Hey there,
Last night I got the okay from my significant other to go ahead and build my very own helo simpit (in the attic, but hey!). I have a general picture in my head on what it should look like but i could sure use some inspiration. Therefor i want to invite all of you to post some pictures of yours and help me out.
Thanks for reading.




Admin edit....Stickied

Here ya go Mr. Monk...






And oodles of stuff can be found HERE

Building one is both a journey, and an adventure. It's taken me 5 years to get it juuuuuust right. Good luck!

Here's my AH-64D Apache Longbow pit in the process of contruction...



More in my flickr set here - http://flickr.com/photos/glyndavies/sets/72157601448095349/

Here's my Comanche pit so far.
Still need to get it enclosed, though. (This is all temporary wood framing and support, so I can finalize the wiring and then dimension the metal framing and hull sections.)


The first pic's just a lamp test, with it sitting on the bench. (So you can see it lit up. )

holy moly Grizzly, thats some kit, although the first pic with its upside down right way up view had me confused for quite a while, my eyes kept going boss eyed looking at that one. What sim you plan on running with this?

mmmmkay...Here's a few crappy pics of my li'l hide-away replete with mini-fridge and all:







The Keyboard arm is already mounted and I need to grab a couple pics with it in action.


TB

That is so cool!!!! I want one of those... Are the panels homemade, or otherwise? USAF Enlisted collar insignia on the pedals?

Thanks. It was designed around EECH. (The only decent Comanche sim IMHO.) Although, it's already in need of some minor changes, thanks to Arneh's new v.1.9 exe and some recently found pics of the real deal's MPD screens.

LOL. The original pic of the lamptest that I posted a while back had alot more junk on the bench. I just ask everyone to forgive all the clutter on the "Ceiling".


Aw shucks ....Thanks again.
Sorry. Everything is homemade. I have been hacking away at it (one panel/piece at a time) for the last couple of years. I finally got enough of it done that this is the first time I've actually got it all put together.
If you want more details, I have been posting some of my progress here, in the Simpit Ideas thread of the EECH forum. (Be warned....That thread is getting epic in size.)

Yep. That's some old collar brass I pulled out of a drawer. I needed something to fill in where the Thrustmaster logo plates were. Considering they haven't been on my collar for 20 years, I thought they could use a new purpose. I did post more details on the rudder pedals (turned anti-torque pedals), in the Rudder Pedals thread but I guess it went unnoticed... Here you go. Anti-torque.pdf

Outstanding GizzlyT. Just oozes style.

It didn't go unnoticed, thank you Griz...

Problem is getting hold of the old Thrustmaster pedals - they are like Rocking horse droppings and go for quite large amounts on eBay!

Cheers

GrizzlyT I am humbled... And very impressed! Looks like I have a looooooog way to go STILL! Oy Veh!

Cool!....as long as it's motivational and not discouraging!


LOL - I think the same thing about my stuff, when I look at some of the "big tin" cockpits that those Project Magenta users are building. (The amount of switch I/O alone, is mind numbing.)

Thanks for showing us Griz - it is VERY motovational stuff! Very good to see what can be achieved with your level of dedication...

Thanks again and please keep the pics coming!

Cheers

Cool looking pit you got there!! Hopefully more projects of that magnitude will be build.

Hey thanks Ghost, Grizzly and Thunderbolt! I really appreciate it!
Ghost: I see you are using X-keys, but what is that MFD you've got? Homebuild is it? Anyway, nice pit, you plan on building some side panels to counter distractions like movement and light from the sides or is it not much of a factor?
Grizzly, that is one awesome bit of kit! I think that is the most sophysticated pit I have seen on these forums yet, and it's all functional? You better be proud of it!
TB: That's a nice retreat you build yourself there. Thanks for the info on the keybord arm, I was just pondering on where to put it. Nice solution, thanks.

Mine will be a civi helo pit. I plan on modding my old X-45: extend the stick with a bit of a curve but i'd like to keep it short. There is an example on hovercontrol if you search the simpit piccies. From the throttle i plan on making a collective that is connected to the base of the throttle by a push rod and i want to mount the grip on the collective end so i can still use it's full functionallity. I also have a set of Saitek pedals that i'll be using (unmodded).
The collective will be build in a center pedestal wich eventually will also house some switches for lights, gear, etc. Comms, avionics and a fuel/start panel will come between the pedestal and the instrument panel. The panel itself will house a 15" tft for displaying the instruments with plenty spare room on it for whatever I will add in the future. That'll keep me plenty busy for the coming weeks-months.

You're very welcome. I hope it gives you some ideas!


For the most part, yes.
The MFD/MPD screens are currently static images on light boxes but all the buttons work. Although, the center MFDs will be replaced with TFT LCD panels very soon thanks to mue's MFD exporter. Also, currently most of the warning lights in the top panel are static but thanks to Retro's comm server app I hope to get them responding to SIOC soon, too. (Not enough hours in the day.)


Well, I was!.....Until I realized that I forgot the mini fridge.

You're welcome, and, thank you. No not home made It's a CH Products MFP My ProThrottle and Throttle Quadrant are on drawer sliders that allow them to slide fore and aft so I can get into and out of this thing a lot easier. As for distractions, when I'm in "the zone" there are none

Grizzly, I have to say... Your pit is looking AMAZING!

I want one... bad

It is purely a work of love and craftsmanship.
I imagine it will be doubly good once you get the MFD's working. Now all you need is a 3 monitor Fresnel set up OR triple projectors.

my FW-190/D9 pit











~S~ Phyx

Man, that is a really nice pit. Very well thought out. Nice one pal, thanks for sharing.