Hello everyone,I'm new to this forum and I'm planning to build a homebuildcockpit.I'm dreaming of a replica of the 747-400 cockpit but I know I can'trealise that cause the lack of knowlache of the epiccard.So I snuffeld around to know what you can buy to make it as real as it gets and to my surprise there are already a lot of systems that you can buy like com and nav systems and fully working autopilot with all the cool digits and stuff. and I will use the keybord emulator.So I want to build a cockpit that can handle 4 engines and looks like a big jet (like the 747) but also could be something else.I want to buy a very big monitor for just the forward outside view.I'm thingking of a 22' or even a 24' and then place a fresnel in front of it. Then I want to buy 3 14' monitors 1 for me 1 for the copilot and 1 centre for the engines. and the 17' I already have to use for the FMC and moving map. Buying a 4 throttle quadrant. and 2 yokes. and 2 pedalsystems. and will use the magenta software.now the question :-)I want to buy 2 yokes, can I use them at the same time ? I don't want the yokes mechanical connected but I want it in a way that when I release the yoke and put it in it's natural position then the copilot can thake his yoke and fly further ? so if I steer the yoke to it's right 20 degrees and the coplilot steers 20 degrees left that the computer thinks that there is no input of the controller.I hope I make a little sense here cause I'm from holland :-)Or do I really have to use a switchboard for something like that ??Well many thanks in advance !!!RG

Don't let your lack of knowledge on the EPIC card sway you. The EPIC is perhaps the best choice for a big sim like you are talking about. There are modularized solutions out there, but for my money, it's EPIC.You can also buy linked flight controls from www.flyPFC.com, as well as single floor-standing yokes. I have one, and am about to get another one although linking them will be a home-based solution.All the EPIC help you could need is availa from many kind people here on this forum, as well as my website listed below.Welcome to the club!

RG Ray's right, To fly as real as it gets. EPIC would be the best choice. I used to feel same way as you re feeling now about EPIC. A strongly recommend to you, get to know with EPIC and later on you will be proficent into it. A real 747 has its 5 monitor each indivuals displays on instrument board and they are 10". What I am saying, if you re using Project Magenta's PFD/ND and ECIAS you might as well need bigger monitor than just 14" I would recommend you to get 17"-19" view screen. That would fit enuff for you to fly real-like B747. Unless you want it that way. About Yoke, To be honest with you. I have always disagree with the price of each yokes from any manufacturer. So instead of that I m doing mechanical link. I did was attach 2 steel wires from the captain side and get it all way underneath of the platform to co-pilot side. Whenever I steer left at 20 degree the other yoke done the same. and when I want to pull or push, other side would follow the same. I wish I could post you pics of mine but its not ready developing as of yet. Anyway I wish you good luck on your sim.

Hi,First of all thanks for the input.Yes 14' monitors are perhaps to small for magenta's instruments.Good point, sure I will get the 17' those prices aren't high anymorecause nowadays people buy 19' and 21' monitors.I didn't realise those were 10' per screen ! Maybe a smart thing to do now is get those real measurements ! anybody ?:-)You're reading my mind because I was planning to buy those jetlines yokes from FlyPFC ! I know there are some linkes yokes on the market but then you're also stuck at those consoles and I want to build my own one ! :-)About Epic, with those cards do you get a manual with it ? And ofcourse there is enough help on the internet ! But my programming abillity is 0....or is it all very logical at a point, even for newbies ? And ofcourse you're feeling much prouder if you have made those nav and com systems with all the digits by yourself !I tell you, if you're starting with this my heads spinns around of all the possibilities ! I'm not even talking about the MCP,CDU,EICAS,ect ect.....:-)Well enough question for now I still got a few thousend but we have time, right ? ;-) RG

RG,Acutally there are 6 8" x 8" monitors in the 747-400 cockpit. There are 2 for the PFDs, 2 for the NDs and one for upper EICAS and one for the lower EICAS. Then I think the three FMC-CDUs are 5" x 5". Check out the thread "747 dimensions" in this forum about getting dimensions for your cockpit. I don't necessary agree with using 14" monitors or larger for your displays, but it depends on how true to reality you would like to be.Art Smith