Introduction

"Viper 31 in hot!" A-G FCC mode, radar to GMT, STP mode, SP mode, slew radar a little to the left high, "Ahh there's some movers", expand field of view, a little less gain, TMS forward lock, switch to CCRP mode, 6 miles to target.

"Yes honey, I will do the dishes in a minute." Damn!! MUD SPIKE!! 1.5 miles to go, chaff chaff chaff chaff, "Bombs away, Viper 31 off!"

Sound familiar? Yes, as much as I enjoy Falcon, I found myself dancing too much on the keyboards and losing SA trying to concentrate on the deployment of weapons and radar modes. For one to enjoy Falcon 4 to its ultimate potential a HOTAS and even maybe some quickshot MFDs are necessary. If one wants to take on the challenge and excitement, he/she can build their very own home built sim cockpit.

Let's get started

Before anyone can jump into the building of a cockpit, there are many things to consider. What type of aircraft plane shall I build? How authentic should I make it? Transportable? Cost? Audio? Controls? 61" Screen, or 19" monitor? These are a few of many things you should take into consideration before designing your project.

I spent literally months searching for info on current cockpit builders. After talking with some of them, and finding many resources to get supplies from, I started my design.

The Platform

I have been a F-16 enthusiast since I was about 8 years old, so naturally I decided to build a Viper. First I needed plans. I remember as a kid, I once had a ESCI F-16 1/12 scale model kit which would have been perfect for measurements. Unfortunately I burnt it up along with my mechwarrior models.

While searching for plans, I stumbled across a URL called Derek's Cockpit Links. This was the key to successful INTEL gathering for my homebuilt. At this site I came across a man by the name Jeff Heeszel, who had designed an F-16 type cockpit from the 1/12 scale model and called it the "Hell Seat." Bingo! There's my link, I was luck to get a complete plan package of his Hell Seat for a low low price of 10.00 US.

When I received the plans, although the basic sizes were there, I noticed it was a more simplified version of the shell. ( The ACES II plans were very authentic.) So I than had to ask how authentic do I want it? Like many F-16 freaks out there, I wanted the real thing. At first this was my goal. After more research I had decided that due to my lack of knowledge of building, wiring sims, and money, I had to make some cutbacks.

So thinking of the future I started to draw out my plans and ideas. I had decided to make the ACES II, the cockpit base ( this included side console, aux. consoles, and center low consoles) as real as I could get it. I designed the main front console to house a 19" monitor placing it in front of me, with the switches all around.

The monitor actually makes up the front of my cockpit, with the MFDs ICP kind of shrunk down underneath it. Later, once software gets better, as well as more money comes in, I can rebuild the main console like the real thing with working MFDs and a HUD and maybe a 61" screen!!! For now, it is basically an enhanced Falcon sim, giving me total control of all switches and levers: no keyboard, no mouse!

Controls

There are numerous great HOTAS systems out there already. The SUNCOM F-15 series makes a great F-15 combo for the more practical rational user who doesn't want to spend a fortune for a F-16 setup, and sometime this winter their USB gear will arrive. Thrustmaster on the other hand makes a great unlimited programmable authentic F-16 setup ( F22pro/TQS/RCS ) I already had my hands on this setup, so I started to work with that.

As I built my F16 simulator, I realized in an F-16 the side consoles are very low, compared to the older sim cockpits I built. Now I had a problem; for the correct elevation for control, I had to bring the bases above the console panels. This was not acceptable: it did not look authentic. I also took into consideration that it will be years before a cockpit parts collector will get his hands on a late block model stick like the TM F22 represents.

Then by the goodness of God I stumbled across a man by the name of Don Malko. Don is also building an authentic F-16 simulator, and has skillfully redesigned the F-22. Don gave it an extended neck and limited the deflection of the movements for a more comfortable feel for a side stick motion. Once I got the plans from him ( For free, great guy) I started on my own design. I could not believe that I totally hacked up and destroyed my $230.00 Canadian control stick!!

But after giving the F22 an extended neck and shortening the movements it looks and feels more like a real F-16 control stick. I then found a real F-16 handle with all working buttons, so ultimately I will get a real TQS lever, but as money flows slowly I had to have something else for now to get me by.

As I got pretty good with wood building, and with the plans of a real TQS lever assembly, I rebuilt the handle to my TM TQS out of hard oak 1X2s. It worked great. It is sturdy and has a very smooth action. The down fall is that with this extended leverage, I lose the feel of the MIL/AB detents. But I have many ideas to rig up something for that.

Panels

Another consideration for panels was authenticity and prices. Desktop sims has real F-16 backlit panels for 30,000 US. I on the other hand had the option of custom made panels by A.G.T. ( Advanced Graphic Technologies ).

Now these panels are not 100% exact but are very close as well as affordable, and are very versatile if you need to custom size them like I have done. Sean and John at A.G.T. provided excellent help, craftsmanship and service. I recently purchased their Falcon 4.0 panel packages, ACES II placard set, metal working gear handle, and some custom made HSI/MFDs and other panels.

Comms

While building a home built sim, I wanted to get rid of the keyboard and mouse. Doing this brought a very important question. How will I implement the comms in Falcon as well as other commands like screen shots, and quitting the mission??

I first tried Game Commander. This is excellent voice activation software, which I tried to use just for comms. This worked very well, except I got real tired of hearing myself twice. My voice, "Sentry Declare, " then the computer pilot voice, "Sentry, Viper31, DECLARE!" and then the response, "Viper31, Sentry, target is hostile!" By this time, we did a typical TOP GUN fly by, "MiG 28s, no ones been this close before!"

So keeping this in mind, I have designed a F4 control panel, giving me access to all voice commands as well as my favorite external views, and pause and other sim commands in the form of hot keys. Maybe one day when I can convince Microprose to make the self talking pilot an option, I will be in heaven using my voice to talk to the computer!! (Note: MiG Alley includes the option to turn off your own voice.)

Audio

Many sim builders have gone all out into 3D surround audio systems pumping 1000 watts of power! I on the other hand asked myself, "What does a Viper driver really hear? " I figure he/she feels the vibrations of the F110-GE 100 pounding 29,000 pounds of thrust, and a few shutters from dropping bombs off the pylons. But headphone wise, nothing but mono radio noises and tones and warning cues. So I have mounted a 12" sub woofer with a bass crossover in the seat, with a 1000 watt Yamaha PA amp from my old studio equipment.

This gives me SA of my afterburners, as well as other low frequency noises. With the low band EQ I can even get the runway noises to shake a little. Then with a good bass sounding stereo amp and EQ I get nice stereo sounding wind noises of the canopy friction, and other internal sounds I made for a more realistic engine sound for Falcon including radio buzz resonating of the engine RPM. With all this and the tones of the heat seekers and RWR scopes it gives a nice surreal atmosphere!

Controllers/Control

Every sim builder out there will tell you ( Extended Programmable Input Controller ) is the answer to flexible, versatile programing. With EPIC you have the world of control in your hands for an affordable price. With the basic EPIC card you can have to up 300+ switches with numerous programming options similar and more powerful to that of Thrustmaster's gear with EPL (EPIC Program Language).

EPIC also has the options of joystick port cards for ultimate in calibration and control, gauge and meters controllers, lights and tones controllers, and many more things to come out of them. A very nice addition to EPIC are the aftermarket made motherboards for TM and Suncom HOTAS. With these new motherboards inside your stick your gear runs under EPL. With this, now I can make my CMS switch count down my Chaff Flares inventory on my CHAFF/FLARE panel. Just a small example of what you can do with EPIC.

So what do I have anyway?

Well, although I wanted a real F-16 simulator, I ended up with something better in my view. Real Mil Spec simulators are nothing like Falcon. There are no big time campaigns giving a different experience every time. They are just trainers with basic 3D graphics like GSC's F/A- Hornet 3.0, with a very accurate flight, weapons, and avionics model. Using Falcon I can play online and I can create my own scenarios, having a new fun experience each time. The downfall is that Falcon only offers so much in avionics and flight modeling.

But with patch 1.07 and soon 1.08 things are really looking good. With the help of EPIC and my panels, I can make use of almost every switch in the panels. For instance, with the CHAFF/ FLARE panel there is a master arm switch. With this engaged I can now operate the chaff and flare dispensers. With the auto/manual mode, the Falcon software takes care of it.

Along with single and multiple mode, I can make one press dispense 3-4-5 or even singles. With a single switch I can change the dispensing options. Once again, these are just basic operations you can do with EPIC, I will be spending the whole winter just setting it up!

By placing a 19" monitor at low level so the HUD is directly in front of me, I look slightly down to see the instruments. I have realistic HOTAS, rudders, levers, and switches. I have a kick ass 12 " bass speaker pounding the seat, giving the "Ultimate Falcon Ride!" Without the keyboard and mouse, I can have my checklists, lineup cards, maps, and recon photos in front of me. With the touch of a switch just arms-reach away, I have less task saturation, giving enhanced play and realism!

Tips and Politics

The most important tip I can give is research. Like anything else, you need to study and find the options and what you are able to do. Many simulator builders are electronics and computer geniuses. My profession on the other hand is far from that, but if I can do it anyone can. It all comes to one important thing, dedication!

Trying to convince the wife, girlfriend, or even mother, can be a job in itself. When I first came up with the idea, my girlfriend thought I was nuts. After seeing the stage it is at now, I somehow managed to get her into sanding the past weekend.. =)

Transportable and upgradable is a good consideration. I plan on adding to this simulator in the future, so making it upgradable helps to make it transportable. The simulator can be broken down into pieces making it easy for two people to carry through doorways and stairs. But as far as bringing it to LAN meets.. well, let's just have it at my house.

Plans are good too. I would spend hours and hours thinking of ways to do things, and this has been a key to my success. If I never thought of half the things I did, this project would be a big desk with a seat! =) I wasted too much wood at first because I was winging it. Later I started making mock pieces out of cardboard, a wise move.

AGT? Once again, check these guys out! They are so helpful. They will produce anything you design or think off, even make it better! Thanks Sean and John!

Money is a big consideration. You can do anything you want if you have the money. Motion control, 61" screens, multiple displays, gauges, heck even G'Suits! But this will cost you an arm and a leg. My simulator is very basic, but a practical design for a serious Falcon user trying to get the most out of the sim.

The Cost

To date, this simulator has cost me around $3300 Canadian. The wood has been around $600, the panels about $1500, customizing my HOTAS about $300. The real Ejection handle, real TQS were about $800 US. If you want more real, check out Desktopsims, they have the basics F-16 sim for only 10,000 US, or even the Mil Spec for 20,000!!

Just ask! That's right, ask any simulator builder out there who has a page. I figure if he has a page out there, he wants to help. If it was not for guys like Jeff Heeszel and Don Malko, I would have not been anywhere near where I am now.

A special thanks to Jeff Heeszel, AGT, Thrustmaster, Don Malko, R&R Electronics Combatsim.com™ and of course Microprose.

If you enjoyed this article, check out Home Built Cockpit