Motion Control Software

Posted on March 29, 2011 by

I know it’s probably a long way off for me, but I’ve been working through some ideas about creating simulator motion control software for my pit. Ideally, the software will control several servos that manipulate a few home-built instruments and also a motion system using linear actuators.

Simulator motion is very complex, so to simplify it immensely, I will limit motions to just acceleration. You know, Newton’s action/reaction stuff that pushes you back into your seat when you hit the gas in your car, or throws you out of it when you hit the brakes. This can easily be simulated by tilting the sim base while the visual screen is attached and the outside visuals do not adjust for this tilting.

I’ve got the basic data I need out of Flight Simulator X using the FSX SDK SimConnect, some C# code, and MS Visual Studio. That is the easy part. The next step is getting a servo controller board, probably something from Phidgets, and hooking that into the program to talk to it.

Yea, I know there are a couple of proprietary software systems out there already built for this, but none of it is cheap. It can also be limiting if you can’t customize it, or you have to learn another home-grown scripting language to set it up.

Here’s a shot of the program getting data out of Flight Simulator…

Getting Data out of Flight Simulator using SimConnect and C#

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Another Quick Update

Posted on March 14, 2011 by

Hi all,

I’ve been doing quite a bit of reorganizing and finishing up projects around the house. I’m contemplating a move, for several reasons, but one of them is to give me more room to play with my airplane. That said, I have actually finished cutting out the windscreen templates, but that’s about it for the sim right now. The basement is finally uncluttered enough now for the process of glassing the shell. I want to finish that mess before taking it apart for the move.

If you’re interested in panels for the Learjet 45, Hangar 45 has some great forum posts on progress with this. I have a set of Reversion panels on the way as I write. After what turned out to be quite the drama with my first attempt to get panels for the sim, I am extremely happy and grateful that  progress is being made. While I would love to jump in and get a CNC and laser engraver of my own, I don’t have the time or patience right now to walk that road.

On another note, I’ve been bitten by the RC helicopter bug as of late. I bought a E-Flite CX3 last year and have been having some fun with that. I even purchased a software RC simulator to practice when the weather is bad.

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Quick Update

Posted on January 30, 2011 by

Hi all!

I apologize for the lack of updates lately. I had trouble getting bendable plywood for the windscreen templates, so I am using 1/8-inch MDF. I just finished tracing the pattern and will be cutting it in the next week. The weather around here lately has been crazy, so between all the shoveling and trying to keep warm, my motivation is lacking.

At least January is almost over. Happy February!

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Happy Holidays! SantaSim 2010 is here!

Posted on December 23, 2010 by
Santa Simulator 2010

Santa Simulator 2010

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Where do they sell Learjet Windscreen Templates?

Posted on November 26, 2010 by

So I can’t find any door skins – thin plywood usually used to cover hollow-core doors – to use as windscreen templates, so I had to order them from California. I initially thought about using 1/8-inch MDF, but the edges don’t hold up for what I’m going to do with them. The templates will be installed while I complete the fiberglass covering, so I can get a good fit when I install the final Lexan windscreens.

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell Painted

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Hey! Who put a Learjet in my Basement?

Posted on November 15, 2010 by

The foam has hardened, and just one more coat of paint up top before the real fun begins.

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell

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Paverglass Update (Paverpol+Fiberglass)

Posted on October 31, 2010 by

Happy All Hallow’s Eve!

Well, the “Paverglass” is hardening nicely. It’s rather pricey, but much easier to work with and way better for my lungs and liver than resins. The test piece is a little lumpy and uneven due to my stress tests, but it is as strong as I need it. BTW-I’m using four layers of fiberglass matting.

I’m touching-up the shell roof for hardening and painting. Those compound curves are a little tricky. When that is complete I’ll be splitting the shell in half to make it easier to work with the final “Paverglass” covering.

Learjet 45 Simulator Paverglass (Paverpol+Fiberglass)

Learjet 45 Simulator Paverglass (Paverpol+Fiberglass)

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Painting the Shell

Posted on October 23, 2010 by

The port and starboard side foam has been hardened and I’ve applied a fresh coat of paint. It’s a slightly different color than the Apple Green I’ve been using, but the final coat will be Apple Green. If you were wondering why I’m using green, it’s very close to the special corrosion-resistant paint used on the frame parts of real airplanes.

My experiment with fiberglass is continuing. Apparently it can take up to two weeks for the Paverpol to harden completely. Right now the test piece is still a little flexible. Either the Paverpol isn’t completely cured yet,  or I need to add a few more layers of fiberglass. We’ll see.

Learjet 45 Flight Simulator Cockpit Shell

Learjet 45 Flight Simulator Cockpit Shell Painting Progress

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Fiberglass Cloth and Paverpol

Posted on October 20, 2010 by

While building this thing I’ve been trying to figure out what to use as a final shell covering. Others have used the traditional fiberglass method, but they are building something more permanent. If you didn’t know, using toxic resin and hardener indoors is a really bad idea. Fortunately, I think I have stumbled onto a fabulous solution.

Paverpol, the fabric hardener I’m using to harden the shell foam can also be used with fiberglass. It’s completely non-toxic. That’s right, NON-TOXIC! It has traditionally been used by artists in the creation of fabric sculptures. This stuff looks and smells like white glue and dries rock hard. Testing is under way, but so far it appears to be a good alternative.

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell Fiberglass and Paverpol

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell Fiberglass and Paverpol

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Unfriendly Skies

Posted on September 27, 2010 by

Sorry for the lack of updates. I’m finishing up a few house projects before old man winter arrives and also cutting my teeth on some new development software. Work on the pit is continuing, however. I’ve hardened the foam on the port side and have started the process on the starboard side. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible, at least for the shell exterior.

I’ve been flying low and slow in a Beaver float plane for a change of pace. My last flight was quite the adventure as you can see below. Apparently I wandered into restricted airspace or something…

Shell pictures soon!

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