/r/homecockpits
We want to see your cockpits! This subreddit is for anyone interesting in building a home cockpit to enhance their sim-flying experience. It doesn't matter if you fly civil or heavies, helicopters or fighter jets, you are welcome here!
Related Subreddits
/r/homecockpits
16,682 Subscribers
Next Level Racing Flight Simulator Setup
Greetings Fellow Aviation Enthusiasts,
After about 4 months of tinkering on and off with the Next Level Racing Boeing Edition flight simulator I would like to share my honest experiences and overall set up for others looking at dabbling into this adventure.
I reviewed a lot of fellow reddit user posts with this rig set up and took little bits of information/suggestions.
I have been wanting to get into flight sims for some time and finally bit the bullet in January and ordered the rig off Amazon.
Unit arrived in perfect condition and was packaged like a tank, no damages or issues whatsoever assembling the initial product. I know there was some older posts with people mentioning units were arriving damaged most likely due to shipping and its shear weight.
I assembled the flight sim; this took about 6-8hours with tinkering with fine tuning set ups and finding what works for me.
Strapped on a TM warthog (also off amazon) and gave it a whirl with my Vive Pro 2’s during that initial set up.
While I really enjoyed it over all, I found the chair to be God awful on my lower back (I do have a disc issue so that didn’t help but amplify the pain). I also found the chair to be very narrow and snug. I am by no means “big” I’d say average male 6’ 200LBS.
I would say the biggest con of this flight sim IMO is the chair, it just wasn’t comfortable for me for anything more then 30mins of playtime.
I started regretting my purchase but was determined to make it work somehow, then it dawned on me…Why not modify the unit to allow a titan lab chair to be installed, while this task was quite extensive in planning and executing the rewards paid off, I believe. I found a chair off FB marketplace for $100 with no base/wheels. Perfect!
The 2 side mounts did not fit due to the titan lab chair being about 4-5” wider than the OG next level chair.
To compensate for that issue, I stumbled across another post on reddit where a user used aluminum extrusions to allow the side mounts to be easily adjustable, while that was an ingenious idea it also allowed me to slightly extend the mounts to allow the titan lab chair to fit properly on the rig.
I keep the original adjustable chair rail system to allow it to be fully adjustable for all users that come to play it.
I had to fabricate and weld a new mounted system that allowed the chair to be securely the flight sim frame. I used 2” flat bar for this part.
After I mounted a butt kicker pro system under the chair and mounted the controls to one side mount to give the experience a great effect.
I love using the butt kicker but found out really fast that the sim needs lock nuts and every item that isn’t tied down needs to be tied down or will go flying off the unit.
As I was compiling parts and modifications to my flight sim, I made yet another decision (another expensive one) and splurged on a Virpil HOTAS set up (minus the rudders). I really enjoy the feel of the TM pedals, but I had to install a damper to give it a better effect.
I was already this far into the set up that the point of no return long gone!
I opted for the offset + extension for the Virpil, this caused the joystick to sit ridiculously high. So, I ended up cutting down and re-welding the base plate at a lower level. This now IMO works perfect for me at least being 6’ in height.
Lastly, I just couldn’t fine tune VR to my likings to play flight sims, I just found it spotty in textures and performance wasn’t what I had hoped so. I am rocking a 3080TI, but it still has a hard time pushing my expectations (waiting for 5XXX series for the next jump).
So, with that being said, I somehow managed to find a Samsung G9 49” 240hz on FB marketplace for $600 and decided to go next level stand + Tobii eye tracking in lieu of VR.
While I am not 100% finished yet, I am quit content with my outcome of the unit. Overall, I spent 50hours on the build with at least another 50 hours tinkering with software and learning the flight controls of planes. (having next played a flight sim before this was not an easy feat)
I would say the hardest part was the software conflicts between programs and devices.
I grabbed IL2 when it was on sale in March, but Tobii was a PITA to set up without using multiple overlapping software. So, I am still tinkering with perfecting it to my likings.
I know people bash war thunder, but the eye tracking software works flawless and sim mode is hella fun with the set up with the 49” wide FOV. I m sure IL2 with be great once I hone in on that beast.
I added the caster wheels to the entire rig set up to allow easy movement and stow away of the unit when not in use (I found this a necessary). I tried to keep the unit clean and clutter free (lots of zip ties)
While I am not done with cable management yet or happy with it, I plan on 3D printing some sort of cable solution clips but have not found the time to get there yet.
I have been wanting to share my experiences and finally decided tonight was that night.
The centre mount is still attached as I have been testing out where exactly I want the keyboard to sit, that is why you can still see it down by the rudders.
Sorry if I missed any details or content, but feel free to ask if I missed anything.
00:59 UTC
Switches and Button interface
I am trying to make my first switchboard but I am stuck atm. I have the switches ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093G9WLHS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details )
And I also have a button box interface ( https://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=300 )
the problem I have is how do I connect them , I keep looking for cables to match the both but I cannot seem to find any.. If i have to solder cables and stuff I am down to learn how to do it but I just dont know which cables to get or the connectors for them.. Does any one have any experience with this and can help me out?
18:43 UTC
Has anyone built a full motion sim with a whole aircraft? And software was used to translate the inputs?
I was wondering what kind of software did you use for translating the inputs into motion from Flight Simulator 2020 and X-Plane? I found an abandoned Bellanca Viking that is in too bad of a shape to restore for flight and have plans to give her a second life. after restoring the fabric skin, I am going to keep a full plane if space permits so that I have space to have my friends fly with in there. We're avnerds lol.
03:13 UTC
Progress
I have been working on some 3D renderings I have been working on for one of the cockpit stations in the Sim Ship. Would love some feedback.
The larger piece is a base for the upper dashboard, which will sit centered with the pilot, out of view but within reach on the roof of the cockpit. It will contain 3 MFDs, 2 small display screens, various switches, knobs, buttons, audio speakers, ventilation for airflow and lighting.
( The main use of this dash is for secondary/less used screens and key binds )
-Each cutout will be topped with a raised switch panel or bezel that will hold the switches, buttons, etc.
-Each panel will have its own pieces that can be removed separately, making adjustments in the future (switch breaks, etc) much easier and more realistic.
I attached an example of one of those switch panel covers as well as a picture from Star Citizen as inspiration, with my own twists. While the cover is not finished yet and is not for the upper dash, it should give you an idea of the finished look hopefully.
14:52 UTC
How expensive are Home made Cockpits?
I have a Stream Deck and use it for Flight Sims(War Thunder and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020) and really thougt about building a Cockpit or at least a few boxes with switches and stuff. How expensive whould a normal Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Setup be?
17:14 UTC
Airbus A320 FCU dimensions
Hi there,
I've already made and custom FCU for MSFS but I am looking to improve it and build the rest of the glare shield. Does anyone have dimensions, CAD models or anything else that I could use to help me as I would want to make it as accurate as possible and maybe eventually integrate it into a home cockpit.
Thanks
19:23 UTC
Can I use a TV wall mount for overhead?
I wanted to use a spare TV as an overhead panel, but how would I mount it? My cockpit is not very strong material so I would need good supports.
00:36 UTC
Things are finally starting to come together
22:14 UTC
Posted in hotas someone suggested to post here
19:41 UTC
Update, wired up more of the over head
11:59 UTC
Help with keybinds
I use Microsoft flight simulator and I also have a home cockpit. I was wondering how I would keybind it to allow me to do a cold and dark start. Everything works primarily on the A320, and I had issues with controls like the fuel pumps and APU master switch. Does anyone have any advice? The keybinds do not appear on the controls settings page.
22:31 UTC
I am planning on making a home cockpit for the first time.
I have decided to create a home cockpit off the jmb vl-3 which is a very nice plane. I have no experience with programing which seems necessary when putting in knobs and switches. I was just wondering if anyone could explain a little more on how to make knobs and switches go from my cockpit to the flight simulator.
23:32 UTC
Ps4 racing pedals for xbox rudders
I have a potentiometer that controls an axis. I spliced wires from these 3 wires going to 2 more potentiometers. Of course these 2 pots are going to be equal. How do I split the signal? Or have one do the opposite?
1 pot will be negative axis Other pot will be positive axis
My goal is to get G29 racing sim pedals for PS4 to use on Xbox Series X as rudder pedals and brakes. I'm capturing signal from flight stick PXN2119pro twist function pot. To my surprise the pedals have no circuit board, no coding, just 3 pedals with pot wired to a connector.
I did mix middle pickup wires to each other to connect to the pickup of the joystick pot. Thinking I can reverse 1 pedal in game. Next I reversed in and out wires of 1 pedal. Then I tried disconnecting in from 1 pedal and out on the other. Not sure if the terminology is right. Or positive, signal, and ground?
Someone out there has to know about this stuff. I'm building a cockpit setup for xbox which I don't think exist. Will use a keyboard to capture signal and solder wire to random switches and knobs i have around the house. Lightswitch will work good for gear, I have a threeway pickup selector switch will work good for landing/off/taxi lights.
17:14 UTC
I want to build an a320 overhead panel
Hello I'm new to this sub Reddit and I really want to build an overhead panel for the a32N. I don't really know where to start and I've been thinking of buying files with 3d models of the overhead panel. (I don't have a 3d printer but I can buy them online). I dont k ownif this is the best option however.
Thanks for any help
19:52 UTC
Wired up the first panel
02:18 UTC
Quick Update
04:36 UTC
Open Source 3D printed flight stick! Works with any office chair!
16:48 UTC
How Deep (back of chair to tip of toes) is your sim rig?
I want to transition from rolly chair to a simpit setup for DCS. My space is pretty small, the nook where I would ideally want to set up provides 64 inches wall-to-wall. I fly in VR so no screens, the only measurement that matters is the outer extremity of chair-to-footplate.
I've been looking at NextLevelRacing's and Simfab's offerings, but it's hard to tell what the provided dimension numbers mean, and like, how leaned back the chair is.
So how deep is your rig when the chair is at a comfy lean, ignoring screens?
17:38 UTC
My DIY home cockpit for Space Pew Pew (version 2)
08:02 UTC
Looking for a floor mount for my joystick
I have the NLR Boeing simpit which is great except that I have an extension on my joystick which doesn’t fit on the joystick mount that came with the seat. Looking for a way to mount my joystick to something that sits on the floor
00:40 UTC
My "No Mouse Allowed" PSX 744 home pit
23:19 UTC
19:24 UTC
flexible simpit chair and peripheral mounting?
Hi, I am looking for advice for a chair with mounting solutions for my baby simpit. Need it to be a one-stop shop for all my pc gaming (dcs, iRacing, non-sim games)
Requirements are:
- easy mount of my existing hotas (vkb GF & stecs), and rudder pedals (vkb)
- adjustable keyboard and mouse mounting-> needs to be able to adjust to appropriate center-front position while playing non-sim mouse+kb pc games (chair may need to be adjustable for this too)
- able to have all this mounted along with racing steering wheel
I plan to keep monitors mounted to desk.
Q1) I assume there is no feasible way to have both rudder pedals and gas/accelerator racing pedals simultaneously mounted? If so, what's the best way to quick swap your pedals?
Q2) What chair do you recommend for this? I am considering the Boeing edition chair from next level racing, but not sure if this is best solution. Thanks for all feedback!
15:55 UTC