TBM-900 Overhead Panel

A quick couple of photos that give some perspective as to the physical size of our fully-backlit TBM-900 Overhead Panel ...

 

LCD1000 updates

We've recently updated our LCD1000 units to have the five hot keys properly align with the EFD1000 gauge from Sim Innovations: https://buff.ly/4c4nKfK .

Whilst in the process of doing this, we also enhanced the imitation SD card slot, and made some slight adjustments to the engraving.

King Air SELCAL Panel

Located in the pedestal unit of the King Air B200 simulator we completed late last year, these photos show the SELCAL Panel. 

While this panel was designed as a dummy unit without the need for interfacing, we actually included a functional replica of a Korry-style switch. Pressing it activates a button fitted underneath, because we've learned that in simulators, a button that doesn't seem to work will only invite repeated attempts until it does. Therefore, incorporating a switch that operates—even if not essential—avoids this issue.

TBM-900 De-Icing System Panel

Photos don't always capture details such as the types of switches we use, so this video of our TBM-900 De-Icing Panel offers a more comprehensive view.

Please note that the panel is supplied without any wiring, so as to accommodate the variety of controllers our customers might use.  We do, however, supply a 20cm long connector wire for the 12V backlighting, although this is not shown in the video.

King Air Oxygen Valves

Here are a couple of photos showing the oxygen valves we recently built for a B200 simulator.

They replicate the actual aircraft's operation through a press-to-pull-out mechanism and are designed solely to provide tactile authenticity; they do not actually have functional roles within the simulator environment.

These oxygen valve panels are typically installed in the cabin's ceiling.

Beechcraft Duke design work

For a variety of reasons, not every project we start ends up being completed, which was the case for a Beechcraft Duke simulator that we started designing some panels for back in 2019. It was an interesting project, so here are some initial renderings of the (stalled) progress ...

We've never been asked about any Duke panels again, but if there's anyone out there intending to build or upgrade one, maybe we can help ... !

King Air Fire Buttons

Here's a quick video that shows the Fire Buttons being tested in the B200 simulator we finished several months ago. It's only a small component, but we're very pleased with the results, as it was a complex design in a tight space.

The simulator was being housed in another local company's warehouse by this stage, as it was too large for our own workshop, hence the ambient noise. If you listen closely though, you can hear the Fire Warning audio ...

Modular B200 Simulator Construction

On our recent build, we couldn't fit the entire B200 cockpit structure into our small workshop, so we assembled the main instrument panel separately, organised the wiring and interfacing, and verified proper operation before then fitting everything together for final testing and delivery. This arrangement also reduced the amount of time spent clambering between the seats and over the pedestal unit ... !

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.

King Air Cockpit Voice Recorder

Shown here already fitted into a pedestal console is the latest version of our B200 Cockpit Voice Recorder.

 Although not lit up in any of these photos, this panel includes an embedded 12V LED circuit board, which you can see in the photo that shows the panel from the rear.

The small gauge is a dummy unit only, and is not designed to be interfaced. Similarly, the microphone is not a real unit either.

B200 Fuel and Overhead Modules

Here are both the overhead module and the fuel module for the B200 simulator that we worked on last year.

Again, these versions are slightly different to those shown on our website, as they were both custom-built for training purposes and needed to reflect the specific layout of our customer's real aircraft.

The fuel gauges seen here are the GSA-061 models from Flight Illusion

B200 First Officer Left Panel

The majority of the panels we make use cool-white backlighting, although in this instance our customer required warm-white, which is closer to the look offered by traditional incandescent bulbs.

Because this panel is being used in a training environment, the necessary locking toggle switches were also fitted. These aren't standard on our panels, but we're always happy to discuss options such as this.

 

Basic MIP Layout for a Cessna Citation Simulator

To help anyone who might be building a Cessna Citation simulator, we now offer a very basic MIP design that can be downloaded for free from either our website (as part of our Citation panel documentation) or separately, from here: https://buff.ly/46NhLc1

This design is in DXF format, and contains the panel cutouts for all of the relevant Citation panels that we sell. The G1000 units, the audio panels, the GMC710, and the standby gauges, however, are merely placeholders designed to help you with layout planning. You can alter the DXF files to suit whichever products you intend to use.

B200 Pedestal Unit

 A few quick photos of our latest B200 Pedestal Unit ...

B200 Captain Right Panel

Another B200 panel that has a different configuration from the standard B200 panels that we sell. This panel was customised for the B200 simulator that we recently built for a local customer, and included all of the wiring!

Replica Pro Line Fusion Console Controls

Designed to emulate the Pro Line Fusion Console Controls, our PL-F Pedestal Assembly comes equipped with two Cursor Control Panels (CCP), a Multi-Function Keypad Panel (MKP), dual BARO Single Knob Panels, and a set of two TILT Single Knob Panels (SKP).

This complete module package includes dual controllers—one specifically for the MKP and another for the operation of the CCPs and SKPs.

Communication with the flight simulator is made possible through FSUIPC macros, requiring a valid FSUIPC license. Users have the freedom to generate customised macros for button and encoder interfacing. Technical details for serial port connections and command outputs are available upon request for those interested in crafting their own software solutions.

B200 ELT Panel and Housing

Also for the previously mentioned B200 simulator, situated just behind the Fuel Module on the Captain's side, this panel contains a replica Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), as well as a dummy gauge for the outside temperature. 

 

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.

 

 

B200 Captain Left Panel

Last year we overhauled an entire B200 simulator with a newly-designed set of panels that mimic those found in the real aircraft, as our customer was replicating it for training purposes.

Here are some photos of the Captain Left Panel ... 

TBM-900 Main Instrument Panel (DXF)

We're not in a position to be able to offer a full TBM-900 main instrument panel, although because we needed to draw up an initial design around which we could organise the panels that we do make, we thought that these drawings might provide a useful starting point for someone beginning to build a simulator, instead of the files simply hiding away in our file system ...

The DXF (along with a PDF file) can be downloaded directly from our website on the following page (you'll need to scroll through to find it): https://www.ruscool.co.nz/Panel-Cutouts-Dimensions/

Below is a quick image of the model from which the DXF is derived.

The measurements are not based on a real TBM-900 aircraft, so they will not be accurate for this, but the dimensions can be modified within your own drawing software to suit the width/height of your cockpit's construction.

The design was based around the use of 3mm aluminum, and the holes and cutouts for the following Ruscool Electronics parts are included (shown fitted below, with the exception of the 15" MFD):

    - Master Caution Button
    - Master Warning Button
    - De-Icing Panel
    - Park Brake Panel
    - Gear Panel
    - ECS Panel
    - CB Lighting Panel
    - Static Source Selector Panel
    - Crew Music Panel
    - 15" MFD Unit

The DXF for the main instrument panel only shows the hole cutouts and mounting screw positions of the aforementioned panels (not their outer dimensions), although the drawings for these can be downloaded from the same page as the MIP design.

There are, of course, still several other items needed for a full TBM cockpit that you'll want to include, but which we don't sell ourselves - such as the GMC710, the GCU475, and the G1000 units. These parts will need to be added to your design separately, and suppliers who manufacture these items will likely be able to provide you with the necessary dimensions so that you can incorporate them.