Thanks for the info!

I do have another question though: What's the "foot print" of your 'pit? ie. the Length/With of the 'box' it takes up on the floor? Interested in seeing how it compares to my "stock" ABC pit.

730mm wide at base, curving up to 916mm at its widest point. It's about 1850mm long in my case (at base) since I have to slightly separate the two parts to account for long legs. Normally it would be more like 1750mm. The chair protrudes backward slightly to add about 5-10cm at its longest point.

Gluing the wood on a uncovered hard wood floor. My wife would kill me. lol

Great Work!

Give me some credit There was either cardboard or other wood underneath anything I glued. Can't risk the wrath of She Who Sees All

Japanese make some good hand saws. Great job and workmanship XRay. Fair skies and happy flying.

Thanks Coot!

Another update:


I thought that after I'd finished the pit itself I'd be done with building things for a few months, but I had a little cash burning a hole in my pocket and new I/O boards are just a click away...
Mainly this was a good chance to try wiring up some LEDs for the first time. As you can see, my planning of the LED placement could have been a little better, but I'm pleased with the result. The photo doesn't really do it justice since the real thing has a nicer black and green contrast. (I followed someone else's method and sprayed the rear face of my acrylic black, having masked off the sections behind the switch labels, and then applied a transparent printable sticker sheet on the front face.)

Maybe my favourite new bit though is:

I thought about re-working the pull handles so I could yank them and eject, but in the end I settled on this simpler option Looks okay and works great!

Nice work keep it coming!

More updates!

I looked at all the spare MDF and acrylic I had lying around and thought "this will not do!"


I know have a kind of hybrid Fuel System Control Panel/SAS Panel:

I don't know anything about potentiometers or slide switches, so instead of trying to model the refueling hatch lever, I put in a nice chunky lever lock switch for controlling the landing gear.

Also added CDU and EGI switches since I had a couple of spare inputs on my other PCB:

The photo doesn't make it too clear, but these are small lever lock switches too. Wish I could use them in more places, but they cost about five times as much as other switches

And I had to do something to further improve my bumular comfort level, so I used my leftover fabric and made these:


One more angle:


And something a bit nostalgic, my "cockpit" as it was this time last year:


I really think that this time I've had enough building for a while
Although, I am kind of interested in Arduino boards for future panel builds... I understand they have a lot of potential when programmed for things like exporting LCD screens, but can they be used "plug-and-play" for simple button inputs with no additional programming?

As always, thanks to everyone for all the ideas, techniques and general inspiration!

Very good!!

I'm really impressed. I struggle to cut a straight line with a garage full of power tools, and you produce that high quality pit with hand tools and a very delicate 'workshop' area. WOW!

Nice job X-ray, I can't wait to see what gets added next!
Dud

Wow, this really is an impressive build. Love your sense of humor as well, Oddball has always been one of my favorite characters.

X-Ray,

Did you buy chance do up plans for the tub and seat? I really like your simpit and find that while I'd love to a full wrap-around tub, yours would work well in the space I've got.

Thanks in advance!
Jeff