- Welcome to 744 Forum.
News:
Precision Simulator update 10.173 (24 February 2024) is now available.
Navburo update 13 (23 November 2022) is now available.
NG FMC and More is released.
Recent posts
#71
Hangar 7 / Re: General 744 (748) events f...
Last post by Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers - Sun, 7 Apr 2024 09:44https://avherald.com/h?article=51715e58&opt=0
Incident: Lufthansa B748 near Amsterdam on Apr 5th 2024, faulty fire alarm system
Incident: Lufthansa B748 near Amsterdam on Apr 5th 2024, faulty fire alarm system
#72
Accessories / Winwing MFD with USB 3.0 displ...
Last post by Swiso - Sun, 7 Apr 2024 07:02Hello,
By chance anyone has any input in regard to these devices ? Would they work with PSX as IDU ?
https://winwingsim.com/view/goods-details.html?id=417
Eventually are there any better alternatives? (More or less for the same price..)
Many thanks.
AA
By chance anyone has any input in regard to these devices ? Would they work with PSX as IDU ?
https://winwingsim.com/view/goods-details.html?id=417
Eventually are there any better alternatives? (More or less for the same price..)
Many thanks.
AA
#73
Accessories / Re: MCP EICAS +2 EFIS Availabi...
Last post by asboyd - Sun, 7 Apr 2024 04:48Hi Guys,
I just want to say I was not having a shot at the cost of simulation panels, just the original aircraft panels.
As far as Sim panels go I was buying from Opencockpit until the cost of shipping went through the roof.
For example a circuit kit which cost 12 Euros to buy, cost 40+ Euros to ship to Australia. Most of the shipping rates went up rapidly when Covid hit and due to other world events have never come back down.
(I was even thinking of a trip to Europe with an empty suitcase to buy parts and bring them back with me
).
I have been a flight simmer since Microsoft released Flight Simulator for PC (old wireframe graphics) and even had a copy for my old Commodore 64.....
The reason I am building a cockpit is due to me being fascinated with electronics (38 years in ICT as well) and I love to build things...
I am sure there are many simmers that do not build cockpits and I have been one for many years.
I just like to challenge myself.
It is great to be part of a sim community where everyone is so helpful and supportive. I try to play my part and will help out were I can..
Cheers,
AlexB
I just want to say I was not having a shot at the cost of simulation panels, just the original aircraft panels.
As far as Sim panels go I was buying from Opencockpit until the cost of shipping went through the roof.
For example a circuit kit which cost 12 Euros to buy, cost 40+ Euros to ship to Australia. Most of the shipping rates went up rapidly when Covid hit and due to other world events have never come back down.
(I was even thinking of a trip to Europe with an empty suitcase to buy parts and bring them back with me
).I have been a flight simmer since Microsoft released Flight Simulator for PC (old wireframe graphics) and even had a copy for my old Commodore 64.....
The reason I am building a cockpit is due to me being fascinated with electronics (38 years in ICT as well) and I love to build things...
I am sure there are many simmers that do not build cockpits and I have been one for many years.
I just like to challenge myself.
It is great to be part of a sim community where everyone is so helpful and supportive. I try to play my part and will help out were I can..
Cheers,
AlexB
#74
Hangar 7 / Re: YouTube's "Captain Joe" Ta...
Last post by Hardy Heinlin - Sat, 6 Apr 2024 23:46Yep. Great sim. Oliver is also a forum member :-)
#75
Hangar 7 / YouTube's "Captain Joe" Takeof...
Last post by John H Watson - Sat, 6 Apr 2024 23:13 #76
Accessories / Little Navmap
Last post by B747-400 - Sat, 6 Apr 2024 13:42Hi guys,
just playing around with Little Navmap.
Are there PSX 747 performance files out there? I could not find any infos in the forum.
Thx, have a nice weekend
Hans
just playing around with Little Navmap.
Are there PSX 747 performance files out there? I could not find any infos in the forum.
Thx, have a nice weekend
Hans
#77
Accessories / Re: MCP EICAS +2 EFIS Availabi...
Last post by b744erf - Sat, 6 Apr 2024 05:49Hello my friends
I'm delighted to know that there are more new members joining the PSX family. This year marks my tenth year since I purchased my PSX. The joy and excitement I felt when I opened the package containing the PSX discs shipped from Europe in 2014 are still fresh in my memory. Over these ten years, I've transitioned from being a laptop player to a Sim builder, and now I've finally built my dream cockpit entirely using OEM parts. PSX has truly fulfilled my childhood dream.
All the components I currently use are OEM, primarily utilizing Simstack and SIOC drivers. Simstack is mainly employed for powering high-power components like backlighting for all panels. Meanwhile, SIOC drives the open cockpit's I/O board for almost all Input-Output functions, including automatic throttle and spoiler motor control. Some may wonder how SIOC can drive high-power incandescent lamps at 28V. In reality, I utilize the output signal of the Open Cockpit board to drive an external PLC driver board, thus achieving low-power output driving high-power output. Additionally, the PWM signal output from the Open Cockpit motor board can also drive high-power backlighting with an external MOS board. Therefore, SIOC is nearly universal. I must express my gratitude to PSXSeecon for connecting SIOC with PSX, enabling me to drive OEM components at low cost.
I hope more friends can join the PSX family, and I especially hope to see more 747 Simulator builders come together to realize their dreams.
Regards
Jack
I'm delighted to know that there are more new members joining the PSX family. This year marks my tenth year since I purchased my PSX. The joy and excitement I felt when I opened the package containing the PSX discs shipped from Europe in 2014 are still fresh in my memory. Over these ten years, I've transitioned from being a laptop player to a Sim builder, and now I've finally built my dream cockpit entirely using OEM parts. PSX has truly fulfilled my childhood dream.
All the components I currently use are OEM, primarily utilizing Simstack and SIOC drivers. Simstack is mainly employed for powering high-power components like backlighting for all panels. Meanwhile, SIOC drives the open cockpit's I/O board for almost all Input-Output functions, including automatic throttle and spoiler motor control. Some may wonder how SIOC can drive high-power incandescent lamps at 28V. In reality, I utilize the output signal of the Open Cockpit board to drive an external PLC driver board, thus achieving low-power output driving high-power output. Additionally, the PWM signal output from the Open Cockpit motor board can also drive high-power backlighting with an external MOS board. Therefore, SIOC is nearly universal. I must express my gratitude to PSXSeecon for connecting SIOC with PSX, enabling me to drive OEM components at low cost.
I hope more friends can join the PSX family, and I especially hope to see more 747 Simulator builders come together to realize their dreams.
Regards
Jack
#78
Accessories / Re: MCP EICAS +2 EFIS Availabi...
Last post by JG - Sat, 6 Apr 2024 04:03G'day Seb, Alex and anyone else following.
Let me start by saying that PSX is so good you don't need a full cockpit layout to enjoy it and the fact it can be used with a laptop or interfaced into an actual flight deck is testimony to how much thought and intelligence has been applied to its implementation! Then there is the overwhelming generosity of those who over so many years have created add on software to enhance what is already a spectacular piece of work. For my part, being new on the scene like Seb, and in keeping with the sharing spirit of the PSX community, I can only offer my insights into the experience so far of building a PSX based cockpit, a dream held since first seeing it in Beta version and only now being realised due to having the time after retirement.
There are many reasons why decisions are made about the correct approach to a build depending on individual case finance, space, power and time availability. For many like me, it'll be a combination of all 4.
Alex, I agree the price asked for replica components is exorbitant, but too understand there are tooling costs and market pressures that drive price and availability. 747 builders are always going to struggle for these reasons. So into the sharing bit. An example of improvisation to cater for the constraints applied by practicality. To build the tillers for my sim I needed a self centering potentiometer arrangement mimicking the look in the actual cockpit. The solution was a door handle that by virtue is self centering, with the needed bits added to make it functional and appear as it should. There are many examples like this in my sim. Yokes are cut down trust master Boeing edition, mechanically not connected but electronically they work absolutely as they should, conflict between the two yokes as in real life is sorted out by the Capt and FO communicating. They look almost like the real thing, cost many thousands less and offer many extra controls utilised to work scenery monitor layout and sim features like pause and motion hold. The TQ is cut down Honeycomb Bravo. I modified the reverser switches to make a pulse at each movement instead of being on for reverse and off for forward. The Thrustmaster rudder pedals move back and forth for different pilots electrically using industrial automatic door actuators. Easier to build that than the winding mechanical business in the real aircraft. Seats and "J" rails done for a few hundred dollars instead of 8000 euro before tax and freight to buy off the shelf replicas! The list of these improvisations is endless....and I've only been building less than a year. Too much time on my hands I guess.
My overhead panel will remain touch screens, as will my pedestal....it works very well for things that don't require changing in a big hurry or are simple push buttons. I have no problem operating the touch screen representation of the CDU's. I'm going tactile for MCP and EFIS because you need quick changes and touch screens for rotating controls are fiddly. Because of the layout this means a tactile lower EICAS control panel too, but only for looks.
My interface of choice is Simstack because of the spectacular support offered and the fact it uses readily available electronics hardware. It is incredibly flexible supporting all forms of active high or low, PWM and changeable voltage inputs to feed outputs of differing needs. It is designed to work with PSX and so uses the same variable set and integer values making the only required bridging software Simstack Switch which protects the PSX server and filters the variable stream to each Simstack client to those only required by that Simstack. This removes the need for big serial buffers and greatly reduces network traffic. I would say that Simstack can interface any piece of hardware to PSX regardless of whether or not it is OEM or replica. No, I'm not a Simstack expert, or a programming genius, but I do know a thing or two about electronics. The guys at Sim Solutions do programming for those like me who find it a black art! Though after a relatively short time of self teaching I think I have a pretty good idea of how the programming works, so please don't be put off by programming complexity, it really isn't especially if you already have knowledge of C or C++ which I don't.
You have seen my previous posts about parts and module availability. Open Cockpits offers solid solutions to many 747 builder problems. If you're using modules, do your research into software interfaces very carefully. Hispapanels too have some good stuff. Two others, that have some hard to come by goodies are simparts.de, these guys do a great range of pot and encoder covers. Propwash Simulations in the US also have some hard to find bits. Unfortunately, being in Australia makes purchases from a lot of international suppliers nonviable due to freight and tax costs......So out comes the 3D printer.
Another of the problems faced is concentric controls, stacked rotary encoder/switch combinations can be bought off the shelf. Knobs and covers for these can be difficult. The one you just can't get anywhere.... rotary switch/encoder-switch combinations, like that of bank/heading/select on the MCP as well as Baro/Mode/Standard and Minimums/Mode/Reset of the EFIS. I've seen all manner of complicated mechanical solutions using gears and discrete components. It is far simpler to keep it axial if rearward space is available. The cheap 12 position rotary switches readily available have an indexing plate to make them any number of positions you need up to 12. They can also be easily dismantled and the shaft drilled with a 3mm bore to take a central rod for connection to an encoder/switch mounted behind it. You really need a small lathe to do this, but there is a video floating about on You Tube showing this managed with a drill press.
So having diverged from the original theme of the post, if anyone wants more info on what I've done I'm happy to share it. Just add a post.
Cheers, J.G.
Let me start by saying that PSX is so good you don't need a full cockpit layout to enjoy it and the fact it can be used with a laptop or interfaced into an actual flight deck is testimony to how much thought and intelligence has been applied to its implementation! Then there is the overwhelming generosity of those who over so many years have created add on software to enhance what is already a spectacular piece of work. For my part, being new on the scene like Seb, and in keeping with the sharing spirit of the PSX community, I can only offer my insights into the experience so far of building a PSX based cockpit, a dream held since first seeing it in Beta version and only now being realised due to having the time after retirement.
There are many reasons why decisions are made about the correct approach to a build depending on individual case finance, space, power and time availability. For many like me, it'll be a combination of all 4.
Alex, I agree the price asked for replica components is exorbitant, but too understand there are tooling costs and market pressures that drive price and availability. 747 builders are always going to struggle for these reasons. So into the sharing bit. An example of improvisation to cater for the constraints applied by practicality. To build the tillers for my sim I needed a self centering potentiometer arrangement mimicking the look in the actual cockpit. The solution was a door handle that by virtue is self centering, with the needed bits added to make it functional and appear as it should. There are many examples like this in my sim. Yokes are cut down trust master Boeing edition, mechanically not connected but electronically they work absolutely as they should, conflict between the two yokes as in real life is sorted out by the Capt and FO communicating. They look almost like the real thing, cost many thousands less and offer many extra controls utilised to work scenery monitor layout and sim features like pause and motion hold. The TQ is cut down Honeycomb Bravo. I modified the reverser switches to make a pulse at each movement instead of being on for reverse and off for forward. The Thrustmaster rudder pedals move back and forth for different pilots electrically using industrial automatic door actuators. Easier to build that than the winding mechanical business in the real aircraft. Seats and "J" rails done for a few hundred dollars instead of 8000 euro before tax and freight to buy off the shelf replicas! The list of these improvisations is endless....and I've only been building less than a year. Too much time on my hands I guess.
My overhead panel will remain touch screens, as will my pedestal....it works very well for things that don't require changing in a big hurry or are simple push buttons. I have no problem operating the touch screen representation of the CDU's. I'm going tactile for MCP and EFIS because you need quick changes and touch screens for rotating controls are fiddly. Because of the layout this means a tactile lower EICAS control panel too, but only for looks.
My interface of choice is Simstack because of the spectacular support offered and the fact it uses readily available electronics hardware. It is incredibly flexible supporting all forms of active high or low, PWM and changeable voltage inputs to feed outputs of differing needs. It is designed to work with PSX and so uses the same variable set and integer values making the only required bridging software Simstack Switch which protects the PSX server and filters the variable stream to each Simstack client to those only required by that Simstack. This removes the need for big serial buffers and greatly reduces network traffic. I would say that Simstack can interface any piece of hardware to PSX regardless of whether or not it is OEM or replica. No, I'm not a Simstack expert, or a programming genius, but I do know a thing or two about electronics. The guys at Sim Solutions do programming for those like me who find it a black art! Though after a relatively short time of self teaching I think I have a pretty good idea of how the programming works, so please don't be put off by programming complexity, it really isn't especially if you already have knowledge of C or C++ which I don't.
You have seen my previous posts about parts and module availability. Open Cockpits offers solid solutions to many 747 builder problems. If you're using modules, do your research into software interfaces very carefully. Hispapanels too have some good stuff. Two others, that have some hard to come by goodies are simparts.de, these guys do a great range of pot and encoder covers. Propwash Simulations in the US also have some hard to find bits. Unfortunately, being in Australia makes purchases from a lot of international suppliers nonviable due to freight and tax costs......So out comes the 3D printer.
Another of the problems faced is concentric controls, stacked rotary encoder/switch combinations can be bought off the shelf. Knobs and covers for these can be difficult. The one you just can't get anywhere.... rotary switch/encoder-switch combinations, like that of bank/heading/select on the MCP as well as Baro/Mode/Standard and Minimums/Mode/Reset of the EFIS. I've seen all manner of complicated mechanical solutions using gears and discrete components. It is far simpler to keep it axial if rearward space is available. The cheap 12 position rotary switches readily available have an indexing plate to make them any number of positions you need up to 12. They can also be easily dismantled and the shaft drilled with a 3mm bore to take a central rod for connection to an encoder/switch mounted behind it. You really need a small lathe to do this, but there is a video floating about on You Tube showing this managed with a drill press.
So having diverged from the original theme of the post, if anyone wants more info on what I've done I'm happy to share it. Just add a post.
Cheers, J.G.
#79
Accessories / Re: PSXseecon version 3.23 rel...
Last post by QuadFan - Fri, 5 Apr 2024 16:36Today I managed to get it all to work (version 3.29 for now) 
I focused on SIOC first, with some testscripts, compiling and monitoring. After understanding what PSXseecon was trying to find and expect it started to work ('static' for the variables was one of the issues). Buttons, LEDs and rotary encoders all work now. So onto deciding what 747 panels to go with, which to build first and go spend some money
One step closer in the homebuilt 747 cockpit plan!
I focused on SIOC first, with some testscripts, compiling and monitoring. After understanding what PSXseecon was trying to find and expect it started to work ('static' for the variables was one of the issues). Buttons, LEDs and rotary encoders all work now. So onto deciding what 747 panels to go with, which to build first and go spend some money
One step closer in the homebuilt 747 cockpit plan!
#80
Accessories / Re: PSX.NET.vPilot
Last post by Jamie - Thu, 4 Apr 2024 16:10Sorry to bump this thread, but I still have problems using this plugin: the DecimalFix version doesn't seem to work without changing the system to use a period "." as decimal separator. Maybe I've overlooked a setting somewhere?
I did use the https://www.dropbox.com/s/pxpzbz4eyphzorf/DecimalFix.zip?dl=1 version, doesn't seem to do the trick unfortunately, so I'm probably doing it wrong :-)
I did use the https://www.dropbox.com/s/pxpzbz4eyphzorf/DecimalFix.zip?dl=1 version, doesn't seem to do the trick unfortunately, so I'm probably doing it wrong :-)