MFlightDeck1 | FlightDeck2-4 | FlightDeck6 | FlightDeck7
MMy First Simulator (built in 2001)


My First Flightsimulator was powered by a Dell Pentium4 4400 and uses a G4MX440 video card, Mini Keyboard, two complete sets of controls, fully operational throttle quadrant with active thrust reverser levers, in actuality I built the simulator around the throttle quadrant. also my simulator has two set of on-board lighting systems, night flight panel lights and over head floods, which are both currently on as shown.

My flightsimulator cockpit measures 58 1/2in wide X 65in high X 61in long. It has six surround speakers, two bass subwoofers, three onboard cooling fans, two for the pilots and one for the internal monitors to exhaust the heat

Master Avionic Panels on Dash
This photo shows the new avionics radios which work seamlessly with MS2002 manufactured by GoFlight Inc and distributed by PC Aviator.com, and are linked to a 4-port external powered USB Microhub. (just for the record), if you ever decide to build a homebuilt cockpit, don't fly without checking out these excellent companies for all your flightsim needs, for they offer superb delivery times and are very professional to deal with. These panels and others offered by GoFlight Inc. come with a very simple installation software that offers unlimited versatility. On a personal note one reason for me installing modular panels is to completely enhance the simulatation, by developing the eye to hand coordination with components and their intended function, that are found in an actual aircraft cockpit, which leads us to the next couple of panels I have installed.

Elevator Trim Wheel, Landing Gear Lever
and Flap Deployment Switch Panel
This panel which is located on the First Officer side
is my Elevator Trim Wheel, Master Landing Gear Lever, and Incremental Flap Deployment Switch.

The 3-LED Gear Indicator lights on the far right are really cool, as they display the transitions of the landing gear during various flight modes, of course landing and take-off being my favorite modes.

The Trim Wheel on the far left, is the Elevator Trim Wheel. This wheel is used to trim the pitch of the aircraft's nose up or down attitude, and at certain flight modes with flaps or gear extended the elevator trim is constantly attended to.

The Landing Gear Lever, in the center of this panel actuates the landing gear, when flipped to the up position, the landing gear retracts for flight, when
the lever is in the down position, the landing gear is
in extended and locked position for landing, thus the 3-green leds confirming this.

Toggle Switch Panels on Overhead Console
In this photo, I have installed in the overhead panel, 2 panels containing 2 rows of fully-functional configurable toggle switches. On the top board, I have set-up,

(Panel #1)
Switches 1-2- Engine #1 Start, Engine #2 Start- (Engaging the starters to spin the engines).
Switches 3-4- Run/Cut Engines #1 and Run/Cut Engine #2- (Actually Igniting and running the engines) for flight.
Switches 5- Avionics Master Switch- (Turns On all avionics, horizontal indicator, Nav and Com radios, etc.).
Switches 6- Autopilot Master Switch- (Engages the Autopilot and its relevant functions).
Switches 7- Auto-Throttle Master Switch- (Engages the Auto-Throttle which holds the programed airspeed of the aircraft, that you select.
Switches 8- Flight Director Master Switch- (Engages the Flight Director).....This function I'm still learning about.

(Panel #2)
Switches 1-5- Are all aircraft (external lighting functions), such as Nav, Beacon, Taxi, Strobe, Landing.
Switches 6- AutoBrake Arm Switch- (This switch engages the Autobrake, when the aircraft touches down and has positive contact with the runway, actuates the wheel brakes from a preset sensitivity setting as specified by the pilot and the wing spoilers to the up position.).
Switches 7- Master Spoiler Arm Switch- (When switched actuates the wing spoilers manually if desired).
Switches 8- Parking Brake Switch- (Toggles the parking brake).

Flight Testing
Here my good friend in the captains seat and very talented aviation specialist with real aircraft, Steve is conducting flight testing and practicing automated approach and navigation operations. What was really cool is that these pictures are of the first flight with two flight crew members, and learning the intricacies of managing certain tasks at certain aspects of flight, and distributing these tasks between two crew members, and vocally making calls. combined with lights sound, yokes and pedals and FS2002 It was very interesting and fun.
 I am in the first officer seat and conducting duties that a FO would perform, setting of all navigation, GPS, autopilot and and basic aircraft controls, like flap settings, trim settings, gear handles and also monitor how the simulator, computer and other systems are responding and operating.
I am also learning navigation and aircraft operation during various aspects of flight.