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!  

King Air Motorised Trim Unit

After having already sold a few of these motorised trim units over the past year or so - but never having had the time to actually get the product properly up on our website - these will finally be available through our site in the next week or so. (Oops, it was added quicker than I thought ... Link here)

This unit was originally designed for the King Air C90 simulator that we built for a flight school last year, although the entire throttle quadrant that we developed in doing so was based around the dimensions used in our King Air B200 construction drawings. [Note: We don't offer the TQ dimensions themselves as the originals were based around a particular product from a 3rd party that was a one-off design. We are, however, in the process of organising a basic King Air Throttle Kit, which will consist of various, unassembled aluminium levers, acrylic plates, knobs, etc.]

Anyway, back on topic, our complete Operational Elevator Trim Unit is supplied pre-assembled and consists of the following components:

• Trim Wheel (unpainted)
• Trim Dial (printed/laminated scale supplied)
• Gears and Belts
• Motor and Mount
• Motor Control System Circuit Board
• Pot to connect to your joystick controller
• Push-rod to connect trim dial to pot
• Physical stops to prevent over-travel

The mechanics of the unit is assembled on a shaped side-plate, and a corresponding side-plate for the other side is also supplied. These can then be screwed to the outer sections of your throttle console/pedestal, where they will then form the correct curve for the rest of your throttle lever assembly.

All you need to do is connect 12Volts DC to the control system as well as connect three wires to the centre-biased rocker switch in your yoke. The rocker switch will then control the forward and backward motion of the trim wheel. The geared down trim dial is connected via a pushrod to the pot (mounted on its own bracket), which will be wired to your joystick controller. (This will need to be set up in FSUIPC as the Elevator Trim input)

The trim wheel can be manually operated as well, as the motor torque has been purposely kept low so to allow it to readily stall.

Below is a short video from our YouTube channel showing the motorised trim actually in operation ...

Custom Annunciator Software

Subsequent to the annunciator panel that we recently designed for the Bell 206, we are currently working on an Annunciator Panel Program and Annunciator Controller Board that can be fully customised to control various annunciator lights. 

The reason for writing this software is because we’ve previously found it necessary to write (sometimes complex) work-arounds for various CAUTION / WARNING indicators because the actions themselves are not normally part of the operations within MSFS or FSUIPC. These calculations have been hard-coded into the various units that we've built for customers, but this means they cannot then be readily altered.

By providing this software as a stand-alone feature (in conjunction with our new Annunciator Controller Board) however, we're hoping it will allow cockpit builders a wider scope as to which annunciators they want to action and how they go about making this happen. Previously, all of this had to be done during the manufacturing/software writing process and required that we learn and understand the detailed operations of each aircraft type we worked on. Whilst we enjoy learning about this of course, simmers with specific knowledge about the actual aircraft they're building, will undoubtedly have a much more intimate knowledge of what they require.

Below is a quick sample of the configuration program showing how you can have multiple conditions to control each light (click on the image to get a readable view!). You can have a combination of conditions grouped together and there is also an ‘OR’ section so that you can set up a wide range of separate conditions to be implemented. By using the 'between' or 'equals' parameters, it is possible to set up most conditions you will need. The example shown here will turn ON the ROTOR LOW RPM annunciator when the Rotor RPM is between 0 and 90%, OR when the engine is not running. This means that the annunciator will only be OFF if the engine is running and the Rotor RPM is above 91% which is what we need of course.

Each annunciator can be named according to its function, and prior to any conditions being set up all of these fields will be empty.

This program operates with our Annunciator Controller Board, which has ribbon cable connections to our B206 Annunciator Panel, but is also easily connected to your own customised annunciator panel. When the program is run, you can see the annunciators being lit on the screen as well on the panel itself, but normally you would minimise this when flying your aircraft.

Note: For illustration purposes only, the above screenshot shows our 

annunciator software running alongside the default FS2004 Bell 206

Bell 206 Overhead Panel

Continuing with our range of Bell 206 simulation products, 

we have recently completed the development of the 

overhead panel, which has just this afternoon been 

finalised and assembled as a complete unit.

These panels are fully populated and the appropriate functions 

(relating to DodoSom) can be operated via one of our 64Input 
Boards, which has been especially coded for the Bell 206.

The majority of the circuit breakers you can see here are 

dummy units, although there are also four which can be 

manually 'pulled'. You can see one of these in the photo 

below with the red marker on display. The two circuit 

breakers to the right of this are also operational, 

as is the Field CB on the lower panel.

These panels are supplied with all of the appropriate 

switches fitted and even where there is no specific FS 

uses currently related to them (such as the Heat/Off/Vent) 

we have fitted the correct componentry regardless - 

as they can sometimes come in handy for other functions. 

An example of this is the 'HTR Start', where we've fitted 

a rotary encoder that operates the Difficulty Level 

(which is displayed in a hidden panel on the MIP 

we are doing the final assembly work on). 

Hopefully the above photograph reminds you of the DodoSim panel...!

And lastly, a closer view of the operational circuit breakers.

We haven't finalised all of the costings for this panel yet, 

as there are still some details regarding what we will offer on the 
software side of things. We're expecting to have a price for it in 

the next week or so, but we can always be contacted through 
our website before then if you have any questions.

Bell 206 Annunciator Panel

As well as continuing with the fixed wing variety, we've also been doing a lot of work lately with some new products related to helicopter flight simulation. More specifically, our new range will be based around the Bell 206. Our designs for these products have been geared around the DodoSim FSX206 software and to enable actual encoders, toggle switches, buttons, and circuit breakers to be used instead of key-presses and mouse-clicks, we have written special code for our I/O boards.

This specially written code allows the use of one each of our 64Input Boards and 64Output Boards to interface to the DodoSim FSX206 software through FSX and FSUIPC so that all of the following controls work correctly :

• Annunciators (including press to test)
• Fuel Valve Switch
• TOT Button
• Warning Mute Button
• GPS/NAV Switch
• Altimeter (QNH) setting Encoder
• Course setting Encoder
• Heading setting Encoder
• ADF setting Encoder
• VOR setting Encoder
• Hydraulic Switch
• Anti-Icing Switch
• Dim Caution Lights Switch
• Generator Switch
• Avionics Switch
• Battery Switch
• Position Lights Switch
• Instrument Lights Switch
• Anti-Collision Lights Switch
• Dir/Gyro Switch
• Pitot Heat Switch
• AFT Fuel Pump Circuit Breaker
• FORE Fuel Pump Circuit Breaker
• Caution (Annunciator) Circuit Breaker
• Generator Field Circuit Breaker
• Difficulty Level (We use a Rotary Encoder)
• Audio Ident Switches

The majority of this work has already been done and we've had the programs running in our workshop over the past few weeks. 

Matters of the more external nature took something of a leap forward yesterday however, with the completion of our newly-designed Bell 206 Annunciator Panel (shown below). 

The annunciators we've designed here are individual replicas of a korry 

we've had in our workshop for a while: a beautifully engineered work 

of art manufactured by Les Modeles Francais. 

Below is a photograph of one of our early prototypes 

alongside the original LMF Korry.

The fact that these annunciators are built as separate units means that they
are readily replaced or upgraded as per the needs of each individual
customer. As our software has been designed around the DodoSim
layout however, that is the typical configuration that we would supply.

This annunciator panel fits the Bell 206 MIP we've been developing also,
which is being constructed along similar lines to the
King Air MIP panels that we already sell.

Below are a series of photos which show the annunciators under different
conditions. The first, as attested to by the 'glass'(!), is under the bright
fluorescent light above one of our workspaces. The legends are readable
(though barely), and it's obvious that none of them are lit; hence all is well.

Below, in the same bright conditions, we now have one of the annunciators lit.

And finally, we see how the same annunciator would likely appear in a 

darkened simulator. The light bleed at the rear, and the wires extending 

from the LEDs, would not be seen in the final product of course, 

as these photos are presently just for demonstration purposes.

Once we have this annunciator panel fitted to the MIP and interacting

with FSX, we'll upload a video to our YouTube channel.

Operational Boeing IRS Panel

This is one of our latest products, an operating simulation 

of the IRS display panel used in Boeing aircraft.

The panel is 146mm wide and 114mm high, with the mounting holes 

(through dummy Dzus fasteners) in the correct positions.

The display window is 118mm wide and 15mm high, and shows N/S and 5 digits, 

and E/W and 6 digits. Small dots show the delineation between Degrees, Minutes, 

and Decimal Minutes, and the data is updated every second.

The DSPL SEL switch alters the display to show the appropriate data :

TEST Checks no digits have failed

TK/GS - Track and Ground Speed

PPOS - Present Position

WIND - Wind Direction and Speed

HDG/STS - Heading and Status

 The Keypad is a dummy feature only, as it is currently not possible 

to set the aircraft's position in this manner from within FS9 (or FSX)

The SYS DSPL switch is also dummy only, as most 

simulators don't have two redundant IRS systems.

The IRS panel is connected to our driver board with ribbon cables (shown to the right), 

and the board connects to the Flight Simulator PC via USB. The board needs 

5Volts DC to power it, and as we normally use a Computer Power Supply, 

we have already fitted the appropriate socket on the board.

The supplied software is simple to install, and the 

USB drivers for the board are supplied as well.

Below a short video from our YouTube channel describing some of its operation:

Purchasing details for this products can be found here

Boeing 727 Radios

As you might already know, one of our latest projects was to design and build an operational set of Boeing 727 Radios for a builder in Norway. After several weeks of email discussion, preliminary calculations, various prototypes, and copious amounts of bubble-wrap packaging, the completed radios were sent ... 

And below are some photographs that we've kindly been sent of the units now sitting in the real pedestal box for which they were designed  ...

Although the radios aren't hooked up to the simulator yet, the video below shows them being operated on our work bench prior to being sent. 

Following are a couple of links relating to this particular build

(links should open in a new window):

Thread at cockpitbuilders.com

Thread at MyCockpit.org

The audio in the above clip runs through a lot of their operation, 

although more details are available through our website.


Thanks Tor!