DIY cockpit control panel

[bolox]

alot depends on your 'favourite' plane aswell as what stick setup/view control you use

might be worth considering the X version of the Bu as it makes wiring easier and eliminates possible need to use diodes

whatever controller you decide on try a small scale experiment first with just a few switches of different types . try each switch type out on different controls to see how reacts in game. when you are comfortable with this try out the options given by profiling software(press/release functions i find great for making on/off toggle switches into positional switches eg GEAR up/down)

only then think of how you'll layout your controls with what switches.

think 10 times, measure 3 times, cut once

here's some of what i use:-
AXES
trim controls- analogue pots
elevator-essential. 5-10 turn pot recommended
rudder- essential, 5-10 turn pot recommended
aileron-optional but why not? again multi turn pot

with multi turn pots some sort of indicator can be useful

flaps- essential. possible pot (or up/down momentary buttons/toggle switch)


i group switches by function and use different types to differentiate by feel
ENGINE
start/stop- momentary push button
radiator- momentary push button
wep-momentary push button

supercharger+/- optional- momentary toggle/on/off/on rocker switchprop pitch auto optional -momentary push button
mixture +/- optional -momentary toggle

for engine selection i use 6 momentary push buttons (sel#1-#4, sel all, sel none)
fire exting and feather- optional but work well with on/off switch and 'missilecover'. also useful for bail and wingfold?

AIRFRAME

gear -essential- momentary button/toggle
flaps- 2 momentary buttons
tail wheel lock- momentary button

manual gear up/down- optional- possible rotary encoder or mom toggle
chocks/hook- optional- mom button or on/ff switch with profiling software

VIEWS
gunsite view- essential- on/off switch or mom button
incr/decr fov- momentary rocker or 2 buttons
tir centre on mom button is useful

BOMBSITE
rotary encoders work for sight alt/velocity +/-. mom toggle for sight distance
on/off switch for sight auto

most other controls i use on/off switches for a cockpit like feel (often using programming software). i do use 3 positions of a rotary switch for autopilot functions (left ap, centre off, right level ap)

[TheGrunch]

Bolox pretty much said it all. Bear in mind that some of the things he mentioned i.e. mixture and radiators may be able to be bound to an axis in future IL-2 updates and SoW.

PS: Have you seen any of Numca_of_CS's designs over at the Ubi forum? Or the Pit Builders forum at SimHQ? Plenty of inspiration there.

[Sokol1]

I think that above tips consider "vanila" IL-2.

The incoming 4.10 enable more controls on axis, like radiator, mixture, engine 1, engine 2 power... Hope that BoB too.

Since you already have stick+throttle (+pedal), consider use the 8 axis provide by Bu0836
to:

-rudder trim
-elevator trim
-aileron trim

Preferable whit multiturn pots, to allow small adjustment.

(4.10)
-radiator
-prop pitch
-mixture

Things like supercharge next/previus stage, flaps, manual gear, bombsight controls, you can control with rotary encoder - one handle two button in Bu0836 ( + - ).

Sokol1

[Azimech]

A rotary encoder! Now that's an elegant solution!

The tool JoyToKey is helpful as well, since it's generic it will work on any device that's recognized as a game controller. Currently I only use it on my stick, buttons 3 & 4, to zoom in & out in a smooth fashion (button 3 makes JoyToKey push the I on keyboard 25 times a second, button 4 the same with the O on keyboard).

Using multi-turn pots is beauftiful but I imagine those things being expensive. You might consider using normal pots and use a non-linear scale so movements around the center doesn't result in sharp changes. I use cheap Saitek 3 lever slides, one for power/proppitch/flaps, the other one for elevator/rudder/aileron trim, which works fine with default settings for me.

http://www.fspilotshop.com/images/saitekusaP45.gif

[LegTaste]

Thanks for all the info.

I probably wont finalise anything until SOW is released as its likely to be more advanced.

I'm planning on using hall sensors instead of pots.

Although i've allready got a BU0836, i might just use this to convert my throttle and joystick and buy the X version so i can use latching switches.

[TeeJay82]

id say 4 engine axis... radiator will be axis controlled
also 4 axis control surfaces, for better flaps control

[badfinger]

Originally Posted by TheGrunch

Bolox pretty much said it all. Bear in mind that some of the things he mentioned i.e. mixture and radiators may be able to be bound to an axis in future IL-2 updates and SoW.

PS: Have you seen any of Numca_of_CS's designs over at the Ubi forum? Or the Pit Builders forum at SimHQ? Plenty of inspiration there.

I have Numca's Icarus console, and will write a review of it after I have used it a little more. For now, I can say that you need to carefully decide which controls you want on the console. Also, the workmanship is very good, and Numca is nothing if not incredibly helpful (and patient) in getting you up and running. The downside, for now, is that he started his mandatory 9 months in the Greek army yesterday. So, he really won't be available for some time.

If I hear anything from him, I'll let you know.

binky9