I am at the point with my T-38 simulator to start building the cockpit shell itself. I have started thinking about the instrument panel. Ideally, I would love to have real simulated instruments, either build them the way Mike Powell does or use Simkits. Simkits will cost a small fortune. They want almost $400 for the two engine CCU and the T-38 has 12 engine gauges alone, not counting the primary and secondary flight gauges. Besides, the ADI and HIS are 5

>So, my master plan calls for me to use a monitor for the>gauges and slowly build gauges while praying that someone>comes out with a simple and cheap interface for gauges

Hi John,I think you will be disappointed with a standard TV as a monitor. You get pretty close to 640 by 480 on screen with US TV formating. If you spread that over 27 inches the pixels look pretty grainy. It's not simply the formating. The TV CRT has larger phosphor dots or strips. You would perhaps get a better overall effect by using a single 17 or 19 inch computer monitor centered in your panel and only display the central instruments.Programming is not a big barrier. You only have to learn a little to get the basics running. It's not all that expensive either. I bought a learning edition of MS VC++.NET for less than $30 delivered through an Ebay bookstore. Low starting bid, no reserve and no other bidders! Came with the standard edition compiler, a small MSDN libary, and a reasonably good intro to VC++ programming book.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Thank you Toumas and Mike!If I could find a small LCD that could be turned on its side, I could make it work for engine instruments. Mike

>Thank you Toumas and Mike!>>If I could find a small LCD that could be turned on its side,>I could make it work for engine instruments. Mike

>If someone is flying real airplanes and using the sim as>adjunct training or as a procedures trainer, religiously>following the checklists is important. Very true. And sims dont break unless you tell them to :)>Thanks for the advice. You are a real credit to and supporter>of this forum. Heh, this got to be the nicest way of saying "Thanks, but I know what I need" :)Thanks ;)//Tuomas

LOL

I know not directly related - but I have seen plans of a FMC that was made from a little portable TV. Certainly worth thinking about.

>I know not directly related - but I have seen plans of a FMC>that was made from a little portable TV. Certainly worth>thinking about.Or two small portable TV's? One for PFD and another for engine? :-)I understand your thoughts about engine stuff - thouhg they do add a nice touch of realism by providing feedback when you start engines etc - temperatures start rising etc..//Tuomas

>>I know not directly related - but I have seen plans of a>FMC>>that was made from a little portable TV. Certainly worth>>thinking about.>>Or two small portable TV's? One for PFD and another for>engine? :-)Never thought of that, but I'm going to use my wifes 15" LCD for that :) And she thought I bought her a 17" one out of the goodness of my heart :)