Well, I’m now in full swing working on my preparations for the construction.  The first project will be construction of the Pedestal.  I’ve enlarged the specifications of the typical pedestal to about 14×19, and I’ve gone thru and found controls that I think I CAN simulate, and those that I probably can’t.  When I begin, I’ll put the K1 type switches in place, and then worry about wiring them to the Gammaray.  The final step will be to connect the lighted portion of the switches to an isolated power supply to allow them to function normally.  I’m not too sure how to do the gear lights……in terms of making them transition properly from green to off…..need to check with AL for that…and for a good method for doing the gear handle….

I’ve found a great place nearby that I think can supply me with lots of different plastics that I may need….and can cut the parts to shape for me easily.  I’m hoping to get a white or grey plastic panel cut for the pedestal, and for the panel, I’m considering white plastic.  I’ve been doing some computer graphics to create the linework and labels for the panel, and in photoshop this seems pretty easy. I can then print them out on transparency film via high quality inkjet (reversed so that the ink is not touchable),  I can even light the panel in that way if I want.

I’m planning, at this point, to start with the Project Magenta gauges, and am working with a 2 computer system.  The computers will each have 2 gigs of Dual Channel PC 3200 memory, and the main computer will be powered by an AMD 64 FX-60 Toledo processor.  The secondary computer will utilize the AMD 64 x2 4200+ processor.  I’m planning to utilize the BFG 7900 GS nVidia based card for the main outside display on the Main Computer, and for the Pilot’s side PM display.  The secondary computer will contain 2 eVGA nVidia 7600 GT Cards, driving 2 17″ LCD Panels.

Outside view will initially be provided via XVGA DLP projector (InFocus X3), projected onto a curved front surface acrylic mirror and then to a large sheet of Sintra (PVC) 1/8″ thick hung from PVC Pipe standards.

So, we need to complete and burn in the computers, and at the same time, fabricate the basic Pedestal.

I have a co-technogeek as a partner in this project, as well as my technogeek 10 year old daughter, and my FS mad 12 year old son.  We will be basing this monstrosity on Microsoft FSX (I own 2 copies), as well as PM and multiple add-ons.