19/02/2010  Couple of things happened over the last week or so.  Vybhav talked me into another MyCockpit.org Podcast, this time about inputs.   These are designed to get you started in communicating successfully with your sim.
Click on the image to stream it (in MP3) or right click HERE and 'save target as' to download it to your computer.   Plans are well under way for the third podcast about simple electronic circuits.
Then Feb 19th, Steve Everson was here.  Two years since Steve was here, cant believe it.   We had a great discussion about what we perceive as the future and i showed him a few things that i'm upto.   i think he went away enthused and with some ideas for his own cockpit development.   And he flew Madrid to Palma in the bargain :o))
First Scenery purchase of the tear. Alan Watson was raving about this, so i bought the IBIZA X package.  Was he right or what.  Not the biggest airport in the Med, but the attention to detail is quite amazing.  Go to the Aerosoft website and have a look for your self.   And the thing I like about Aerosoft is if you buy the FS2004 version, you also get a link to the FSX verion for when (or if) you decide to change platform.

05/02/2010  Some of you may remember the Rotary Switch to Encoder Idea from last year.  Well i have a project on the go which needed something similar.  But, i only needed to control a 3 position switch.  That is one which has a + & - mode of increase and decrease.  But of course the direction of switching had to be synchronised with the software switch.  Here's the deal.

Dave Holt has managed to work out how to drive the Cabin Alt Differential Gauge Using Phidgets.  This looks interesting.  
Click on the image on the right to see the test video on YouTube.                

Thanks to everybody who got in touch re: the Podcast.  Plans are well under way for the next one about INPUTS.

27/01/2010  So I got myself interviewed by Vybhav from MyCockpits about Cockpit Building.  This is the first in a series that we will do.    This Podcast is a General Discussion about what new builders (and some seasoned veterens) have to think about to move ahead with their projects.   Hope you enjoy it.   Just click on the image to stream it     Or you can download it HERE (Right Click-Save As)

23/01/2010  I was in Paris Thursday at Revolution Simproducts for a couple of reasons. First they will exchange my TQ for the New Updated Version (I had the prototype to work with).  Then I was looking at some new products 'in the pipeline'.  Can't say too much because these are still in development at the moment :o))
First Off, they are looking at several products.  I've seen the drawings of the IPECO Pilots Seat which EREN tells me will be available in Grey Leather and with a Sheepskin Finish.
Then this idea 'Blew Me Away'...... they are working on an Auto Yoke system.  I was sat in Paris watching Oral (who was in Istanbul) writing the programming and testing the motion of the Yoke based in data he was collecting from inside FS.    This is breaking news, more when i have it.

Then I saw all the new developments on the TQ.  This is the new lever drive mechanism.  All Aluminium and as smooth as silk.  Lovely 'feel' to it.  The thing I liked was they are now building them modular.  The new handles are exceptional.   Now I can't wait to get my real TQ here.    I didn't say anything about the Rudder Pedals did I, because nobody is supposed to know  :o))

07/01/2010  The UK is absolutely 'Snowed In'.   The weather here has been the coldest winter for 30 years.   So, as it's just too cold to get out to the workshop, it's given me the opportunity to polish up some new ideas.     Been working on the 'Remote Control' idea for the sim using Peter Dowson's Virtual Buttons in WideFS/Wideclient to great effect.   Now able to totally control the sim from outside from start up to shutdown.  More later.
Now who says the Big Boys don't take notice !   I had a letter from BOEING thanking me for my interest in the 737NG.    Fame at last it seems  :o))
I haven't heard from Mark in ages, so i've been working on the 'Project' here, very succesfully i might add. So, i've been writing it all down and have nearly finished all the drafts.

24/12/2009  Well another year closes (almost). I've actually finished automating the overhead and aircraft systems.  All i've got to do now is sit down with the PIC's and get the Green 7 segment displays working in the Overhead Meter Panel, but that's for next year.   I just want to thank everybody for their visit's, contact's, support and friendship over the past year and for making it a very constructive year.   Over the holiday, i'll be doing the annual 'tidy up' and trying to get the website and doc's upto date.  HAPPY NEW YEAR !
PHOTO PAGE HERE

Best of
BEST HARDWARE PRODUCT = REVOLUTION SIMPRODUCTS for the Motorised TQ
BEST NEW SCENERY = AEROSOFT  for MALLORCA X and PARIS Charles de Gaulle LFPG
BEST 'BITS' = Phil Lambert at SIMVIONICS for his DZUS Fastners and ENGRAVITY for the Dummy CDU
BEST SOFTWARE UTILITY = Peter Dowson for the Virtual Buttons in WIDEFS
BEST NEW WEBSITE = Trevor Hale & Bob Reed for COCKPITBUILDERS.com
Special Thanks to Real World Pilots Rhys Bettridge, Robert Cassidy, Jamie Knight & Chris Ingamells for teaching me lots

17/12/2009  I've just been speaking to Oral at REVOLUTION SIMPRODUCTS and he's advised me that after the success of the promotion they did for the Lelystad Show, they have decided to do another one for the Christmas Holiday.      So for those of you who just have not made up your mind yet, there's a 100 euro discount on all orders taken over the Christmas Holiday.    And on top of that, the design has been improved.  All handles and main parts are now being machined from aluminium.  The handles are now being engraved and the trim mechanism has been completely redesigned.   Could be your last chance to get a deal.   Merry Christmas.

15/12/2009  There's been a lot going on the last two weeks so that's why i've been conspicuous by my absence.      First up, i've been working with the guys at REVOLUTION Simproducts 'fine tuning' the software for the TQ.  Here's one of the test video's.   Nice.
Next up, i've also been doing a bit with Gert at FLYWARE.   Gert has been working with integrating the Navigraph AIRAC data into FSXpand.    And he's now got the Heading Bug on the HSI following the PMDG as well as the standard FS.   Watch out for the next version of FSXpand, there's a FMC coming which will really open it up.  And Gert is thinking about hardware integration into the bargain as well. 
The word on the street is GLB Flightproducts are entering the Overhead Panel Market. Gez has just been telling me about his new product which will be available early in the New Year.   Pricewise, it will very interesting (can't say anything or he'll shoot me). 
02/12/2009   Well I took some flak when i fitted a second Steering Tiller in my cockpit :o))   But, i was right.  I just took delivery of a dedicated F/O tiller from Dieter at ROUTECH.  Because it's the other side the cockpit, it has to be a mirror image of the Captain's.   Dieter has now started to produce a First Officer Steering Tiller.     Doing business with Dieter is painless :o))   He has an amazing sense of humour and he is an astonishing craftsman.   The quality of this tiller is magnificent.   Everybody who has seen his products will agree i'm sure.    Ask him about his dog, he loves that, he'll send you pictures :o))

18/11/2009   I'm an avid supporter of the MyCockpits website, having been a member for quite some time.  It's a great resource for builders.  Answers to problems, drawings and great information.   Take a look for yourself.
But now we have a 'New Kid On the Block'.  Trevor Hale has just uploaded a new site for us builders to visit Cockpitbuilders.com and although a new site at startup, it's starting to be fun :o))    I personally like the 'banter' and humourous exchanges.    Lot of old friends there as well.  Check it out here.

  13/11/2009 Just a quickie.  First, I bought some DZUS fastners off PHIL744 at the Lelystad Show.  These are absolutely great.  Moulded cup and a 4mm Brass screw. Nice quality. Give him a shout if you need some (I just ordered 50 more).        Next up, i picked up my dummy CDU from Robert at Engravity also.   Now had time to put a Dummy display in it and backlight it using Orange LED strips.    Great addition to the F/O side and not expensive either.  The switches even have that tactile feel.  Just may give somebody an idea :o))

10/11/2009 LELYSTAD FSWeekend Pictures Up HERE.  Thanks to the UK Team and everybody we met

05/11/2009 Hooked up the backlighting today, just sat there looking at it :o))  Very nice effect.  Warm white backlighting done with 12v LED strips.
This is what it looks like in the dark.  I'm done now until after the LELYSTAD  show, so see you all there :o))

03/11/2009 OK, been going on about it for long enough. Here it is :o))  Revolution Simproducts TQ arrived :o))  :o))   I connected it up to the test rig to give it a workout.   Got to say, cosmetically, it is quite stunning. 
I'm really pleased.    Setup took me 15 minutes and then we were cooking.
Just a couple of minor issues, a wire came off in transit and the speed of the trim wheels just didn't seem right.  But after a Skype call to Eren & Oral, problems sorted within the hour.   So, I'm going to play with it for a day or two to get used to it and after the show in Lelystad, we'll fit it in the cockpit.

If you're going to the Lelystad Show, go and see this, go and see the 737NG demo (next door) and if you have a few hours spare in the evening, www.mycockpit.org are having a 'bit of a do' at the Flauntus Restaurant on the Airport. Great opportunity to meet  fellow cockpit builders ina great social environment.   

28/10/2009 Been away for a week's holiday so not a lot going on while i was away.  
OK, for everybody going to LELYSTAD, Gert sent me the Floorplan showing who is where.   Just have a look at the Plan and you will see Mark Dave & 'The Project' (labelled 737NG)  right next  door to Gert at Flyware.  And next door is the Revolution Simproducts boys with the TQ.    So i'll be hanging around these three if anybody wants to come and say hello.     Several people have been asking me about my TQ.   Sorry to keep you all in suspense, but i haven't had chance to put it to work yet because i've had a mother board go in one of my cockpit computers and one of my projectors has been giving me some grief.
So maybe at the weekend if i can get out of my chores :o)).

14/10/2009 I get asked all the time by our less experienced colleagues how i connect to the BU0836 cards using a Matrix.  So i explained it HERE in a 'How To Make One' .pdf file.   Might help somebody.  David Bullock has also sent me a file on how he built the Opencockpits FMC. I've  uploaded this onto his page HERE.

11/10/2009 THE PROJECT.....I was over at Mark's yesterday to see the demo for Lelystad working.  I'm stunned.  100% replication of the overhead annunciator logic.   Not only that, but the meter panel board is 'up and running' and the APU EGT Gauge has now been finalised.   Mark & Dave are bringing this Demo to Lelystad.   So come and check it out. I'll be hanging around as well and you'll find us right next door to Gert at Flyware. If you want your Overhead operational, check this out.  
By the way, check out the different values on the Meter Panel Digits for different power source selections.

28/09/2009 OK, I'm due to get delivery of the Revolution Simproducts TQ Mid October.  In my mail yesterday, Eren sent me some photo's of it actually being built.    Now I'm wound up and can't wait.   Alan Watson has also bought one and he's dribbling too :o))     Also getting ready for Lelystad, so if you're going, go check this out.   New version of FSXpand is running like a watch.   Wonder what GERT will have on show there as well?            Been away on holiday for a couple of weeks, so I need to get upto speed on the 'PROJECT'.  I'll mail Mark this week and see if i can get over to his for an update.  Pics will follow.  Have a great week chaps.    Also try this out.... FREEZ Freeware Scenery for ZURICH, Switzerland.    Real Nice Job and a good rendition of the airport. FS9, FSX & XPlane versions :o))

Leo's also sent me a piccy of the new 'slimline' BU0836X board.  These are coming on stream shortly. Now has a fully protected USB Socket and Leo's telling me that the size is reduced to 47mm x 120.5mm.    Firmware and functionality remains exactly as the original board.   Nice one Mr B. :o)) 

10/09/2009 I was in Paris Tuesday to see the new Revolution Simproducts TQ because frankly, I was interested in it.    Was met at the CDG by Eren and Oral  and taken to the workshop to see what the deal was.  Lucky enough to sit in on them building one for a customer so seized the opportunity to take some photo's.....  

Once completed, i got a full demo of it working and then i was let loose to try it for myself :o))    The thing i liked was that it has a very positive feel on the Throttle Levers because they are directly connected thru gearing to the pots and motors.  You have to see this if you are going to Lelystad.  Final verdict :o))   One will be arriving here Mid October :o))  :o))  :o))

03/09/2009  First Up, thank you to everybody who visited over the past year. I have just looked at the figures and traffic is up 20%.  116,000 distinct visits.
Second, i've been talking to the guys at Revolution Simproducts and i'm going to Paris 8th Sept to see the new TQ and have a look at the operation.      Not saying i'm tempted or anything :o))
Next, we had a 767 Pilot here, Rhys Betteridge who is building his sim around the LevelD.  We had a great time working as a team and not only did he enjoy himself, he also taught me a thing or two into the bargain.  Thanks Rhys.
New version of FSXPAND available.  New Features include LOW and IMBAL warnings on the fuel gauges and a working Thrust Mode annunciator.   It's in and working,     I'll get some screenshots over the weekend and upload.

27/08/2009  Have you seen this?   Now this is one of the most exciting developments i've come across this year.  I mailed them and this is going to be on show at Lelystad in November. Two versions, a motorised version on 'Special' for the Lelystad show at 1600 euro's + vat and a basic version at 650 euro's + vat.   This is one to look out for i think. Catch the Video......HERE

18/08/2009  Great News :o))   I just had a mail from Leo Bodnar.   Site back up www.leobodnar.com  

14/08/2009  Today's the day our friend and colleague Geremy Britton opens for business.  GLB Flight Products has lined up some exciting new products for the cockpit builder.   Geremy says ' The Flight simulation community welcomes a new supplier with a difference; GLB Flight Products at www.geremy.co.uk . We provide excellent value parts and software for aviation enthusiasts worldwide'.   Read the full PRESS RELEASE HERE My favourite is this DZUS fastner, brilliant idea.  Surprised nobody thought of it earlier.  The simple ideas are always the best.
Just want to wish Geremy every success in his new venture and i'm sure 'He's One To Watch'.  Good Luck GEZ.

11/08/2009  Been a busy week. First I had John & Chris Perrin here (all the way from ASHFORD in Kent), but they didn't only come North to see me.   They had a good time.
 John is building a 737.  Some of you may remember him from Lelystad last year.
 'The Project'.......I was talking to Mark yesterday and he's nearly done.  He is hoping to bring a demo board with him to Lelystad so people will get a handle on what we're upto. 
Me for my part (after my mammoth struggle with Logic Chips) have discovered PIC's.   Amazing little 'computers on a chip'.   Just program them and they'll do anything you want.  I got a PICAXE Tutorial board from RAPID so i could learn how they work.   I've set it up to run the APU start proceedure and then switch power to the bus when on.        Write the program in BASIC on your PC, download it to the PIC and 'way to go'.
What these are going to do is get rid of a lot of electronic components because the chip makes all the decisions and does all the switching for you by software and not with hardware .   The PICAXE programming software even has a simulator, so you can write and test the program before even buying the chip and the best bit is it's free to download, now that can't be bad :o)) 

31/07/2009  Logic Chips, don't know what all the fuss is about :o))  Finally got my head around how they all work and more importantly how they work with each other.    Mark's back off holiday and 'beavering away', so I think the end of the tunnel is in site.   Mark is suggesting bringing a board to Lelystad to show a few people.  Would be a great opportunity.
My prototype system is working on my workbench.  I had to build it so i knew what was going on.  Semi wired it to my overhead panel so i could test operation and of course 'modification' reared it's ugly head.   But that's what research and development is all about.  Hopefully this week will break it's back.

I have been flying as well :o))   Apart from the usual Payware Scenery's, there's a lot of talented guys out there designing some excellent Freeware scenery as well.  Here's three i came across recently.  All highly recommended.
LROP 2009 - BUCHAREST, the new much improved LQSA Sarajevo and GAP Airports LGKR Corfu.   Then it dawned on me, I use Robert-Jan Oosterloo's excellent FS2004 & FSX Freeware Scenery File Index, but never put a link to it.   Get these three scenery files from there.

24/07/2009  I've spent the week getting very frustrated with 'Logic Gates'.  They don't seem to think like I do....Hmmmm.   Well never mind.   So by about Monday I threw in the towel and took a more 'mechanical' approach using relays to decide whether the Transfer Bus Lights were on or off.   Bingo, works a treat.  Mark is back off holiday hopefully because I have reached the limit of my 'electronic skills' and now it's time to refer to the experts.              This is where I am at.   I am delivering power to the aircraft 100% accurately from GND PWR, the APU and ENG GENS using data lifted from FS.  All Annunciators on the Electrical System are working exactly as they do in the real aircraft  including the APU Low Pressure (16 second illumination at startup) and a delayed APU Off Bus (35 secs).  Source Off & Transfer Bus Off Annunciators are now 100% accurate (at last).  Phew, need a holiday :o))

19/07/2009  Well looks like another good UK turnout for the Lelystad Show 7th & 8th November.  Already booked in are Myself, Alan Watson, David Bullock and also again this year, Pete Dowson.    I think also John (Flymo) and Ralph W are also booked in.  See You There :o)) 
The 'Project' is going well apart from the fact that i am having a spot of bother trying to get my head around 'Logic Gates'.  But we'll get there in the end :o))   Mark's on holiday, so i'm having to slug it out with the chips on my own :o))
By the way, I am reliably informed (i wrote some of the text for the video) that there will be some exciting new products available shortly.  I am just waiting for the 'all clear' from the manufacturer to put the photo's up.   I can't say any more yet because i promised to 'keep my mouth shut' until they were ready to launch.   Also coming soon will be a new website for Cockpit Builders.  Again, i'm waiting for the 'Go Ahead' to spill the beans...Watch this space.

11/07/2009  First David Bullock sent me some info on how he built his Brake Pressure Gauge.  So i printed it into a .pdf file which you can see HERE, or visit David's page HERE.      Next up, the 'Project'.....I have finished my own prototype control boards and installed them.  Automatic Power Delivery to the aircraft 100% accurate from GND PWR, APU and ENG GENS and it's all being controlled from 'stock' FS Offsets.  I have the Eng Gen Off, Source Off & Transfer Bus Off Annunciators 80% correct, but i now have to introduce some 'logic' chips to control these correctly.  Mark is now building the 'Final' boards on actual PCB's and i'm waiting to hear from him.  Hopefully this week things will come together and i'll be able to report more.  But for now here's a few snaps of the control boards to whet your appetite.

29/06/2009  Ah! 'The Project'.  First thanks to everybody who mailed me about this.  We are now in a position where Mark has got it 110% right.   Total, faithful behaviour of the Overhead and Aircraft Electrical Sysytems starting from a bunch of 'stock' FS offsets. He has posted a demo video on YouTube which you can see HERE.  Me for my part, I'm getting there. I've managed to get the GND PWR, Eng Gen's and APU Boards made and working.  The APU control board gave me some headaches because it is the most difficult to get right.     I also have the Gen Panel Annunciators lighting correctly and i'm really 'buzzing' about this idea.   The man's a f*****g genius :o))    Now i'm off to the lab to get to work on the system annunciators.

22/06/2009  First off this week, I bought Aerosoft's Mallorca X Scenery..... absolutely stunning after the old version.   Makes you want to fly to LEPA all the time :o))   And it's AES compatible too...worth every penny.  Used my last 3 AES credits on it :o))      See the screenshots.
Now the serious stuff..... I got round to fitting the ELMA E37 dual encoders to the EFIS Units.  I've had them wired to go for some time, but didn't get round to it until now.   I now have an exact replica of an EFIS unit.  All I did was record the extra macro in FSUIPC and way to go.  100% accurate operation of the EFIS unit.  Now for the other side.   Encoders and knobs from Leo.   If you order, ask him for black caps instead of grey and he'll sort you.
Last up, 'The Project' .....  I was over at Mark Deponeo's on Saturday to see progress and 'it's all over bar the shouting'.  What we have now is a faithful delivery of the electrical system from Battery,  GND PWR, APU and ENG Gen's based on 'stock' FS offsets.  Then, Mark has got the ENG GEN OFF, SOURCE OFF & TRANSFER BUS OFF annunciators reporting exactly as they would in the real aircraft.   It then follows that he has managed to get the 'system' annunciators behaving exactly as they would based on the state of the power delivery source (e.g. whether it is on bus or off).  I'm trying to keep up with him, but it's not easy :o))   
All will be revealed soon......promise.

16/06/2009  'The Project'.   OK, I can tell you a little bit about it now.   Mark Deponeo (from now on we'll call him Merlin the Magician :o))  ) has developed an interface board that controls the functions and gives correct control, distribution and annunciation on the 737 overhead.   I am happy to have been some minor assistance on this project because having seen it working i think he's onto something here because the idea can be applied to any aircraft really with some 'adjustments'.  But for now we are going 737.
Here's some shots of the development board.  Bear in mind that this is the prototype, the working board looks much better :o))

What Mark has managed to achieve here is an exact replica of the behaviour of the APU, Gen and GRD PWR delivery to the aircraft along with correct Gen Off, Source Off and Trans Bus Off annunciation.  All delayed actions like APU Lo Press on at startup followed by the delay before the APU is available.  Yaw Damper Delay annunciation etc.  And then correct behaviour of the systems annunciators.   In fact everything the 737 overhead does, Mark has got his board doing.   He has even got correct display for voltages and Freq on the meter panel.  Land Alt and Flt Alt is nearly ready, but he has now discovered how to correctly drive overhead gauges. See the development APU EGT Gauge working on YouTube.          It's a very clever idea and Mark is now looking at having the PCB's made commercially.  I'm going over Saturday so hope to have some more news and photo's then.

09/06/2009  I was talking to my mate Paolo at CPFlight and I am happy to advise that Paolo and his Lady became proud parents May 28th. A baby boy called Alex.  Everything went well and Mum and Baby are fine, but Paolo is still Hyper :o))

04/06/2009  Plenty going on. First Mark Deponeo got me to write some lines for the CPFlight MCPEX1 Expansion Board to give him better control over the switching of Engine Gen circuits on the 'project'.  Then i had a couple of guys ask me about what i did with the board to light my Eng & Spar valve Annunciators.  So I decided to write it all down in an easy to understand manner.  The doc's on the right.
On the left is a 555 timer chip.  These are cheap, readily available (UK colleagues can get them from Rapid Electronics for about 20p with the socket).  This is one amazing little varmint.    Very clever what you can do with it.   After Mark Deponeo turned me onto these, I've been playing around with them.  Using the MCPEX Relays to trigger and reset them, opens up a whole new ball game for control of the Electrical Distribution System.   More coming, but I'm waiting for an answer from Paolo at CPFlight about assigning more than one condition statement to each of the relays.

24/05/2009  Some colleagues were very interested in my idea about using the Phidets LED64 Board and Alan Dyer's FS2Phidgets Interface Program to automate some of my overhead. I did have some success going down this road.  I had about 14 or 15 led's switching in unison with FS.   But when trying to achieve more complex switching actions, I kept getting program errors.  Sadly Alan Dyer has decided to withdraw support for his FS2Phidgets program which means i am between a rock and a hard place.   I made the decision to scrap the idea and look for another solution.   
That may have been a 'blessing in disguise'.   Mark Deponeo has introduced me to using 555 timer chips, transistors and relays to do the business. I was at Mark's yesterday to see what he's been upto and the best bit is - IT WORKS.  I have a simple prototype working on my workbench. 
Looks difficult but once you understand how it works, EASY PEASY :o))  All will be revealed soon.

Sometimes, something sticks in your mind.   My friend and colleague David Bullock (Mycockpit.org members will know him as fordgt40) was showing me his progress building his 737NG.  I was astounded by the level of professionalism and quality of build, that i asked David to send me some photo's and a few words so i could show everybody.  Prepare to be amazed,oh yes, i mean it :o))
Just click on any of the photo's above for the lowdown on David's build.

20/05/2009  I am always being asked what this does and what that does and how does that work.  So yesterday i had a visitor flying the sim who asked the same questions.  So, that galvanised me into action.   For our friends starting out who are 'electronically challenged', here's a few links that will help you learn about components, circuits and what you can do if you really want to. This is basically how i learnt to get all the components working together to do what they were supposed to do.   The first item is take a look at the 'Dummies Guide to Electronics' (get it at Amazon or on e-bay).  Well written and a good reference book.   Next off is one of my favourite's, the 'Electronics Club'.  Developed by John Hewes, its's a goldmine of information and Highly Recommended.     Last, but not least is this site.  Very well written and easy to understand, Electronics in Meccano again shows you how to understand components, what they do and how to build them into circuits.

30/04/2009  My mate Leo Bodnar has come up trumps here.  He's just starting to sell the ELMA E37 dual rotary encoder because it works with the BU0836X board (and the newer BU0836 and Bu0836A's as well).  The bonus over the ALPS dual encoder is that it has a threaded collar and can be placed into a panel or lightplate. And these are the knobs which Leo has managed to source for the Encoder.    There's a couple on my desk waiting to go into the workshop :o))  
Have a look at these........Here's the DATA SHEET and you can get them at www.leobodnar.com