homemade cockpit

[flightnse]

Hi all I am looking into making a homemade cockpit but i dont know where to get started. Can someone give me some information on how to make one. I am thinking of doing a Beech 1900D If that helps.

[Daniel]

QUOTE (flightnse @ Nov 18 2008, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi all I am looking into making a homemade cockpit but i dont know where to get started. Can someone give me some information on how to make one. I am thinking of doing a Beech 1900D If that helps.

To start with, if your really serious, you'll need quite a bit of money.
Sim parts don't come cheap, so thats one of the main issues.
There are some aircraft that are easier to do than others, like for the 737 NG, you can buy virtually every part you need off just a few sites.
You might want to check out a thread on NZFF about this, Sim Building Thread
or this site, Flight Sim Building
If your wondering about doing a Beech 1900, you could use gauges off a site like this (although they are for the King Air) Flight Illusion
Anyway, hope all this helps and good luck if you do something

[Kelburn]

Cool idea!
B1900d is a nice one to choose (not everyone's doing it unlike the 737). I'd do the 737-300 personally but don't have nearly enough cash.

If you look at 1900d cockpit photo's you'll see that the main gauges are computerised.
http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6114446

Basically for that you could use a small computer screen and put these gauges up behind it:
http://www.reality-xp.com/flightsim/jl2/index.html (very close to the real thing)

Other than that you could use King Air Gauges as they are very similar.

[flightnse]

Thanks alot guys, Do you have any information on how to make the dash for the 1900D?

[Kelburn]

With stuff like that I'd try and find drawings and look at what people have done for other cockpits and mod that to fit you.

You may need to search to find accurate measurements (you could try emailing Rayethon or Beechcraft with your purpose and ask if they could supply any scale diagrams of the cockpit...)

[ronwestnz]

I am looking at building one of these too, so far havent found any written dimensions, but did find one of these Beech 1900D 1:1 Scale Cockpit Poster Is a little pricey at 350 USD but would give an accurate layout of the cockpit.


This guy has built a 1900 cockpit using the flight illusion gauges, gives you idea of mock up to start with. More Here

Best idea is to start small and work up as you get madder ( )

Myself i am working to get the gauges i have to use the mouse for, heading indicator to start with. The glass cockpit is easy enough to setup.

[ronwestnz]

found this link hereRon Duckworths B200 Cockpit plans And more here flight deck solutions tutorials

Thaye are for a b200/ka350 he has built, pretty much the same layout as a b1900. has photos and dimensions of his cockpit

[SeanG]

Welcome to the mad mad world of cockpit building

A good friend of mine is building a Super Kingair 200 here in Christchurch and has drawn everything in CAD and had most of the components laser cut from MDF locally. He would most likely be able to help you out with some common parts. [Some Photos]

And contrary to what most will say about home cockpits; you don't need a huge wad of cash to build one. Some of the coolest 'pits I have seen have been built on tight, or even non-existant budgets. If you are prepared to make stuff, rather than buy off the shelf then anything is possible. For my own projectthere is basically nothing available as off-the-shelf components, so I have been forced to do it myself, and I think that is actually part of the fun

Panel drawings and the like are not too hard to develop, so long as you can get some good photos (like those from airliners.net for example) plus a few accurate dimensions you are on your way! And I am sure someone on the list would be able to help you out with some dimensions <hint hint guys...>

Good Luck and have fun

SeanG

[Daniel]

Here are mesurements for the ATR cockpit if you were interested... http://atr72.esimat.es/
Have you made a start on anything yet? Keep us informed on how you go anyway Good Luck.