This blogger chronicles the building of a Cessna 172 simulator panel using MS Flight Simulator 2004, joystick peripherals, and actual Cessna parts. The aim is to construct a simulator close enough in dimensions to the real airplane to serve as a humble beginning to eventual real pilot training.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Cessna 172 Simulator

CUTTING THE CH YOKE SHAFT:
Dad had a tube cutter that fit the 1” diameter of the yoke shaft.  The cut is made at the closest point to the yoke itself allowing equal space on either side of the cut shaft to fit couplers without hindering the shaft's full range of motion.



Web photo.  Sorry, don't remember web site.

WIRES:
Once the Yoke shaft is cut, BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL not to cut the entire black cable (which carries 11 wires) all at once because it includes 4 pairs of like colors.
  • 2 Black
  • 2 White
  • 2 Purple
  • 2 Orange
  • 1 Red
  • 1 Blue
  • 1 Green




PVC PIPE PREP:
After careful measurement of all pertinent distances, including the shaft’s forward and aft displacement, we cut the ¾” PVC pipe to the length we need and cover it with Silver Air-Duct tape to make it look like an aluminum pipe.



CH YOKE  -  BUTTON ASSIGNMENT CHECK:
We then run extensions through the PVC pipe, couplers, and faux shaft support and solder the ends to their respective wires.
Before we epoxy all the PVC, Couplers, and Yoke shafts, I hook up the CH Yoke to the CPU and test all button functions and assignments. They all work fine.

Web photo: Michael R. Stiteler (unmodified yoke)

All parts are now setting with fresh epoxy.
I will post the pics of the yoke with extended shaft once epoxy sets.

posted by Cessna 172 Simulator Panel at 12:05 AM

3 Comments:

Blogger Alb said...

Hey Michael,
I just read a review you wrote for a flight sim yoke usb that I found on Amazon. My 12 year old son is asking for it for Christmas. Since I am a novice and no nothing about planes or simulators I thought I'd turn to somebody who knows something. Is this something we can figure out or is he in over his head? Also if we get the flight sim what games do I need to get to go with it? Any advice you can give would be great. You can reply on my blog or I will check back here.

5:34 PM

 
Blogger Cessna 172 Simulator Panel said...

Hello Alb:

Well, considering someone can fly solo at 16 years of age with a Student Pilot Certificate, 12 years old is a good age to start learning about flight.
The CH yoke is basically a Plug and Play control (all buttons are set, although basic computer knowledge is helpful) that works with Microsoft's Flight Simulator series (I use 2004 A Century of Flight). The Yoke does include a CD that installs the Drivers in the event the Flight Simulator doesn’t recognize it (again, just basic computer knowledge is helpful).
If you get the yoke, plan on some begging from your little one for the rudder pedals (also plug and play with minor set up) for total flight control.
Microsoft's Flight Simulator comes in two varieties: 1.) Actual Flight Simulation with no tasks to accomplish once airborne other than actual flight (maintaining altitude, navigating VOR's, entering traffic patterns, reaching your destination, etc, etc, etc). Kind of boring if one isn't thinking about becoming a Pilot or at least learning to be one (there is quite a learning curve). 2.) Combat Flight Simulator with combat missions to accomplish. This one tends to be a bit more entertaining for many.
Good luck and thanks for the question.
Regards, Jorge

PS In order to illustrate the many facets of building a Simulator, I have placed several pictures from other web sites on my blog being careful to give credit to the person who took each picture. Because of this, the names of many fellow simulator builders appear at the bottom of their pictures (Michael being one of them). Once again thank you and good luck. Sincerely: JORGE

8:14 PM

 
Blogger Alb said...

Thanks for the info.

6:15 AM

 

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