Author: Markus

During the weekend I have completely reworked my script for the Overhead LED status and the CDU as well as the MIP LEDs.

You can find the script in the download area.

Nearly all LEDs are now configured via the TESTBIT Option of SIOC. With this option it’s possible to connect to one Byte 8 LEDs, each LED to a Bit.

Only the Window Heat and the Gear status didn’t worked, so I need to take one Byte for each LED.  Some LEDs (Smoke and Call) are triggered from other functions (SELCAL from Squawkbox and boarding completed)

You cannot just copy and paste those script, you have to adopt it to your device and output configuration. The script here is only for sharing some knowledge how I am going to programm the Cockpit with SimAvionics.

If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to contact me.

You will find an example of the script in the full post.

Continue reading “reworked SIOC script for LEDs (Overhead, CDU & MIP)”

First of all, I wish you a happy new year 2011. Initially we want to be at the new years eve in New York, but doe to the Blizzards in New York on the 26/27th December, all flight were canceled, so we were rebooked to Toronto and became a free upgrade to business class 😉 New years eve we spent with family in Montreal.

Now to the near future work in my cockpit.

1) I want to really start with the gear leveler during the next days

2) The APU start switch will be changed to a real one – Off – On – (Start), so that the start section is only momentary.

3) FMC Lights (MSG, DSPLY, OFFSET) will be wired – therefore I need 3 voltage converters, because the Opencockpit FMC is prepared for Master Cards and not for USB Output cards

More future: A throttle Unit to be built (non-motorized) – but I didn’t started the planning yet.

As you see, expect more frequent updates during the next weeks.

Yesterday I have bought the TOPCAT (Take-Off & Landing Performance Calculation Tool )

This tool closes the missing link in flightplanning and Performace planning. It can calculate also fuel requirements based on the loading and the route of the planned aircraft.

A great feature is to submit the Loading (Fuel and Cargo + Pax) via FSUIPC or aicraft.cfg file direct to the FlightSimulator. So I use this tool together with virtual dispatch on my dispatching station to get all the required info in a flight package printed out.

More information about this tool can be found on the TOPCAT website (http://www.topcatsim.com)

I started the Cockpit project now more than one year ago, in October 2009.

During the last year the webpage was visited over 6.300 times. WOW.

Beginning only with the idea of building an overhead panel I have now a “full” homecockpit in my room. Ok, full is not 100% correct, the pedestal and the throttle is missing. Those will be built in the next months.

The cockpit is ready to fly and made a lot of flights including an 8 hour transatlantic flight during the VATSIM cross the pond event 2010.

The Gear Leveler is delayed during some time issues, but all the required hardware is aquired and built. We need “only” build it together and connect it to the cockpit.

Today also all the controls were transfered from Windows Joystick inputs to FSUIPC control, that allows a much more accurate calibration to setup in FSUIPC. It allows also to configure the pedals as Tiller and Rudder function.

That’s all news for today :-).