My desk top based cockpit is not a complete replica of a 767 cockpit because of lacking space. However, every push-button, toggle switch, rotary switch, rotary encoder, led and display is working; there are no dummies! I can fly my Level-D Boeing 767-300 flight simulator from Cold and Dark start-up till landing and shut down, without ever having to use mouse or keyboard. This was my ultimate goal when I started building in 2003
->Click at simulator parts in this picture to jump to more detailed information <-
The Level-D 767 is interfaced digitally via Level-D's Software Development Kit. My lekseecon program connects the Level-D Boeing 767 in Microsoft Flight Simulator with the SIOC software of Opencockpits.
In total I am using 312 inputs for push buttons, switches, rotary switches, rotary encoders; 169 outputs for led's and decimal point control and 85 digits in displays.
Next to that I am using three flight controls; Yoke, Throttle and Pedals. They provide 10 Joystick axis; Elevator, Pitch, Tiller, Speed Brakes, Left Engine Throttle, Right Engine Throttle, Flaps, Left Toe Brake, Right Toe brake and Rudder and a number of buttons and hat switches for visuals control.
Not visible in this picture are three special functions that have "enriched my cockpit experience": Cold and Dark Cockpit support, Lights test (to check for hardware malfunctions) and dimming of displays.
The cockpit hardware is interfaced digitally with the Level-D 767 via the Level-D's SDK and my lekseecon program.
Programming is done in Opencockpits SIOC.
I use two PCs connected via an Ethernet network (LAN).
My Flightsim PC is housed in a Antec P180 case. It is very powerful, but still pretty quiet. I have assembled this PC myself, it consists of:
A second PC (here called the "Communications PC") is built into my Pedestal. It is used for connecting to the VATSIM network, voice communications, flight planning and weather provisioning. I have built this PC myself, it consists of:
This section summarizes the software I am using at each PC; being a lot of programs and dynamic link libraries. It is a major undertaking to make all these programs work together well. For most software items I have provided information in separate sections about my 'setttings', otherwise I refer to the web sites of the makers. Just follow the links.
Keep in mind that it is always very dificult to compare systems because of the number of parameters involved. With my hard- en software, without overclocking the cpu and without overclocking the Video card, with my settings, I get , in the Level-D 767 which is (a complex add-on) 30+ FPS in Virtual Cockpit view (depending on what airport I am) and 40+ FPS in Spot View. But even more important, the screen looks very very good, straight lines and no shimmering, and the sim feels smooth. After many years I can finally conclude that I have achieved my goal ...
My dream is to have a full scale 767 simulator one day, like the one from Ian Cameron:
-> Click at the picture for a larger resolution image (800K) <-
Ian's simulator is also based on the Level-D 767 and built with Opencockpits IOCards, Opencockpits SIOC and my lekseecon program.
-> Click at the picture for a larger resolution image (400K) <-
-> Click at the picture for a larger resolution image (224K) <-
Copyright © 2004-2011 Nico W. Kaan, The Netherlands. All rights reserved. Boeing, 767 are registered trademarks owned by the Boeing Company
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Disclaimer: There is no warranty, guarantee of any kind, and I am not liable for any problems you may encounter while using my software.