Post Your Flight Sim Cockpits

[lukefinch]

First off, i didn't really know where to put this so mods, feel free to move it to the appropriate section of the forum if it isn't there already.

Anyways, I am an avid flight sim fan, specifically flight simulator X, and i know there are many others here too.

I am slowly setting up a home cockpit for practice when my flying lessons get cancelled due to the glorious british weather. I was wondering if anyone else on here has an area specifically for playing flight sim? If you have post here and we can share ideas and tips on good peripherals, accessories, software etc.

Here is my FSX corner in my bedroom

Here is a closeup of everything

Here is a closeup of the screen and the autopilot

And my British Airways Boeing 757 model

I have...

- Saitek Pro Flight Yoke and Throttle
- Saitek Pro Flight Panel
- Cheap wireless keyboard and mouse
- 32" Samsung LCD TV
- Custom PC made by me (Parts from OCUK)

I am also getting a DVI-VGA cable so i can also use a 19" monitor for GPS, ATC etc.

What do you think?

 

[lukefinch]

needs more screens.....

I'm working on it

and they say pc gaming is dying

Not for me, you cant get anything like this for a console. can honestly say i use this PC every day and haven't used my Xbox 360 or PS3 in over a year!

Default 737-800 with that kind of setup? Son I am dissapoint.

(should have gone for the PMDG 747-X )

That is my next buy for sure! I do have some other payware planes but i just used this one for the photos

 

[lukefinch]

I'm waiting for that exact setup to go clearance at work (we have an ex display that I know will never sell). Sadly, my "cockpit" is simply my desk with an xbox pad. Multi monitor is the way though. I use my secondary for gps/comms/ap. The idea of eyefinity for FSX gets me erect, but I've yet to see a rig that can handle it!

btw, you may find some other like-minded types in this thread http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18172358

I took a quick look at that thread. I posted in it a while back promising videos and screenshots from my new PC that I forgot about so thanks for pointing me back there.

As for eyefinity. I would love to get another 32" tv and use both side by side with the 19" display for GPS, ATC etc. But then I'd have to get another graphics card, then a better PSU and I'm only 16 and have no job so I think I'm doing very well as it is!

 

[lukefinch]

I don't see a TrackIR.........

Nate

Never needed it so i haven't bought it.

 

[lukefinch]

Looks fun, what is the device in front of your monitor? Some sort of Airplane steering wheel (Yoke?) with extra buttons and readouts?

I used to love flying games many years ago (Micropose F-19 and F-117A) but I know these will be nothing like what you are flying.

Genuine question; does it not get a bit boring flying commercial airliners? Do you accelerate time once you are in level flight so you are doing the landing pretty much straight after the take-off? I know if was me I would end up trying to do loop the loops etc in no time

Yes, in front of the screen is a Saitek Pro Flight Yoke. I used to use a joystick however i mainly fly Boeings like the 737, 747, 757 and 767 so this makes it way more realistic.

It does have buttons to change view and mode. It also has customisable switches and a hat switch for moving the camera view. It also has a screen with either the time or a stopwatch displayed.

As for the question, yes, a lot of the time i do takeoff, get to cruise altitude then go at 16x speed until it is time to start the descent.

Really want to give this a go, but dont know were to start .

Start like i did. First off, using your PC you have now. Install FSX. Also buy a cheap joystick, nothing fancy just a basic one to start with.

Then test the game, use the missions and lessons, fly on your own and on multiplayers and determine whether you like the game.

If you do and want to take it more seriously, you could upgrade your PC like i did, buy a better joystick or yoke like i did. Also, if there are specific thing you use a lot, like the autopilot for me, buy a real panel for it and sit it on your desk.

Also, buy payware scenery and aircraft as some out there are amazing and make this unbelievably realistic.

 

[lukefinch]

Here are some videos i have made using my PC.

Hope you like!

Test Video...

Boeing 747 Landing At Kai Tak...

Mallorca Photo Scenery And REX

Boeing 747 Takeoff At Manchester

Palma De Mallorca Scenery And Takeoff

 

[lukefinch]

Oh you do need it, you just don't realise it yet TIR (or Freetrack if you want to build your own) is easily the best thing to happen to Flight Sims since ... uh... Flight sims.

Nate

I do admit it looks good. Maybe I'll get it after I get the pmdg 747