I want an overhead panel that could work with all aircraft. I am thinking of building one and just putting switches which hit keyboard keys when they are pressed and programming the keyboard for overhead buttons.Any out there that are cheap or easy to build?

Not sure about your particular requirements or how much you would like to spend, but you can have a look here as a starting point:http://www.fspilotsh...&sort=2a&page=1

Wow, thanks for the: ! Will have a look.

I want an overhead panel that could work with all aircraft. I am thinking of building one and just putting switches which hit keyboard keys when they are pressed and programming the keyboard for overhead buttons.Any out there that are cheap or easy to build?

HelloYou may get more help here:http://forum.avsim.net/forum/110-home-cockpit-builders/The easiest way is with the BU8036Xhttp://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/A few push button and toggle switches and a piece of board to mount the switches throughThe bottom pic on the above page shows how easy it is to wire a switch (no soldering)Then a piece of board with a printed graphic over it such as this one being built by a i-Fly forum member.There is more work involved the way you are proposing to goYou are still going to have to mount the switches and probably have to make your own switches as I have never seen a switch such as you describe.Hope these ideas help you in your efforts to make an overhead panel.

That looks good! So you can program them for overhead functions via FSUIPC?Otherwise i was thinking of getting a board, putting switches on it which -when pressed- presses a sort of manual hitting thing which then hits a keyboard key (where the keyboard is placed behind the board) which is programmed for an overhead function. Could this work? But haven't found switches like this yet or any thing which is with this sort of idea.Your idea looks good though, will check it out...PS: Can any switches work on it or just those on the site? And can you program things with more than 1 key ie: Ctrl+l, or something etc. Also can you get switches which can turn like on 777 overehad like engine starter or something can go to start, norm, and something else all on one rotary switch. Is this possible with this one?

That looks good! So you can program them for overhead functions via FSUIPC?Otherwise i was thinking of getting a board, putting switches on it which -when pressed- presses a sort of manual hitting thing which then hits a keyboard key (where the keyboard is placed behind the board) which is programmed for an overhead function. Could this work? But haven't found switches like this yet or any thing which is with this sort of idea.Your idea looks good though, will check it out...PS: Can any switches work on it or just those on the site? And can you program things with more than 1 key ie: Ctrl+l, or something etc. Also can you get switches which can turn like on 777 overehad like engine starter or something can go to start, norm, and something else all on one rotary switch. Is this possible with this one?

HelloThe Switch that you have in mind does not exist but would be easily made given the right tools.but why go to all that trouble and still be limited to a keyboards key spacings.Get the Fsuipc documentation from http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.htmlGo to peters support forum and read about what others are doing with Fsuipchttp://forum.simflight.com/forum/30-fsuipc-support-pete-dowson-modules/Have a read through the forums on http://www.opencockpits.com/index.php?newlang=englishAndhttp://forums.flightsim.com/vbfs/forumdisplay.php?12-Cockpit-Builders

Ok, this is what i might do:Get the BU8036X, a few switches, a board of thin wood or metal, a few switches and then attach switches to BU8036X and make a universal overhead panel, and assign assignments via FSUIPC.Think it will work?Any other hardware similar to BU8036X we can get in shops instead of having to order online? Looks like this is an alternate: http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=235

Ok, this is what i might do:Get the BU8036X, a few switches, a board of thin wood or metal, a few switches and then attach switches to BU8036X and make a universal overhead panel, and assign assignments via FSUIPC.Think it will work?Any other hardware similar to BU8036X we can get in shops instead of having to order online? Looks like this is an alternate: http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=235

Hello That looks fine , thanks for the link.Most of this stuff in only available onlinePM Chock who is a reviewer here on avsim as I believe he has just used a BU08036 to build himself a throttle unit, he may have some advice.Here is another cheap USB input boardhttp://www.desktopaviator.com/Products/Model_2040/index.htm

Cool, can you add turn knobs into these boards? Like the ones pilots use to change the heading and airspeed etc (they rotate right and left full 360 degrees and more)? And can you program these knobs with FSUIPC to change heading etc when the knob is turned or is this not possible because it is a turn knob...??? Like these knobs:Good news though! Thanks!

Rotary encoders may be added to the Bodnar board. I forget how many; I have two hooked to mine for the OBS and HDG. It will handle at least two more if not four more.Your solution is the long way around the farm. Join us here for more information: http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/

Rotary encoders may be added to the Bodnar board. I forget how many; I have two hooked to mine for the OBS and HDG. It will handle at least two more if not four more.

Which board? There are like 3 ay?: http://www.leobodnar.com/ is the BU0836X only one you need? Performs all functions right?

Join us here for more information: http://www.cockpitbu....com/community/

Will see about that...

Is BU0836X the only hardware i need (apart from the switches). I don't need BU0836 Precision joystick controller and BU0836A Ultra precision joystick controller correct?Also how many switches and things can you add? It says:

• 32 truly independent digital inputs for buttons and switchesNo matrix, no diodes, no daisy-chaining. And yes, each input has its own two terminals (GND can be shared between inputs if necessary.)
• Support for up to 16 rotary encodersA pair of digital inputs can be connected to rotary encoder. All main types supported (1, 2 and 4 pulses per detent)
• 8 analog inputs with true 12-bit resolution and independent wiring4096 steps of resolution. Even 1/4 of this range is still 1024 steps! To support true 12-bit performance each analog inputs has independent set of +5v and GND terminals, oversampling and sophisticated signal filtering
• 8-direction POV hat switch

So does that mean it's 32 switches AND 16 rotary encoders or 32 switches OR 16 rotary encoders (meaning only 16 switches can be placed into it because 16 slots will be used by the rotary encoders or something)? What are the switches which turn twice such as those on PSS 777 here called? The ones which turn to turn it on and off etc:

Is BU0836X the only hardware i need (apart from the switches). I don't need BU0836 Precision joystick controller and BU0836A Ultra precision joystick controller correct?Also how many switches and things can you add? It says:

• 32 truly independent digital inputs for buttons and switchesNo matrix, no diodes, no daisy-chaining. And yes, each input has its own two terminals (GND can be shared between inputs if necessary.)
• Support for up to 16 rotary encodersA pair of digital inputs can be connected to rotary encoder. All main types supported (1, 2 and 4 pulses per detent)
• 8 analog inputs with true 12-bit resolution and independent wiring4096 steps of resolution. Even 1/4 of this range is still 1024 steps! To support true 12-bit performance each analog inputs has independent set of +5v and GND terminals, oversampling and sophisticated signal filtering
• 8-direction POV hat switch

So does that mean it's 32 switches AND 16 rotary encoders or 32 switches OR 16 rotary encoders (meaning only 16 switches can be placed into it because 16 slots will be used by the rotary encoders or something)? What are the switches which turn twice such as those on PSS 777 here called? The ones which turn to turn it on and off etc:

HelloThey are Rotary switcheshttp://info.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Labs/misc/RotarySwitchHowTo.pdf

So those are rotary switches while the ones on autopilot panels are rotary encoders?

Yes, and they are hooked up the same as any other switch.I had forgotten how many encoders one was able to hook up. It is 16, but that will leave nothing for any other switches. When I said "at least two more and probably four", I think that's how manyterminals I have left on mine to use up.