Newbie

[Guest]

I am seriously thinking to make a home cockpit. I am in designing stage amd deciding what plane to simulate.I wish to ask you guys, if I decide to add a motion plataform to the home cockpit from where point could I take the information to get the data to move the plataform?This is important to me as first step to decide if the motion plataform is possible or not...(without thinking in money, of course)Thanks in advanceRodolfo

[Guest MikePowell]

Rodolfo,Motion platforms are indeed possible though they appear to be rather rare in the hobby community. The source for data depends on the simulator you are using. If you make use of MSFS, take a look at freeware called FSUIPC maintained by Peter Dowson. www.projectmagenta.com/dowson.html You might also read through the Microsoft FS SDKs available from the MS FS web site.Xplane offers a method for gaining access to its internal data as well. Check ou the "Hacking Xplane" section on the Xplane web site.Sounds like an interesting project. Please keep us posted on your progress.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.comInfo for simpit builders.

[Guest]

Thanks Mike.I am using MSFS 2002.I know the page of Peter Dowson and his program FSUIPC, but I didnt know that I could get that data from it. I will investigate.I hope that you dont boring waiting my updates, because I live in Argentina and here it is very expensive. But I will try with my brother.Thanks again, and I will be in contact.Rodolfo

[Guest]

http://www.senet.com.au/~dunkleyj/motion.htm this site has some good reading! Have fun!!!(8-|

[Guest RichardL]

I guess anything is possible, but to me, there is one big problem with using MSFS for motion.In a real aircraft, the horizon is fixed and the aircraft banks left and right, and pitches up and down.In MSFS, the aircraft is fixed, and the horizon banks left and right, and pitches up and down.So, if you used MSFS with a motion base, your aircrafts flightdeck would bank, let's say to the right, and MSFS horizon graphics would also bank to the right. You might not experience the sensation you expecting.Just my thoughts,Richard

[Guest MikePowell]

The fix for that is to mount the scenery display system on the motion platform. The motion of the platform does not mimic the true motion of the aircraft. It moves to mimic the forces experienced by the crew. Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

[Guest]

Here are some pictures that show a possible low-cost motion setup which can give roll and pitch movements. The electric drive electronics are straightforward (half-bridge with supply from +/- 24V batteries). Mike is indeed correct that the motion of the platform does not follow the airplane attitude at all, as doing so would give unrealistic motion feeling. (example: If an airplane is in a 30 degree bank, you would should feel yourself pressed in your seat. If you put the platform in a 30 degree bank, you would slide sidewards and tend to fall out of your chair). Basically, the platform motion should be driven by accelarations. (derivatives of the pitch and roll). To make sure you see only the simulator screen, the moving platform should be completely enclosed (not shown on the picture). Even shadows from the room light are distracting. Presently experimenting with X-plane, but others have done motion with FS2002 as well, (see http://home.hccnet.nl/p.leerentveld/ ) so anything should be possible. Roland