As 2016 is passing along quickly, it seemed a good time to provide a overall update. Also, a major milestone in my cockpit building adventure has been reached. With the rudder pedal installation, I have finally removed the last piece of non-737 specific hardware in my cockpit. No more GA equipment means a full Boeing commitment.
More importantly, I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of my visitors for your continuous support. Maintaining this site motivates me as much as the flying does, so I appreciate all of your comments, feedback, and questions!
So far, I currently have the following hardware installed:
- JetMax SKTQ
- Simujabs B737 Yoke Control Column
- Simujabs B737 Rudder Pedals
- IPECO 737 Pilot Seat
- CPFlight MCP Pro
- CPFlight EFIS Pro (x2)
- CPFlight Forward Overhead Panel
- CPFlight Aft Overhead Panel
- CPFlight Complete Pedestal
- Flight Illusion Flap, Yaw Damper, & Chronometer gauges
- Programmable 24-key keypad
- My custom Flight Officer-side control panel/displays
I built a mobile wooden base to mount it all on. This allows me to move the entire simulator to get behind the MIP and access my two computers:
On these computers, I have the following software installed:
- Lockheed Martin Prepar3D v3 (P3D) – Primary
- Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) – Secondary
- ProSim737 (avionics suite)
- Orbx FTX Global Base (scenery update)
- HiFi Technologies ActiveSky Next (weather engine)
- REX 4 | Texture Direct (texture updates)
- PrecipitFX (precipitation textures)
- Navigraph Manager (AIRAC Navdata updates)
- Ultimate Terrain X v2 USA (terrain/meh updates)
- My Traffic 6 (AI traffic)
- AivlaSoft EFB (Electronic Flight Bag)
- FSDreamTeam GSX (ground services)
- Taxi2Gate KSEA (airport scenery)
- FlightSimSoft PFPX (flight planning)
- FlightSimSoft TOPCAT (performance calculations)
- WPSlider’s ProSimUtils (CDU applications)
- Pete Dowson’s FSUIPC (SimConnect interface)
- Pete Dowson’s WideFS (not in use yet)
I wrote a few articles along the way to explain some processes I went through and resources I discovered:
- Overhead Overload (Overhead Panel selection)
- What the Yoke? (Yoke selection)
- Tricking Addons with P3D/FSX Steam
- Kick Your Keyboard Out (Adding a Keypad)
- Choosing Your Charts
- The Bill Bulfer Books
I also added an External Links page to act as an online directory for the many products and other simmers out there today.
TIP: Don’t forget to check out my Visuals page, it is like a running timeline of my cockpit build!
Back when I decided on building only half of the cockpit (SSTD), this is what I imagined it looking like. Now, it is time to just fly the thing. Perhaps I will finally start using my VATSIM account and look at virtual airlines to join. Either way, I think I have finally earned some time off to just enjoy it.
Of course, this does not mean I am actually finished. Are we ever really done? I do have a list of things I am considering in the near future:
- A better audio setup with multiple speaker locations
- SimWorld gauges if they are better than the Flight Illusion ones
- Motorized Throttle Quadrant
- Perhaps a more realistic column yoke and/or pedals
- More scenery/airports
As for the distant future, and if I can find the space, perhaps I will be able to expand. In that case, the list grows even longer:
- Entire cockpit shell and interior
- Full dual-seater MIP
- Linked Yokes/Rudder Pedals (perhaps with feedback)
- Three projectors and wraparound screen
I know some people may not find this post all that interesting, but it does allow me to keep track of where I was, where I am, and where I want to go with the simulator. I hope it was informative and thank you again for stopping by.
P.S. A keen eye will note the model in the photograph is the new Boeing 737-8 MAX. I am just an avid 737 fan and will be keeping my as it is. Going to the MAX cockpit is not feasible right now, and I like all the buttons, knobs, and switches in the NG!