Aircraft Aviation

Sunday 3rd July 2011 New features: - The Battery Panel has been installed! This is monumental because it features our very first "Korry Switch"; which took 4 weeks to design and install. A Korry Switch is a switch with an annunciator built inside it. You cannot see these annunciators unless they are lit (similar to the BIP from Saitek, although it's a totally different ballgame). The second column is looking really smart! Time to update the first post again. Next, we will install the APU generator panel; SIX Korry Switches! Photographs: If you're wondering why the annunciator is

HAHA LOL John at your electionic adventure in post #1. Of course, it's all lies... :th_smiles73: :th_smiles73: :th_smiles73:

[Also posted at JF] Alas, the rumours are true!!! I had a fantastic week at JF; certainly worth the 4 hour journey as most of the placements in my area were utter rubbish (ie boring, uninteresting stuff). I must say that I looked forward to being there every day; not only because of the side-splitting exchanges between Martyn and Phil, but also because I got a chance to work "behind the scenes" at JF and get into some real software/support work. I hope that I proved myself useful during the course of the week, and I'd once again like to say thanks to JF for an outstanding experience! I'

Hi Tom, Seperate out the wires as much as you want. For example, if your switches are located a long way from the Card, you'll need to seperate all the way down to the master card to get a good wire length. If, however, your switches are right next to your card, then only seperate out what you need. Also, get a pair of wire strippers handy, as you'll need to strip the ends off the wires so that the metal core shows (so you can solder/connect it to things). Jack

Hi John, That is correct. As 0 IS counted and 71 IS counted it is correct to say 0-71, not 1-72. I just thought it would be easier to explain that way; alot of people say that zero doesn't count, etc, etc... Jack

Hi Tom, You should now seperate the cable into its individual 40 wires. One end is in the master card; leave that there. The other end, which has the cut 40 cables on, should be seperated out until you can touch each cable individually and connect it to whatever you want. So yes, for now, just seperate out the 40 wires so that they're free to connect. Jack

Hi John/Dai, The OC USB Axes Card will handle up to 24 joystick buttons, but they must be connected in a Matrix (like a keyboard). Jack

Tom, as far as I know, both ends are exactly the same (40-pin Female). Tip: Cut of the end that will give you the most "length". EG: C = Connector --- = Wires C--------------------C----------------------------------------------------C Here, for example, you would plug the "C" on the far right into the card, and snip just before (on the right hand side) the middle "C". I appreciate it is a strange text example, but I'm pretty sure your IDC cable looks like that. Jack

Hi Tom, Provided that all 40 female pins fit into the 40 male pins, that is correct. Now, snip the other end off so you have one end in the master card, and the other end with just the chopped off wires showing.

Hi Tom, Please may you post a photograph? Cheers, Jack

Whilst I manually tweak my cfg file, I know that Joe has experience with this particular program (and, clearly, Rob has too). It's just a case of justifying the price for the product. In my opinion, I won't need it for my PC, but other people seriously appreciate the performance boost it provides. Jack :001_th_smiles89:

Welcome to the forums, Archammer! I hope you enjoy it here. :icon_thumbup:

Hi everyone, I have updated the first post. It should now contain zero errors, and accurately depicts the progress of column 2, of which we are of course currently building. It also contains a little extra information now. As always, please check the first post for up to date progress and an overview, and check my last "Blog" post for latest news, updates and pictures. Jack

Any good Mods? Oh MODs! Damn, I was about to nomiate myself :phew: :icon_thumbup: :icon_thumbup: . Seriously though, sceneryw-se Aerosoft and FTX is your best bet. However, for small-scale UK areas, check out some of the Earth Simulations products, they are engineered to a very high standard. Jack

Hi Tom, Now that they are recognised and working, you should connect a 40-pin female IDC cable (ribbon cable) connector to your desired "Block". There are 4 blocks. One isn't used (well, not useful for you. It powers a displays card which I have, but you don't). One is for outputs, and the other two are for inputs. Check below for which input block you need to use. It should be the first one logically. IE: There are 72 inputs. J3 handles 0-35 J4 handles 36-72 Use Block J3. Regards, Jack

Hi Tom, this should help: Jack

Tom, This connection is made via a parallel port cable. Te be fair, no cable is required to connect the two cards. You'll notice the master card (male) plugs right into the USBExpansion Card (female). There is, however, a metal sheaf in the way of the connection (just try it). Simply unscrew this sheaf adn you're away. Jack

Hi Tom, Firstly, have you established a firm connection between the master card and the USBExpansion card? I also reccommend you download and install the SIOC software package from Opencockpits' website. Without it, you cannot test or interface your switches. Regards, Jack

Hi George, To be fair, when flying, I spent much too much time with the trim wheel than I should. When in the cruise, my left hand handles the yoke, and my right hand is often glued to the trim wheel. I must confess, it works, I can honestly say that my desired pitch is held perfectly. As John has said, it really is second nature. I don't even realise I'm doing it half the time. Trim is, however, a friend not a foe, and should primarily be used to relieve the physical force on your arms through the yoke. I fly at Netherthorpe, Warsop, where you have absolutely no room for error. A mistake

Joe, I would avoid the VRI Pit. It is little more than an emulated keyboard that "clamps" over a monitor. It is much better to build your own gauges and hardware; it feels much more real (I can tell you, I prefer my 6 instrument panel over the VRI Pit any day). If not, then I would certainly choose the Saitek instruments over the Pit; they are a moer reasonable price. Great start Brian, it looks fabulous! Regards, Jack

Of course not Brian. Oh, and by the way, it's phone(s); both inbound and outbound pilots were guilty of the cellular crime!!! Yes Stu you are correct, they produce very minor effects but nothing serious, however everything and anything is taken as a precaution in aviation. Max, yes, please feel free to use the pictures (especially the duct pressure gauge; should help loads) for the CNC millers. Regards, Jack

Hi max, I am pretty sure they are a bit too "Greyish" and not dark enough, they need to be more brown. For the 737 it's easy, all the RAL codes are publicly published everywhere. The 767 is harder for obtaining accurate colours in my opinion. Regards, Jack :001_th_smiles89:

I can't belive you noticed! :001_th_smiles89: The mobile phones were certainly a talking point for us! Interesting that both the IN and OUT bound pilots had their phones smothered over the fire handles! Eek! Regards, Jack

Monday 6th June 2011 New Hardware Additions: - The HF Panel has been fully fitted! - I have purchased, received and fully installed my second Opencockpits MasterCard, to accomodate all the inputs/outputs required for the overhead project - A full test has been carried out on both the EVAC and "Annunciator Cluster" panels. They both passed with flying colours Photographs: Upcoming Hardware Additions: - The Battery Panel consruction is in full swing. This panel gives us a chance to try out our brand new Korry Switches design - Although I have previously posted pictures

Thanks Joe and Kieran. Indeed, I did feel at home in the good ol' 757, and the Captain even wished me "good luck with the Sim build!". Jack