Baron cockpit projects

[towerguy]

just a few shots to show the general progress so far

[ZK-KAG]

HEHEHE With the money spent on the flightsim stuff, you should just buy a real Baron.... You'll get full motion too

[Ian Warren]

Hey idea ... think? to really finish that little display , your V-pilot seat .. I want an old eject-seat , turn it nice and com'fy - would look super with that effort !

[towerguy]

I've got an old car seat to convert - was an article in computer pilot magazine about it -

also - a real baron doesn't have a walk-in ensuite nearby for the really long trips and the Export gold beer fridge just out of picture behind the seat - don't even have to get up- whole new dimension to inflight refuelling!

[Ian Warren]

YOU BLOODY RIPPER ! .. Idea . Multiple/Triple ejector beer can Racks with your new Multi function FS controller ..AMAZING idea ! ( B)

[ZK-KAG]

You make a very valid point towerguy, and man how could I forget such important details!

[towerguy]

am now working on time warp theory ie

I sit down for 2-3 hrs simming and wife thinks only 10mins has passed

that - or FS that runs maxed on existing equipment with no bugs.... naah! more chance with the time warping

[bardos]

And I was thinking you were building this one.....

[Zöltuger]

i'd rather spend the $600,000 on getting one of those flight experience 737 simulators, than build it myself...

[towerguy]

at $600,000 I think they saw him coming a mile off - there is a place in the states where they have a full F18 cockpit with dome over the top and I think the price was about $50,000US - you can walk in off the street and fly for about $35. and the best part is there are 6 of them all linked so you and some buddies get to multiplayer dogfight - all that for half the cost! article was in one of last years computerpilot magazines.

really $600,000 and a reasonably competent group of homebuilders and flightsim enthusiasts could put together something a lot better than what I saw in the reviews! especially some of the expertise in this forum.

[ZK-MAT]

And I was thinking you were building this one.....

Who's doing that?!! Awesome Got link?

[Codge]

Congrats Tower Guy, Good choice of aeroplane, please keep us updated with progress as I'm sure I'm not the only one keen to watch and even be inspired by. Now that I also have the 3 CH Products flight controls I am constantly thinking about committing to one aeroplane. God this sounds so much like another topic doesn't it!.
Because I'm a keen Helo pilot too a generic home cockpit has been used. After spending alot of time looking at other's projects it certainly gives you an idea about what a mammoth undertaking it can be. Just check out Matthew Sheils 747 Sim, that he is half way through his 10 year build and so far spent $300,000 on!
My choice is definately a twin prop job of some sort. I think it'll be one of those full size instruments on CRT monitors to keep the cost down. 3 monitors in front of me and one or more projectors for the scenery.
Did anyone see the morning Breakfast show on TV1 where the Westpac sim was being shown. All they had was what I've just described, but they had a pretty cool looking Cyclic and Collective.
Interesting to note how many professional Sims have no motion involved, and that includes the Mike Pero ones for $600,000NZ yet Matthew in Oz has a full motion and using alot of genuine 747 parts(He is going for 100% authenticity). Of course Mathew is doing a labour of love where as Mike Pero has dollar signs in his eyes.
Motion is a tough one to consider, sure pitching and rolling around is fancy stuff but without the G forces to keep ypu firmly in your seat it will be unrealistic and rather uncomfortable too. However I am considering a simpe pitch only axis using my electric winch off my boat trailer. I f I can somehow rig this to give a realistic sensation of taking off along with my Buttkicker seat shaker this could be fun!
However I feel this is some way away,I want a projector first,preferably one (Or more) I can put together myself, as explained at tomshardware.com for around $300US to give a mid range quality setup for a very good price. I must sign off as homecockpits is something I could ramble about all day! Good onya Tower Guy
Regards Codge.

[Codge]

I forgot to say wouldn't it be the other way around with the time warping, in that you think 10mins has passed and she thinks 2 or 3 hours? If not you are a lucky man indeed to have a wife like that!

[Bandit]

Found this a while ago Joyrider
looks interesting.

Going by the pictures submitted of some of the completed projects some people have really put some effort in.

[ZK-Brock]

So Towerguy, how's the project progressing?

[towerguy]

Come to a bit of a stand still at the moment - financial slowdown and with the school holidays trying to beat 3 teenagers for computer time -

I have been pottering in the garage attempting to make a gear selector and hopefully will have that done shortly but I think I may have to rework the size of the panel as I think it is a bit high - if anyone has measurements or can find a link to somewhere with the sizings I'd be grateful.

also with xmas came FSX and Medieval2-total war so they must be checked out, as well as my sons copy of V8 supercars!

all that plus a wife that hates computers and the fact that I have had to work right through xmas and new year has put a bit of a crimp in "sim time" but I still check the forums just about every day ( broadband at work dial up at home )

have a couple of weeks off coming up at end of Jan so hope to get some more done then - once I have done the 3mile long list of jobs lined up for me

just love that relaxing time off