Home Built Cockpit

[rich1963]

Hello Everyone,

I'm Bored with sitting infront of 1 screen and a joystick. I've decided its time to expand. I'm gonna take on the challenge of building a 737 cockpit.

Now in the last 48 hrs I've read hundreds of pages on the subject. And my conclusion is the prices out there are OUT OF CONTROL! For example: I was looking at an overhead panel from a well known company. Over $1450 JUST for the panels. Then another $780 for the hardware. Then another $540 for the software to make it all work. And thats just for the larger half of the overhead. If I was to go that route my wife would castrate me! Then toss me to the curb. I thought with a 4-5 k budget I'd have an awesome pit. Well I was sadly mistaken.

But I'm NOT gonna let that stop me. I've worked in the construction & automotive industries all my life. I'm very creative and handy with tools. So I'm gonna build it from scratch. I might spring for a THQ. There are a couple VERY nice ones out there. I also found a site called "Open Cockpits" that has the cheapest prices on radios, MCP and the like.

As for the panels I'm gonna attempt to construct them myself. I wanna make them backlit. So that's gonna add to the challenge.

I have found sites on panel construction, rudder pedals, yokes, mcp's and even one showing how to make a FMC using an old PS1 LCD.

Now does anyone have any info that may be useful on this project?
I was thinking of going with the FSXpand Glass cockpit software over Magenta because of the price. Anyone use it? As for the Overhead it looks like the Magenta PM-Systems is the way to go. But it expensive. Any alternatives?

As for the Panels. I read a couple sites that used white Plexi then laminated it with a design printed on paper with an inljet. I'm just wondering if there might be a better way.

I'm only in the planning stages now so I could use all the input you might have.

I need to find quality electronics cheap. I have a RadioShack right around the corner. But I'm not sure I trust the quality of their electronics.

I also need as much information as I can get on how everything interfaces with my system and FS.

I've been looking for a challenge and I think I've found it!

Thanks for any help you may offer!

Rich Benoist
AS398

[as176andre]

GoFlight.com,

I have a nice set up and they have various options, not too expensive, and they are all modular so you can build it bit by bit.

[rich1963]

I'll check it out. Thank You. So far I'm leaning torwards Opencockpits.com. I like what Ive seen so far. Most cards can be bought as kits. (Which I like) They have a nice set of panels too.

This weekend I'm gonna make a couple panels and see how the different ways of creating them turns out. I may just end up putting out the money for Panels though. We'll see.

I'm gonna check out GoFlight.com now and see what they have.


Thanks Again Andre,

Rich Benoist
AS398