I really want to make a panel!!!

[N4733D]

Anyone want/need a panel for anything? I can get all the pics and everything, just give me an idea I reallllllllly want to make a panel and I have already made them for all my planes!

[WebbPA]

I'd like to see a panel for a F-22 Raptor.  From the real pictures I've seen I don't know how the pilot can see out the windshield.

[stevewilson]

I'd like to see the F14 tomcat panel with a radar screen, one that you can select and track AI traffic with.

Steve

[N4733D]

The F-14 thing is easy. I'll do it tonight. I will try and get the F-22 done, also, it can be tricky to find stuff on top secret planes though. Oh well I'll finish 'em asap and upload 'em exclusively here of course.

[N4733D]

Ok a demo of the F-14 Panel. This is a real rough draft. I just wanted to see if you liked the placement of the main gauges or not. I can make any changes you wish. I'll be back to working on it as soon as I post this.



Criticism from all encouraged! (No this is not my best panel I know)

[WebbPA]

Since you encouraged criticism ...

I'd suggest you make a PFD the primary visible gauge (in the same position as the TCAS) and make the TCAS a popup that could be switched off and on.  You're not going to be using the TCAS all of the time and you will miss flight data (like when you're about to land) if you can't access a PFD.

Here are a couple of shots of an F-22 cockpit.
http://engineering.wpafb.af.mil/embedded/embedded.asp
http://mpanel.chez.tiscali.fr/cockpit/cockpit1.htm

The second page has nice shots of an SR-71 and a B-52, too.  This should illustrate the problem of the pilot view.  With 4 or 5 MFDs it's going to be tough to get everything in the panel.  If I could get a decent background I'd be tempted to try this one myself.

[N4733D]

Hmm that is a big view prob huh? Well their are are two options. A) The panel can't be like that, you could never see the runway. B) You can do pop-up panels with the others on top of the main ones. Or, C) You can just re-arrange the panels so it all fits. I can try to make one like that, but like everyone said, visibility sucks.

And thanks for the criticism and the sites. Both help.

[stevewilson]

Hi Saratoga:  I'm the one that mentioned the F14 with radar, the placement was ok with me, however thought might be to be able to cycle it with the other displys. Just a thought. Not sure what screen you have to the left of the radar.

The only other thing I might add is that some of us are using the addons for carrier op's, ie tail hook, cat arm switchs are to the right and left of the hud. with a button in the number 7 postion just above the radar. If I knew how I'd send you a screen shot of the cockpit view.

Anyway I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Thanks Steve.

[N4733D]

The screen to the left was just a little radar I just stuck in to take up space. It won't be there when I release it. Looking at movies/photos, I believe a good way to do this will be to make a PFD (Primary Flight Display, which contains heading, altitude, and other basic info, including an attitude indicatior) in the center, with the radar being a pop-up window which will fit over the PFD screen. That would make it look better. As for the gauges for cat arming and tailhook, I would have to look for some. I don't know how to make a gauge for add-ons.

[WebbPA]

I was going to mention the wearad.gau on the left but I wasn't sure that was what you were using.  The library has new panels for the F-14 and F/A-18 that have the carrierops gauge (rcbco-11) built in.

There is a link to the file and the FS2002 fix here http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/ ... 1076960469

[stevewilson]

I'm sorry Saratoga if I miss led you about the switches for use on the carrier. I already have them for the F14 F/A 18, What I was trying to say was if you had to put some gauges in just be aware of these, thats all. By the way a F/A 18 with radar would be nice. . As for the wearad.gau, I must admit that I had not seen one befor. I'm fairly new to FS and loving it. Making a PFD might be the way to go, Maybe then I could activate it with a joy stick button. theres a thought. So long as it isn't the "L or I " keys to many things use them already. Maybe the switch that activated the concorde nose. :-/

[WebbPA]

I usually toggle the PFD/TCAS with icons - no need for a special key - or you could open the popup window with Shift+ number key (whatever window number is assigned to it).

The wearad.gau weather radar gauge is a waste of space.  It simply simulates a weather radar gauge and doesn't display any real data.

[N4733D]

Yes it would be nice if the gauge actually showed REAL weather. F/A-18 is next on list.

[WebbPA]

I thought we were working on the F-22?  Can't you accept a challenge?  I'll be glad to work on it with you.

[N4733D]

No no no mate, the F-22 is most definetly next, then the F/A-18. That's why there is a list! lol. You are most welcome to work with me on it if you would like.