We started in mid 2007 with the aim to construct two fixed base B737NG "procedure simulators" for fun .
This of course with the evitable limitations in the hardware and software.
But nevertheless up to the standard where a B737 pilot can feel "at home".
Our estimate was that it would require 6 months work, but they are still "under construction" after 3 years.
Ongoing we have learned a lot and the projects have been "modified" several times.

The "foundation" is the proven MS FS2004 providing the Flight "environment" with "add-ons" like Ultimate Terrain, Active Sky (weather), REX2004, a World 58 m ground terrain Mesh, and a lot of high-detailed airport add-ons.
For the actual B737 system and Glass Cockpit simulation we use Project Magenta Boeing 737 suite.
All cockpit hardware is interfaced with PM. Instructor Station is provided from Louis Gordo and our professional Dispatch program is TopCat.

On the Website

We continously upload new pictures as well as useful tips.
Later on we will publish the mounting sequence of sim #1 with some text and tips for other builders and interested simpilots .

Page changes today July 07, 2010:

Minor text changes.

If you like the page translated to Your Own language - choose language in the field below!

PICTURE BANK - CLICK the START ARROW when pic is loaded !

If you do not see a picture window here above
- then check in the top of your browser window for the yellow Warning Bar about Blocked Content.
Right Click on that bar and select "Allow Blocked Content".

You might need to install the free Adobe Flash Player - link here to Adobe Download.
If you like to see the pictures in Full Screen - click on the Screen Symbol (down left) in the picture window.

ATTENTION:
The pictures are initially shown in low-res (pixelated) but when fully loaded they will be shown in "hi-res".
Should you by some reason not want to allow the Active X control, you can reach most of the pictures anyway
by clicking the "Old Picture Site" in the menu. That takes you to our old - not updated - picture bank.

News - News - News !

Chronological "milestones" :

Simulator #1 SE-LEH will become a full simulator less the motion.

The enclosure and the interiour is almost finished, overhead electronics installed but not yet in a working state.
This sim will be taken apart and moved to its proper place when all "heavy" jobs that are best done in the workshop are finished.

Lasse will try to make the sim "floating" on 4 controllable air suspenders which can lift/sink the whole sim 25 cm at the front and rear.
With that we hope to be able to create an effect slightly similar to a motion simulator.

The "outside view" will be projected on a 3 screens that will cover 160 degrees of vision.
This idea comes originally from another sim in Australia and uses 3 BENQ short throw projectors and one Matrox TH2G.
Same system can be found on the DC-10and CV440 simulators at Vasteras Aircraft Museum in Sweden.

Simulator #2 SE-BOH is a bit "simpler"
The sim is since spring 2009 in "Flight Ready" condition and on the VATSIM network as SAS807 now and then.
Still there are many things on the "to do" list :-)



Due to the heat generated in the relatively small sim room by the now 7 PC:s a 9000 BTU aircond is now installed.
Also a BenQ 782ST projector is now in use for the outside view on a 100" (2.20 mtr wide) projection screen.

The FWD overhead panel has arrived on April 10 th 2010 from SYMULATORY in Poland. A VERY nice experience.

The quality is very high in the latest version, including the laser engraving and the panel finish.
It arrived well packed and also assembled in the ordered "panel box". Included were ALL electronics less the interface card!
Dummy instruments for all instrument holes even the electric bus control panel! All rotaries have Boeing type switch knobs!!!
All this to an amazingly low pricetag - Highly recommended.

A friend of ours also got the latest motorized TQ from Poldragonet. Also very nice quality with metal servos and a breeze to install.
Comes with an excellent Luciano Napolitano software driver (The man with WideView).

SYS1x cards has arrived from Pete Cos of Flightdeck Solutions , so we can hook up everything with real ease to pmSystems.
Solder free and you assign all switches and annunciators via software AFTER they are connected.
No need at all for tedious "cable marking" work.
This card will interface the Overhead Panel, Weather Radar and the two Fire Suppression panels (engines and cargo) with pmSystems.

A second CDU has arrived from Engravityfor F/O side .
It is a "dummy" but with all switches nice and tactile.
Later on it will be equipped with a 7" LCD screen to show a cloned copy of CPT CDU page.

This is how the revamped CDU Bay Lid looks like after todays work:

A "Sim Control Panel" is installed for the "radiobox" with mini joysticks (hat switches) for electronic checklist, push back, pan and view control,
Custom made laser engraved (for backlight) panel from Hispapanels. Interfaced via a "Leo Bodnar" card See more on Tech Page !

Boeing 737 Clock from Flight Illusion will replace the "homebrewed" one on CPT side.

Lately installed and working items are:

pmSystems, is the software heart at the moment of the MIP, "Sixpacks", FireW, MasterCaution and Overhead systems.
TSR (Thomas Richter) programs: ... Autobrake Pro, Electronic Checklist, Center Tank Aural warning and APU fuel control.
Our friend in Holland Pim van Vrijaldenhoven has made software so the Weather Radar and Fire Supression can be fully controlled.

Outside Visuals
Changed to one Super Short Throw BenQ 782ST WXGA projector (native 1280x800 pixels).
Optimal picture seems to be from a thow distans of 106 cm and gives a 100" picture = 221 x 125 cm in 16:9 format.
The picture below shows what can be seen with this wonder. It is a true front view only that covers CPT and F/O side.
Black "Curtains" will be installed on both sides between the screen and the MIP for improved immersion.

Collins 2100 WXR Radar simulation (SA_WXR) installed.
Radar picture comes from the actual FS weather - not from d/l satellite pictures.
Full Collins Radar Modes and Antenna Tilt are selectable on the Radar Panel. Interfaced via the OH Sys1x card.

Engine Fire Supression Panel is installed in the Center Pedestal - Interfaced via the Flightdeck Solutions Sys1x card.

B737 Yoke at CPT side from Ali in Canada (ACE) became a real "ACE".
It has a superb B737 heavy yoke feeling and the whole setup on CPT side suddenly became terrific.
The responses are immediate and firm and the manufacturing quality excellent.
Highly recommended and best yoke for any price.

SAITEK Pro Pedals as Companion to this yoke- also another evolution step from the old CH Pedals.
The Saiteks have longer rudder movement = better resolution, better pots and above all they fit snugly around the ACE Yoke base. The old CH Yoke and Pedals are now moved to the F/O side.
The F/O side yoke and pedals istalled are given priority when the CPT side yoke is not in use.

A full duplex control = coupled yokes/pedals on both sides is mechanically difficult to get working unless you have a "cockpit floor" that can accomodate the cables/rods neccessary.

Ground Steering Tiller from Routek in Romaniais already in store and slated for install in autumn 2010.

Center Pedestal with full ENGINE FIRE SUPRESSION PANEL is added and fully eqipped with
2x COM / 2x NAV / XPONDER / 2x ADF / Trim Panel / Radar Panel / Cargo Fire Suppression plus a special sim control panel.
Due to space restrictions this is built like a B737-200 dual row "radiobox"

Sim Room Airconditioner - 9000 BTU a/c is installed to fight the heat from the now 7 computers and projector.

SA-WXR WX radar takes its "echoes" from FS9 weather and not from downloaded satellite pictures.
Simulates all Collins WXR2100 radar modes incl. controllable tilt angle.

We have come to know Pim van Vrijaldenhoven, a nice guy in Holland, who is a software engineer.
Pim has made an interface program to PMsystems for the Radar Panel, Fire Panel and more and our Radar Control Panel.
However, since the SYS1x card from Flightdeck solutions can do this too we might choose that route.

The radar picture is projected as an ND overlay CPT and F/O when radar is choosen on the EFIS controller.

Computing Power:

A Standard 100 Mb LAN with six computers:
Seven computers in all: 4 Shuttle minicomputers, one 3.2 Mhz Instructor PC and one 3.2 Mhz for FS9 plus one for Nav Program use.
Core2Duo (E8500) 3.2 Ghz processors on the Instructor and FS9 PC:s, 4GB RAM and Nvidia GeF Graphics card.

Software program:

Project Magenta, is as we see it, a MUST HAVE for a B737 sim with the ambition to replicate what you have in a real B737.
Other possible software solutions - read PMDG737 or Level-D - all very good FS add-on:s but not designed to run a sim.
Also cheaper "PM competitors" and even freeware solutions exists but "unproven" and likely to be incompatible with e.g. TSR add-on:s.
In a sim like this you have anyway invested minimum 10-20.000 €, so no reson to limit the use by less than good software.
Most hardware systems you will need for full functionality also require Project Magenta/PMsystems.

See TECHNICAL page