Last weekend I got the box built the main instrument panel will attach to. The rudder panels will be on the floor under this box. The black paint was applied because this edge will be exposed when complete.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
Cockpit Floor Built
I can say the project is officially started! Made it to the hardware store this weekend and got enough material to start the floor. After a lot of thought I went with 3/4 inch MDF. It seemed to be the cheapest material that should be able to hold the weight I anticipate. I plan on covering with some type of carpet so don't really care about the look.
After searching the internet for the best type of anchors, I decided on dry wall screws. They seem to be a course enough screw to bite in the MDF without stripping.
Got my son away from his computer long enough to help.
Here is the floor basically completed. I used 2 X 3 lumber for the support underneath. Basically framed it in like you would a house wall using the dry wall screws with a little wood glue. All holes were pre-drilled to help prevent splitting.
Added some swivel casters to help move it around. This will also help if I ever had to move it once installed to fix something. The completed size is around 66 X 58 inches.
After searching the internet for the best type of anchors, I decided on dry wall screws. They seem to be a course enough screw to bite in the MDF without stripping.
Got my son away from his computer long enough to help.
Here is the floor basically completed. I used 2 X 3 lumber for the support underneath. Basically framed it in like you would a house wall using the dry wall screws with a little wood glue. All holes were pre-drilled to help prevent splitting.
Added some swivel casters to help move it around. This will also help if I ever had to move it once installed to fix something. The completed size is around 66 X 58 inches.
Purchased the Seats
Went to the local auto junk yard this weekend in search of some seats for the sim. What I wanted was two seats with at least one arm rest. I really wanted leather but would settle for cloth.
When I walked in, I was asked what make, model and year vehicle I need the seats for. He gave me a funny look when I said it didn't matter, I was building chairs out of them. I didn't explain they would be seats for a home cockpit!
After walking around for about two hours, I had my choices down to two. A Fiat 500 and a 2006 Buick Terraza. The Fiat seats were small, very comfortable and in great condition. The car had pretty bad front end damage. These seats had a lever you push to slowly move the seat forward and backward. I thought that could have been handy. Only thing they didn't have arm rests, there isn't room for them in that little car.
I decided on the Buick's 2nd row seats. Not sure why the vehicle was in the junk yard, no signs of being in a crash at all. All the windows were rolled up so didn't have any weather damage inside, good for the seats I wanted. They were leather and in great shape. Each had one arm rest and light grey color. The passenger side had a very small hole in it, but nothing to be concerned about. All the mechanics seem to work. The seat slides front and back and reclines nicely.
Obviously the cup holders will have to go for the center pedestal. Not a bad find for 150 bucks.
When I walked in, I was asked what make, model and year vehicle I need the seats for. He gave me a funny look when I said it didn't matter, I was building chairs out of them. I didn't explain they would be seats for a home cockpit!
After walking around for about two hours, I had my choices down to two. A Fiat 500 and a 2006 Buick Terraza. The Fiat seats were small, very comfortable and in great condition. The car had pretty bad front end damage. These seats had a lever you push to slowly move the seat forward and backward. I thought that could have been handy. Only thing they didn't have arm rests, there isn't room for them in that little car.
I decided on the Buick's 2nd row seats. Not sure why the vehicle was in the junk yard, no signs of being in a crash at all. All the windows were rolled up so didn't have any weather damage inside, good for the seats I wanted. They were leather and in great shape. Each had one arm rest and light grey color. The passenger side had a very small hole in it, but nothing to be concerned about. All the mechanics seem to work. The seat slides front and back and reclines nicely.
Obviously the cup holders will have to go for the center pedestal. Not a bad find for 150 bucks.
Panels from Ruscool Electronics Received
To start the project off, I purchased 3 King Air panels from Ruscool Electronics. I purchased the Captains left and right panels, the co-pilots left panel, and his landing gear lever. Ruscool offers every panel in the King Air B200, however I'm working on a shoe string budget. The three panels I received I would say are the most used. I do plan on ordering a few others later on. Here are two images.
As you can see, these panels are are beautiful and very well made. If your thinking of a cockpit project of your own, check out his site (google ruscool electronics). He has panels for several aircraft along with various parts for cockpit builders.
As you can see, these panels are are beautiful and very well made. If your thinking of a cockpit project of your own, check out his site (google ruscool electronics). He has panels for several aircraft along with various parts for cockpit builders.
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