King Air Glareshield Annunciators: LCD Version

For the B200 simulator that we completed recently, we developed some new LCD Annunciator Panels to reflect those used in the real aircraft that we were basing our construction on. Here's a couple of photos of the Glareshield Annunciator Panel. 

Because of limitations related to the available sizes of TFT LCD screens, we essentially had to build this into the glareshield structure as we were putting it all together. As a result, unfortunately this item isn't currently in a state where we can offer it for general sale, although we may look into designing a more builder-friendly version in the future if there's enough interest.

Replica GCU477

The simulator that we built for a local company last year used software that already had its own G1000 built into it, although we're actually bypassing this and using our own 477 unit in conjunction with the G1000 hardware from EFIS Fly https://buff.ly/457BiSO

 

We designed and built this keypad to replicate the look and (more importantly) the function of the GCU477 from Garmin, and our software allows it to communicate directly with either the native simulator software or the EFIS Fly software. 

 

Housed in the central console, the 477 unit provides physical controls—knobs and buttons—for the G1000 NXi system. Waypoints, frequencies, and other navigation data can be entered via the 477, which then updates the corresponding fields on the G1000 NXi display.

 

 

Fusion Pedestal for King Air B350

As we've been documenting in the past few posts, here's the finished and fully-assembled pedestal panel that we recently completed for a King Air B350 simulator.

And a quick shot of the pedestal prior to painting and engraving etc.

Fusion-style MKP for the B350 Pedestal

The multifunction keyboard panel (MKP) is the third and final component that we manufactured for the B350 Pedestal Plate we completed recently. As mentioned in earlier posts, this module was based on the Pro Line Fusion range of hardware.

The Pan/Zoom knob is a four-direction hat switch, which also has encoder and pushbutton functions as well.

 A box header allows the unit to be connected to a controller via a 40-way ribbon cable.

There's no actual backlighting on the panel itself, but all of the buttonheads are illuminated.

Fusion-style CCP Panels for the B350

And so this is the second panel that we've designed for the King Air B350 pedestal unit that's based on the Pro Line Fusion range of hardware.

There's a pair of these to be found on the pedestal plate: one either side of the MKP (which we've also just completed, and which will be posted here shortly) ...

 

The large TAB knobs are all CNC-machined from acrylic, which gives them a nice solid feel.

The TAB knob operates a four-directional hat switch, that's also a single encoder, and which has a pushbutton action too. Unfortunately we weren't able to replicate the exact functionality of the real unit, as this actually calls for a dual encoder/hat switch combination - and with eight directions as well!

We tried our best to find a solution - one involving all sorts of internal gears that required the mounting of an additional hidden encoder - but in the end we were unfortunately forced to realise our limitations. Our solution actually got pretty close to working, but was nowhere near reliable enough to run with. Instead, the two separate TAB knobs are effectively one, as they're both mounted to the hat switch, albiet individually.

In the above image, you can see some remnants of our attempt at producing a makeshift dual-encoder hat switch, as this originally required a second hardware PCB (not shown) that would be positioned on a set of stand-offs which would then be mounted on the rear of the circuit board that you see here. So there's a lot of superfluous circuitry on display - not all of which can be explained by what's seen from the front!

The panel's backlighting, and that of the buttonheads, runs on 12V.

Fusion-style Tilt and Baro Panels for the B350

These are the first couple of simulation panels that we've been working on for a B350 pedestal unit that's based around the use of Pro Line Fusion hardware.

 

 

 

 

These fully-backlit panels run on 12V.

 

 

 

 

 

In the above image, you can see the sub-mounting plate that the individual Tilt and Baro panels are fitted to. This mounting plate is then fitted to a larger pedestal plate, which will be shown in subsequent posts.

 

 

B350 Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Panel

Below are some images of our King Air B350 Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Panel, which has recently been added to our product range.

The backlighting is run on 12V.

And this is what the panel looks like from the rear ...

B350 Audio Panels

Below are some photos of the B350 Audio Panels that we manufactured for a customer's simulator recently. 

First, the Captain's side ...

 

 

And then the First Officer's side, which is basically a mirrored version of the Captain's side ...

B350 Reversionary Panels

Below are some photos of two separate B350 Reversionary Panels that we've made recently.

The first panel shown here is based on the Pro Line Fusion Reversionary Panel.

In the above photos, you'll notice that the are no Korry switches fitted. This is because our customer will be using real Korry 389 switches in their simulator, which will be fitted at a later date. 

During the design process, however, they were kind enough to send several Korry 389's to us, so that we could verify the correct fit. Below are the results ...

Both of these reversionary panel variations have also been designed so that we can mount our own replica Korry switches if needed, and it's these which are shown in the photographs of the B350 Standard Reversionary Panel below ...

The large white panel that's shown in the above images is simply a mounting plate designed to keep the panels safe during transit, as they're surprisingly long (550mm) but only 40mm high, which leaves them a little fragile when it comes to shipping.

PL21 Autopilot Unit

Based on the Pro Line 21 autopilot, we've recently added the PL21 Autopilot Unit to our list of products. This unit is supplied complete with a controller board for communicating via USB to a simulator. 

The unit is fully backlit, as shown in the above photograph.

A small software program is included, which can be used to send commands from the panel to a compatible simulator that has a registered version of FSUIPC, but there is also the ability to communicate directly with the Arduino controller. This allows you the option of writing your own software. Full communication details will of course be provided.