Servos to operate aircaft controls?

[hsvfan]

Hi all
I am looking at different options to connect the cyclic, collective and pedals in my helicopter cockpit to the computer via usb.
Is it possible to use servos form say model aircraft but heavy duty ones and if so what usb board would be recommend.

Thanks

Rhys

[expat]

I have come back to your post a few times, but was not really sure what it is you want to do. If I understand correctly, you want to use the servos as an input device by connecting your controls to them. Servos are not an input device but and output. Even a heavy duty servo you will strip the gearbox if you try to run the servo manually. This idea is really a non starter. Also the resistance that you have to overcome when manually turning a servo is more than you will want in your controls. You would be far better of buying cheap USB joystick and removing the innards and "transplanting" them into you controls. It would probably be cheaper to. A heavy duty servo (if the idea would work and I doubt it) will run at about

[hsvfan]

Thanks mate figured that was the case.

I am looking at the best options to connect the control rods on my helicopter cockpit to the computer usb port.
My cockpit has a total of 5 control rods

-2 rods control the cyclic, 1 for forward/back movement and 1 for left and right movement these two rods are in between the pilots/copilots seat in a horizontal position

-2 rods for the pedals under the cockpit floor

-1 rod in a vertical position for the collective

I am looking at what would be the best option to get the controls to interface with the computer

Cheers

Rhys

[beaky]

You need to use the rods to rotate some potentiometers, or "pots"... and that variation in voltage produced by the pots needs to be interpreted by some device that translates it into data that your computer can use via USB.

Simplest thing is to tear apart a joystick, but there are also controllers to which you can connect pots and switches (Hagstrom, etc.).

Mechanically speaking, it's not complicated, really. You may need to create some more complicated linkages, but it's do-able.

I've seen details of a home-built heli simpit, but can't recall the site.
I'm sure a Google search will get you more info- definitely do an Image search on that phrase; i've found that to be the best way to find a good picture or diagram of a mechanism.

[hsvfan]

Thanks dude

Have Done some looking and found slider potentionmeters that could do the trick  along with leo Bodnar's BU0836X  Universal Joystick Controller.

Rhys  

[HarvesteR]

If you manage to get a hold of Leo's USB controller, please let me know, i've been trying to get one of those myself, but he never replied to my e-mails