fly a helicopter, get a real one.

[Dave B.]

My dad has shown interest in building a helicopter collective/throttle lever commercially. How many of you lot would be interested in purchasing one? And any requirements? I think more pro range, metal shaft at the very least. Guess choice of self standing and bolt-on to a flight chair.

I joined Simviation to answer this post (and also to garner tips about cockpit building!

[a1]

We are not talking about flying real helicopters here.


I am sure you can find something on eBay that is the real thing and hook it up to some electronic gizmos. I have seem lots of stuff on eBay that would suffice to the requirements.

[Dave B.]

We are not talking about flying real helicopters here.


I am sure you can find something on eBay that is the real thing and hook it up to some electronic gizmos. I have seem lots of stuff on eBay that would suffice to the requirements.

What is the point of your post? I don't see one. "We are not talking about flying real helicopters here" - DUH.

I have been perusing EBay for about five years looking for a suitable real-world collective that can act as a starting point for a simulated collective, and haven't seen anything that is reasonably priced.



I was looking forward to constructive and helpful responses... That wasn't one.

Dave.

[JessJ]

My dad has shown interest in building a helicopter collective/throttle lever commercially. How many of you lot would be interested in purchasing one? And any requirements? I think more pro range, metal shaft at the very least. Guess choice of self standing and bolt-on to a flight chair.

I'm the guy in Canada that is building the collectives for other simulator builders that Dave B is talking about. I stumbled upon this topic when reviewing my web stats and saw a few hits to my website from here, so I thought I would weigh in.

When you talk about "pro range" that is really going to vary. There are collectives being sold for flight simulators upwards to $6000.00 and as low as $300 that could possibly be considered as pro range. If you are going to ask the public if they would buy your product you would have to give a full description of what you are selling and the estimated price at least.

The collectives I build are certainly not meant for everyone, I'd be the first to admit they are expensive. But if you take a close look at what it takes to make one of these the way I make them, you will see the time and number of steps it takes to fabricate one makes the price justifiable. They are not aimed for a "mainstream" market, only for guys who insist on realism for there Dodo Adv 206, which is the only helicopter that I'm aware of that can take advantage of the mechanical idle release. I also make an electric idle release button model which is $125 less. You can tell your dad there is a market (although in the scheme of things, quite small) and should not be afraid to jump in. The point is if you make something others want you will sell some, make it really good and you will sell more. The biggest problem I face right now is keeping up.

By SilverFox411..........It would need some common switchology on the head and I would want both the throttle and collective functions to work. That isn't yet supported by FSX, but I would want to know that in FSXI (assuming the helo flight model is improved) the hardware was still good.

I'm not exactlty sure what you are referring to here, but FSX does support separate throttle and "collective" management as well as switch assignments. The biggest problem with FSX is the "dumbing down" of the helicopter flight dynamics.

[Dave B.]

Jess,

Please don't take my post as criticism of your work - I know that the way you contruct your collectives (e.g. machined aluminum) is not cheap, and the end result looks fabulous. I would love to buy one, but I don't know if I'm going to be able to swing it. Certainly not anytime soon.

BTW looking at your site and a couple others has gotten me very interested in CNC machinery - laser cutters, mills, lathes - and that could end up being a waaay more expensive hobby than simming!!!  ;)
E.g., I'm lusting after an Epilog laser and a 3D printer... big $ to be sure.

best regards,

Dave B.

[SilverFox441]

[quote]
I'm not exactlty sure what you are referring to here, but FSX does support separate throttle and "collective" management as well as switch assignments. The biggest problem with FSX is the "dumbing down" of the helicopter flight dynamics.