64 Input Board - Update

We're also in the final stages of testing an update to the 64 Input Board in which the user can now specify whether individual inputs should be switches or momentary pushbuttons. This remedies a reported issue where switches were occasionally being misread and stored as momentary pushbuttons. 

Previous to this latest update, our software would automatically determine the input action as either momentary or static. This, however, meant that sometimes a switch could be rendered inactive if the system happened to misinterpret the function as a momentary action. The physical manifestation of this would be the affected switch appearing to become 'stuck' and non-operational until the software had been restarted. 

In order to resolve this, the user can now individually define the required action of each input in the configuration program itself (as indicated by the red section of the screenshot below) ...

You might also notice that the Bytes column is no longer used in order to streamline the user interface. 

This update will be made available in the Software section on our website shortly.

Note: We try to provide various ways and means of keeping our customers informed about such updates via Twitter (also tracking on our homepage), MailChimp, our Support Forum and, of course, this blog.

64 Outputs Board: Lamp Test Function

Due to a customer's suggestion, we are now incorporating a lamp test function into our 64 Output programs. This update is now in the final stages of development and will be made available through our website once fully tested. 

This addition allows the user to flag a selection of outputs that they wish to have included as part of a lamp test. For example, all outputs confined to a particular panel (say, the annunciators) can be flagged for a lamp test. The user then assigns an offset which will be used to trigger the lamp test, so that when this offset is changed the outputs that have been 'flagged' will then be lit. This offset can be changed via either Flight Sim, a Ruscool 64 Input Board, or any other means available (as long as the offset changes, the lamp test will be triggered). 

Another slight modification to our 64OUTS is that the Bytes column has been replaced with a Calculation column instead, which means that the On/Off or Range values can now be set to the 'calculated' data as opposed the 'raw' data. This information is more useful as it reflects what is actually seen in Flight Sim. 

Below is a screenshot highlighting the changes ...

Cessna Citation Switch Panel

Having just supplied one of these panels to a customer recently, it was good chance for us to finally take some decent photographs of a fully populated unit, as previously all of our Citation panels have either been fitted and populated off-site or have been supplied as separate components. We've never had a completed panel actually here in our workshop in front of us - hence the basic unpopulated pics on our website!

Also, due to several requests, we've recently decided to try and supply clear backing plates for each of our panels where possible. This is usually a fairly uncomplicated process as any necessary recesses have been built into the rear of the main engraved panel itself - and it makes sense, as we already have the correct shapes and sizings etc. The photograph below hopefully gives an idea of how it's fitted and how it works ...

As a result of doing all this, it makes sense for us to actually fit all of the components in our workshop as well, which also provides us one last chance to verify that all of the parts are both present and fit as they should.

With this particular panel (as with most), the rear backing plate upon which the componentry is mounted has been designed to sit just inside of the confines of the main panel. This allows it to be fitted into position and screwed securely into place from the front, whilst also keeping the panel's height above it's housing kept to a standard 6mm. 

The backing panels are generally supplied in clear acrylic to allow builders the ability to backlight the panels via flooding the area with light (floodlighting) or however else they might choose.

Bell 206 MIP

Here are the latest photos of the Bell 206 MIP that we've been developing in conjunction with our other B206 components. The MIP, the Overhead, and the Annunciator Panel will eventually all be interfaced with our own software/hardware and offered as a combined unit. 

The photos below show the MIP temporarily positioned (or rather, strategically balanced) in front of the 22" LCD monitor that it's been designed around, with the glareshield sitting carefully on top. This is essentially a mock-up as the separate parts aren't fitted together yet due to us still having a few small adjustments and finishing touches to make before it's 100% complete. Hopefully it gives a good idea of what we're striving to achieve though ...

The Annunciator Panel is fitted to the MIP in these photos, although the circuitry in behind it hasn't yet been fitted. As of this morning, however, we are now in possession of the new circuit boards we designed in support of these new products but it'll take us a few days to populate and program them. Once this has been done (and we get some time) we'll try to upload a video of the MIP actually in use. 

Although not currently on our website, all of these parts can be purchased now. Please feel free to contact us via here if you wish to find out more details or discuss your requirements with us. We'll be putting up some prices on this blog etc. in the next few days ...

PS. Also just received in the mail today are the real aviation circuit breakers that we'll be fitting to the Overhead Panel in preference to the operational replicas that we were originally going to supply. The real units - aside from the obvious tactile realism - also offer some advantages on the programming side of things!