Over 140,000 distinct visits were achieved  for year 01/09/09 to 31/08/2010.     Thanks Captains. 

I am getting so many e-mails regarding how it all went together and particularly how i use the PMDG 737, I decided to put together a page to assist other PMDG 'drivers'. This is general, but I will expand when time permits........  Click Here. 

Lot of People Complaining that they have to buy the Flightsim Labs Driver now to use the CPFlight MCP with the PMDG.  Here's the ZIP files containing the Programming needed to use it without said driver.

AEROSOFT AES ++ Added 01/09/2008
Airport Enhancement Services

One of the best and most realistic ADD ON's I've seen in years.   Adds traffic and interactive events to your 'At The Gate' experience.  Check it out at 
www.aerosoft.com or for more screenshots and info go HERE

Long Paddle Switches for the Overhead are available from LUCHTVAART Hobby Shop. Or MOUSER in Fort Worth TX
MOUSER PART NO's are
108-0027-EVX (SPST OFF/ON)
108-0028-EVX (SPST (ON)OFF(ON) )
108-0029-EVX (DPDT ON/OFF)
108-0031-EVX (DPDT ON/OFF/ON).

Now here's a great thing.  It's a pulse switch which only contacts in the direction of rotation.


So now there is a solution to the 'Encoder' Problem. You can send either two repeated Keystrokes  or repeat two seperate Joystick button Inputs. I haven't found these in the UK yet, but they are available from MOUSER . 
Here's the Data Sheet.  Connect it to Leo's BU0836 Joystick Controller card and you get Repeated Joystick Button Presses based on the direction you turn the switch.  Opens up all kinds of possibilities doesn't it.

If you don't want to spend a fortune on Project Magenta (and who does), you can easily re-write your panel file to display PFD & ND and then configure your EICAS using the excellent FsXpand  Program from Gert Heijnis 
*** NOW WITH PANEL SWITCHING ***

EICAS Panel Courtesy of FsXpand
includes the Boeing Standby Instruments and Flaps Gauge

"How To Use FSXpand to switch EICAS Screens"
I have been asked a few times how I went about getting the Panel Switching Operational.        Click HERE for the .pdf file
and for Information on 
"Using Remote Joysticks with FSXpand and FSClient"
 click HERE

What do you bung in the Chronometer Windows on the MIP, well working clocks of course :o) See the MIP Page for how to do it

Both Steering Tiller's came from ROUTECH in Romania

This has got to be the BEST solution for your Worldwide Charts.  Upto date, excellent quality and affordable. 20 Euros buys you 300 credits, thats a full charts package for 150 airports.  Works out at 13 cents apiece. And they have now joined forces with Richard Stefans Navdata Service which will mean your charts and your FMC Navigation data will both be synchronised.

Well I 'Bit The Bullet' and went out and bought the SYMULATORY Throttle Quadrant.  Sadly it arrived damaged, but with some mailing backwards and forwards Jakub and I have resolved the problem and I'm just amazed at the level of realism it adds to the Pit.   Not cheap, but a 'must have' for serious builders.
See the TQ Page HERE

** How A TQ Works and How To Connect It To FS2004 HERE

Two interface cards from Opencockpits in Spain. The USB Keys  and the USB Axes.  There's more information on the OpenCockpits Page.

Here's the BEST USB Joystick Emulator I use, BU0836 

from Leo Bodnar. Gives you 8 analogue axis inputs and 32 buttons,     check it at LEO's Website where you can also find the connection diagram. Now also available in 12 bit resolution for even better accuracy on the axes.

And I'm always being asked by our less experienced colleagues how i connect to the card using a Matrix.
The pdf file on the left will tell you how to make the connections easily.

** HOT And there's more.  Leo has just introduced the BU0836X board.  Much Simplified 'Push Fit' connections, so no need to be soldering up Matrix Boards.  Every input neatly labeled for easy identification. BU0836X now supporting upto 16 encoder inputs from 1,2 & 4 pulse per detente encoders and translating them into joystick button presses. He tells me it should be on his website week beginning 31st March.   see www.leobodnar.com 
I'm using these encoders from Sure Electronics on ebay with the BU0836X board.  They are cheap and work a treat (set the switch pair 1:4 in Leo's config utility).    also incorporated push 2 make switch. 

DZUS Fateners Come From Phil At SIMVIONICS

  Looking for a Single Lightplate or Switch Panel. Here's a bunch of guys who know where it's at. I just ordered the Weather Radar Panel, The Stabalizer/Cabin Door Panel and the Rudder Trim Panel. Talk to Manolo at HISPAPANELS.  Real Nice Guy who replies by return and is very helpful.

So where do you start with the overhead panel. There are so many systems and indicators that it can be a real problem getting them all sorted out. Ok well a great place to start is here.   Just click on the 737NG overhead panel image to help you get all the right indicators in all the right places.

VRInsight CDU   We are led to believe by the manufacturer and the Retailer that this unit is compatible with the PMDG.  It's a f*****g nightmare from start to finish. The manual i got was inaccurate, lacked so much detail and i spent best part of a day sorting out the .ini files just to get it to do something.  Then your problems start! It only sort of works with the PMDG.  Some keys work with the KBD function on and some when it is off. Some keys work both with the KBD function on and off and have different actions based on the state of the KBD input function.  So you find yourself constantly turning the KBD function on and off with the mouse (now do i need the KBD function On or OFF to press this key?).  From experience, give this one a miss and don't waste your money.  All it's really good for with the PMDG is for sending keys in as a keyboard emulator.  I'm told it actually communicates direct with the LevelD767.  2 questions here, why don't PMDG release their SDK or better still why don't LevelD develop a 737NG ! Then we'd all be happy.

MCDU.com seems to have gone AWOL.  So, if anybody's looking for a copy of the FSCoPilot utility installation Program, i've got it.
Just click on the image to download this very useful utility.   I use it for auto Time Synchronisation.

'Ere have you seen these? 737NG Yokeboards/Checklists.  Made by Engravity and Available from the LUCHTVAART HOBBY SHOP in Amsterdam.

Take a closer look HERE

Just click on the image for a closer look at the Checklist Fitted to my Yokes.

---------------------
POWERLINE  WIRELESS  NETWORKING

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. My Cockpit is hooked up to the internet over a wireless connection and i was having problems with the connection 'dropping off' in bad weather conditions. So this was the perfect solution, NETGEAR'S WGXB102 Extender kit.  Hook one end into your router and a wall power socket and take the other unit to the nearest power socket to your Wireless network machines.   SORTED !

SVGA Monitor Splitter takes One Output to 2 Monitors

This is FUNNY !!
AIRLINE PILOT REVIEW

Four Forces Act On an Aircraft - WEIGHT - LIFT-THRUST - DRAG

BUDGET - SKILL - EXPECTATIONS - SPACE :o)

CPFLIGHT MCPEX1 Output Relays
Several people have asked me about these relays because of getting my Eng and Spar valve annunciators lit using them. Then, Mark Deponeo came up with a brilliant idea to control the overhead power supply automatically using output switching so I wrote the lines for him for his DigitalOut.cfg file.   This got me thinking and a whole new field of thought evolved.   Here's how to get to grips with writing lines for your CPFlight MCPEX1 configuration file and getting it to do what you want it to do - neat :o))

How To get The Tiller Working
Here's a .pdf file about how i got the Steering Tiller installed and working.
Very Satisfying :o))

SURROUND SOUND in your Sim
Just by bringing different aspects of the Sound envelope and effects at you from different directions makes a BIG difference.  Here's what I did to create a better environment which has added to the realism factor.
The .pdf file is HERE
The Full Scale diagram is HERE

++ BUILD SIMPLE ENCODERS FROM ROTARY SWITCHES ++
You can build simple encoders from rotary switches quite easily. Click on the document image on the left to see how it is done. This was how i got the Wiper Controls working in the PMDG successfully.  Can also be applied to other rotary switch commands which require a 45 deg. incremental/decremental/distinct position level of control.
Quote - Jorg Hermann "I am working with encoders as part of my job and it never occurred to me to approach the problem with such a simple solution"

And taking this idea further, here's how to control a 3 position software switch using a hardware switch or 3 position Rotary.

The PMDG A/P Disconnect wave file only gives you two tones, when in fact the new NG's emit 4 tones when disconnecting the A/P. I've done a remake of an A/P Disconnect 4 tone file. Click on the image to download it, save it and copy to your FS2004\Sound\PMDG\737tng folder.

+ Build Your Own  BOEING 737 YOKE
I've been building a Boeing Style Yoke for a friend and it's turned out better than expected.  All i used was an old CH Gameport Yoke, some Grey Rainpipe, 8mm threaded rod and some flat bar.   I have to admit we spent money on 2 Gas Struts and some Aluminium Checker Plate for the Base, but finished cost was £70 about 110 euro's all in (except the Control Wheel).  We even have the Buttons and POV working.   Then i got an engineer to make me the proper base which added another £90 (125 euro), but the finished item is amazing. Take a look at the build document.

 
+ Added 2nd Dec 2008 +
I've now perfected this idea.  We have now constructed the Mk3 Yoke and i'm absolutely delighted with the results. See the Yoke Document above.
   

++ADDED 20th Sept 2008++ The Glassfibre Yokes are OK, but they are not 'substantial'. so for Mk3 i found these from SAID in Holland. Price at date of writing is 168 euro's.  Solid moulded Yoke with 3 switches and wiring. Captain & F/O yoke available.

 + BUILD YOUR EFIS Units for The PMDG 737NG.... 
Leo has now added encoder input with the BU0836.  I have the utility to 'flash' the card so it can work with encoders. You can download the utility here.   But please remember only cards built after December 2007 have this capability.
So we went ahead and built an EFIS unit for the PMDG with the BU0836. Take a look at the .pdf document on the left to see how it was done.

++ 737NG Crew Oxygen Panels ++
Crew Oxygen Panels came from Joe Cygan at
Innovative Flight Simulator Products in Texas.