21/07/2010   When I was in Paris, Eren asked me to make some video of how i built the rudders to help other customers who will buy the Rudder Pedals as a kit instead of the built model.  Here's the end result below.  Video comes in 3 parts.  Part 1 is Assembling Mechanics, Part 2 is Fitting Covers and for customers with 2 sets of rudders, a brief description of the interlink system.
And finally for those customers who have purchased the rudder pedals, there's a setup document.  More info HERE.

20/07/2010   Lot going on this week.....phew !   July 17th, we were delighted to fly with our First Lady Pilot, Ms. Jean HANDLEY.  Flew us out of and back into Manchester onto 23R (ooow look, there's the Pub :o))  ).  Pleasure to have a bit of glamour aboard.   Then my colleague David BULLOCK sent me his 'next installment', how he built and backlit his overhead project.   I have never seen someone who has such attention to detail and i'm insanely jealous whenever i see his endeavours.   Click the image on the right to read what David has written or visit his area on my site HERE.
Just been reading up on deals being done at  the Farnborough Air Show.....    Did you know, a new 737-800 now costs $76 million, f**k me that's big bucks :o))

16/07/2010  I was over in Paris yesterday fetching my second Rudder Pedal Kit from Eren.  The last time i was there, I saw the first prototype Auto Yoke which they had built as a 'proof of concept'.    Well development has progressed to a point where it is fully operational in both pitch and roll.   And he's even got the 'Stick Shaker' working into the bargain.   Click the image on the right to stream a short demo video and here's some shots of the first production prototype.    As well as the Auto Yoke, Eren is also going to produce a basic model.
These are going to be on show in Lelystad, so go check them out November 6th & 7th.      Operation is exactly the same as the real thing using Gears and Shafts. Real sweet well thought out

04/07/2010  Well, very pleased to play host to another celebrity last Saturday :o))
PCPILOT journalist JOE LAVERY travelled up from Cardiff to 'have a bash' at the sim.  Left Cardiff for Edinburgh with an approach & TOGA to 23R at Manchester thrown into the bargain.  Joe was all over the new TQ and you never know we just might get a mention in the Magazine next month.
Ok, I know, very quiet on the 'Project' front.   Well I've had the system working since early part of the year, but documenting it all has really taken a lot of time.  All the 'decision making' is being done by PICAXE PIC's. In the above image, the one on the right is handling all the input/outputs and the one on the left is for expansion.  Expect the new electrical page when i have had the time (and enthusiasm) to finish up the .pdf's.  I've done 4 of the 5 and started to build the page. Watch this space.

01/07/2010  Another visitor yesterday, Gerard Rothwell came over from Porthcawl for a blast in the pit. " I really enjoyed it and learnt so much. I think it's brilliant that you share everything with flightsim community"...Well i'm just a nice guy.
Right, made the decision, booked the Hotel, off to Lelystad Nov.6th & 7th for the FSWEEKEND. So, look forward to seeing you all there again this year chaps.
Last snippet for today, Eren sent me a message telling me that the new LANDING LIGHT SWITCHES are finished, in stock and ready to ship.   Fully machined from aluminium and fitted to a security switch, so the TEE Caps cannot rotate on the switch toggle.  Check them out HERE

24/06/2010  All the rudder pedals sold thanks chaps (even got to sell my spare pair as well).  So i went ahead and fitted the new Rudders from Eren.  Very pleased with the operation and end result.  

Simple 'Plug & Play' install with controls being routed via a 'Bodnar Card' that makes assignment and calibration a breeze in FSUIPC.   Have a look for yourself.  And Eren tells me he has some 'SPECIAL OFFERS' for the FSWEEKEND 6/7th November. Click the image on the left to see his offers for yourself.

18/06/2010  And my pleasure 16th June to welcome another Father and Son Team, Rob & Alan HOWE all the way from Cumbria.  Very tricky approach to Nice Cote d'Azur 04R.

16/06/2010  Well the Rudders arrived from Eren at Revolution Simproducts (I ought to have shares in that company :o))  ).         Totally 'blown away' with them.  Very solid construction that includes a lot of aluminium and a very clever mechanism.        Simple USB 'Plug & Play' Connection via one of Leo Bodnar's cards which i'm going to assign and configure using FSUIPC.   The thing I like as well is that the footrests are seperate units, which means they are going to fit nicely with my yoke.   Hope to get them fitted at the weekend and will post more photo's and comments then.

11/06/2010  News this week is that my Revolution Simproducts Rudder Pedals will be here on Monday :o))  More info and Pics when i get them.   Also two great chaps in on Tuesday. Andrew & John Clissett flew Manchester to Palma flawlessly. John said 'Thanks very much today we were very very impressed!  What you have done is a very realistic Flight Sim and we enjoyed every part of it'
Makes you feel all warm inside when somebody compliments you like that :o))

07/06/2010  Been working on the Auto TQ manual for Eren at Revolution Simproducts and had some things to take care of as well, so time has not been on my side last couple of weeks.   Pleasure to welcome our first Egyptian visitors Ali & Andy AMER who were here June 3rd all the way from CAIRO.  Flew Cairo to Sharm.   By the way, the SDG Scenery for Sharm (HESH) is worth a look. It's cheap as chips (about 5 Euro's from SimMarket).

31/05/2010  Just had a couple of weeks holiday, hence my absence. But after coming back i've been flying the sim quite a lot (well that's what it's there for).   Pat on the back here for Gary Summons at UK2000 Scenery for his Manchester Xtreme.   Absolutely superb in detail and very accurate in it's presentation.Lots of updates and runway numbering now changed....check this one out.

22/04/2010  Well finally got the new TQ Page Finished. Click on the Image to see it.   Took me quite some time because i was too busy playing with the TQ.   There's also some video's of it in action.
Also been busy with other things, but that's for later :o))   Ash Cloud, what ash Cloud?   Did i miss something ?

11/04/2010  Well finally got the Revolution Simproducts Throttle Quadrant built in and working. Absolutely delighted with it.   I've just got one thing to sort out, a minor conflict with the CPFlight MIP Board on the Spoiler Armed Annunciator, but no big deal.   Here's some photo's and there's more on the NEW TQ Page which i'm just working on, so bear with me :o))

I've had to do some major refitting to get this TQ in the right place, so I intend to test it all out over the next few days and while i'm doing that, i'll make some demo video's of the functions for uploading.  But for those of you who missed it, here's a link to the original testing on the prototype unit i had for testing.   Prototype Test Video.

09/04/2010  Busy, Busy, Busy over the last two weeks.  Had three visitors in left to right  Ben DALE (Sweden), Ian POUTNEY (Boston), and Andrew LOHMAN from Llandudno over to beat the crap out of the sim.
Then 7th April, i've ripped out the sim for some maintenance and to fit the REVOLUTION SIMPRODUCTS Throttle Quad.  Pics later OMG ! :o))
THERE IS DEFINATELY GOING TO BE AN SDK for the PMDG 737NGX.    To quote Robert RANDAZZO of PMDG
"We are currently working to provide a simple, no-cost interface for many hardware suppliers so that they may connect their devices to future products, such as our upcoming 737NG2.0.  Development of said interfaces will of course be left to the individual hardware developers, but the SDK that we provide them will be plenty sufficient to accomplish the task and we will require that they provide the drivers at no cost to end users."

25/03/2010  I've been talking to Gert at FLYWARE and he's just been showing me the new screenshots of the FSXpand CDU in action.   He's building and displaying routes based on the Navigraph AIRAC data inside the FSXpand CDU which is due for release later this year.   I'm also happy to confirm that Gert will also be introducing CPFlight MCP compatibilty into FSXpand, probably in the next major release.

24/03/2010  Look what I've just seen in my e-mail from Eren at Revolution Sim-Products

   I was in Paris in January and I saw the prototype of these when I was there.  Eren just sent me an e-mail telling me that the production is now ready.  They look real nice 
Eren wrote: 'Here are the specification:
We have respected the appearance and size of the 737 rudder pedals.     Our unit is USB 'plug and play' just assign the three axes as right & left brake and rudder in FSUIPC or FS that's all in 5 minutes, you are up and running.           Measurements are from ground to top of pedal 36 cm,
Depth:48cm,  Length: adjustable between 430 and 550 cm to allow users of  the ACE yoke with base no problem because the footrests are the 3mm thick aliminium and are adjustable or removable.
Its solid base elements are manufactured in aluminium. Pedals are a Delrine 'one block' piece and painted with a hard coat epoxy paint.
Also on top as a option we can put dummy adjust handle etc.   Weight:15 kg    Available for order now direct.
First delivery date in the second week of April.  Price: for pre order 900 euros plus VAT and shipment (Normal price will be 1300 euro's), but for existing TQ owners, we will offer a special 100 euro discount.  Contact us HERE for more information'.

Finally, I have it on good authority that Gert at Flyware is talking to Paolo at CPFlight about compatibility with the CPFlight MCP.   With the Sim Avionics price having rocketted, it's a great opportunity for Gert to fill the gap if he can get hardware MCP and CDU compatibility built in.    Again i am reliably informed that the FSXpand CDU is due for release this year.

22/03/2010  Oops, been absent for far too long. Good excuse, very busy.  The 3rd podcast has been done for MyCockpit.org with Vybhav.  You need the .pdf file that accompanies it because there's some examples in it.
Just click on the image on the right to download it or click on the left link to stream the discussion.
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Then I've had a stream of visitors over to play.  Roger Harris was here and two 'Real World Pilots' in Rob Cassidy (Thomson) and Grant Doyle (Ryanair).   Great day with them and learned soooo much.

I've been talking a lot lately with Leo Bodnar.  Leo has now agreed a license with Peter Dowson for use of the FSUIPC data exchange processes.   Expect great things and upgrades to what the BU0836 family of cards can do.   In our exchanges, we discussed a new application which just might be of interest to somebody.   Years ago Mark Deponeo taught me to 'ladder resistors'.   Well in a project for a friend, i had a requirement for 4 position flaps lever. No worries.   Rotary switch with laddered resistors replaced a pot and in the axis assignment page, set on the right hand side what you want to happen when the 'pot' enters that range.    Leo is now producing these switches on a PCB.
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Part of the reason I have not been about is that I have been flying the sim.  No point in having something like this if you don't use it :o))    Three new sceneries  added to the destination index. Just bought the Aerosoft Amsterdam, Menorca and Innsbruck Sceneries.  It never ceases to amaze me the level of quality of the Aerosoft scenery.   All these three scenery files are HIGHLY recommended.  Check them out by clicking on the pics.
GLB Flight Products have been in touch to tell me about the new Switch Toggle Caps they have.   Could be a real budget alternative for a lot of people.  Not sure if they fit standard or long toggle switches because the page doesn't say, so just send Gez a mail and i'm sure he'll put you right. 
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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

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))