CESSNA 172 VR CoCKPIT
Creating the WWII Simpit was a great experience, but the product had some shortcomings. The placement of the switches was somewhat random and did not at all correspond to the locations of these switches in a real aircraft. The joystick was not very accurate or powerful. The pedals did not have brakes and would not recenter very well. The pedals were also shaped in such a way that the user would put their foot on them in a way that could cause accidental application of brakes in a real aircraft.
Meanwhile I started flight lessons in a real aircraft: a Cessna 172. I found that habits I had picked up the simulator, good or otherwise, transferred over when flying a real aircraft. As a result of this I decided to build another cockpit, this time it would be an authentic Cessna 172 Cockpit, one that would mimic the aircraft I would fly in reality.
Meanwhile I started flight lessons in a real aircraft: a Cessna 172. I found that habits I had picked up the simulator, good or otherwise, transferred over when flying a real aircraft. As a result of this I decided to build another cockpit, this time it would be an authentic Cessna 172 Cockpit, one that would mimic the aircraft I would fly in reality.
Objective:
To create a Cessna 172 simpit for use with Oculus Rift and Prepar3D that would offer a far more realistic experience than the WWII Simpit and provide an immersive virtual experience through the introduction of physically responsive components.
Materials:
Wood, Acrylic (Plastic), Plasti-dip, Paint, Switches, Potentiometers, Arduino MEGA, Saitek TPM Throttles, CH Pro Pedals, Cessna 172 Pedals, Encoders, Plastic Lid
TECHNICAL INTERVIEW:
(Recorded during interview with Discovery Channel Canada.)
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What makes this "sim pit" different than other flight simulators? (:31)
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What components did you use to create your simulator? (1:11)
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What were some of the challenges you encountered? (2:07)
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What are the electronics behind the force feedback system? (2:20)
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How did you make use of Arduino microcontrollers (1:46)
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What are those extra switches for? (:28)
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What does adding the physical element do for virtual reality? (:24)
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Is your entire simulator D-I-Y (Do It Yourself)? (:59)
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How I did it:
First I created the switch panel by cutting, drilling and painting pieces of acrylic then mounting the appropriate switches. I retrofitted a TPM throttle, prop and mixer system onto one of the panels. I then started the construction of the frame of the cockpit. Once complete, I began work on the main panel, which is where the instruments are in virtual reality.
To connect the switches to my PC, I used 2 Arduino Megas as joystick emulators that would return the switch values as button values, potentiometer values as axis values, and would count encoder clicks and return that number as an axis value. I then used LuaScript to access the necessary registers in the Prepar3d software to move the appropriate simulator components correctly. I used FlyInside P3D to integrate Prepar3D with my Oculus Rift DV2 (developer edition).
My simulator cockpit features a force feedback yoke, as well. To create this, I began by “CADing out” the basic design of the yoke using SolidWorks. Once complete, I researched and ordered proper power transmission parts from McMaster-Carr. I then assembled the parts according to my design.
For the force feedback electronics, I disassembled an old force feedback joystick and decreased the power mix applied to it. I then connected the motor outputs to 2 separate H bridges, which were powered by two separate power supplies, which in turn output to the motors. I mounted one potentiometer on the gear rack and another to the roll axis.
The potentiometers returned values both back to the force feedback controller in order to calculate the necessary motor values and to an Arduino Mega which could take a more accurate reading. I then found a used Cessna 172 yoke for a very affordable price and attached that yoke to aluminum shaft. The shaft had a large gear on one end which connected to another gear, which then connected to a gear box and RS550 motor. This “block” slid on drawer sliders for the pitch axis. The whole block was moved by a motor attached to a gearbox attached to a gear rack.
To connect the switches to my PC, I used 2 Arduino Megas as joystick emulators that would return the switch values as button values, potentiometer values as axis values, and would count encoder clicks and return that number as an axis value. I then used LuaScript to access the necessary registers in the Prepar3d software to move the appropriate simulator components correctly. I used FlyInside P3D to integrate Prepar3D with my Oculus Rift DV2 (developer edition).
My simulator cockpit features a force feedback yoke, as well. To create this, I began by “CADing out” the basic design of the yoke using SolidWorks. Once complete, I researched and ordered proper power transmission parts from McMaster-Carr. I then assembled the parts according to my design.
For the force feedback electronics, I disassembled an old force feedback joystick and decreased the power mix applied to it. I then connected the motor outputs to 2 separate H bridges, which were powered by two separate power supplies, which in turn output to the motors. I mounted one potentiometer on the gear rack and another to the roll axis.
The potentiometers returned values both back to the force feedback controller in order to calculate the necessary motor values and to an Arduino Mega which could take a more accurate reading. I then found a used Cessna 172 yoke for a very affordable price and attached that yoke to aluminum shaft. The shaft had a large gear on one end which connected to another gear, which then connected to a gear box and RS550 motor. This “block” slid on drawer sliders for the pitch axis. The whole block was moved by a motor attached to a gearbox attached to a gear rack.
SKILLS USED:
I improved my skills with jigsaws, routers, table saws, miter saws, and planar saws as well soldering.