Custom helicopter collective using Saitek throttle

[delta9857]

Hi everyone, over the last couple of days I've been putting together a helicopter collective using the throttle that comes with the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System. It is set up so that the collective hinges around the centreline of the throttle with a simple connection between the two (see pictures). I have also added two adjustable 'stops' to limit the collective's range of motion so that I don't have to move it 90 degrees from full to idle. The friction is controlled by using a 10mm Nylock nut between the collective and the throttle. Just about everything is made from steel so it feels pretty solid.

The next step will be to add some switches and buttons to the top of the collective for things like the starter, landing lights etc.

[Ian Warren]

Crikey Oli .. your not joking when you said solid , pleased Sean had an answer for the travel , now you have your collective are you going to setup rotor RPM twist grip ?

[delta9857]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jan 16 2013,5:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Crikey Oli .. your not joking when you said solid , pleased Sean had an answer for the travel , now you have your collective are you going to setup rotor RPM twist grip ?

Hi Ian, I am thinking about inserting a full length threaded rod into the collective with a twist grip at one end, and a linkage at the other end to one of the other two throttles via a flexible cable.

[Ian Warren]

AH AH ! a plan so cunning you can pin a cable to it and call it .... A bloody great idea !

[SeanG]

QUOTE (delta9857 @ Jan 16 2013,6:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Ian, I am thinking about inserting a full length threaded rod into the collective with a twist grip at one end, and a linkage at the other end to one of the other two throttles via a flexible cable.

How about pulling the Saitek throttle apart and extending the cables on one of the pots... that way you could mount it on the end of the collective. Much easier than a mechanical solution

Oh, and since you are mad keen on building sim cockpit bits... you need: http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/ or one of his other controllers. You could use one of these for all of your controls, plus 32 switches or buttons. I use the cheaper controllers, which need more wiring to make them work (the "X" version has easy plug-in connectors) and love them. Leo is now doing a simple button input device as well, which is compatible with his funky new rotary switch controllers... I have one of each coming to see how good they are.

Your collective looks awesome, and strong! What are you going to do for Cyclic and Pedals?

SeanG

[delta9857]

QUOTE (SeanG @ Jan 18 2013,9:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How about pulling the Saitek throttle apart and extending the cables on one of the pots... that way you could mount it on the end of the collective. Much easier than a mechanical solution

Oh, and since you are mad keen on building sim cockpit bits... you need: http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/ or one of his other controllers. You could use one of these for all of your controls, plus 32 switches or buttons. I use the cheaper controllers, which need more wiring to make them work (the "X" version has easy plug-in connectors) and love them. Leo is now doing a simple button input device as well, which is compatible with his funky new rotary switch controllers... I have one of each coming to see how good they are.

Your collective looks awesome, and strong! What are you going to do for Cyclic and Pedals?

SeanG

Hi Sean

That's an interesting idea you've got there, I hadn't thought about that... I'll have a look inside the throttle and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the link, I'll definitely check it out as it looks like it will make my life a whole lot easier! As for the cyclic and pedals, I'm currently using the pedals of a Logitech G940 and they do just fine for now (however I am looking into getting some Saitek Combat Rudder Pedals); and I think I'll just end up building an extension for my HOTAS Warthog's joystick to use as my cyclic.

[Dean]

Interesting solution to a common problem Good thinking!

[NZ255]

How's this going Oli? Any progress?