Embraer Panels

It's always a privilege to be able to help someone with their build (and offers us interesting challenges) and one of our more recent custom jobs was to design and manufacture both the Landing Gear Panel and the MIP Annunciator Panel for an Embraer 120 home cockpit.

Below is the photogragh of a real Embraer cockpit that we based our designs on (click for a larger image) ...

Original photo courtesy of Juergen Lehle

And pictured above is the Landing Gear Panel completed and with all of its associated hardware fitted, with the exception of the gear lever itself - the wiring will all be done at the time of installation. Although the panel sizes were pre-determined, the panel itself was constructed with our own 2-position gear lever in mind, as this will eventually be fitted once in the simulator. The lever can actually be attached directly to the rear of the panel, although it wasn't required for us to do so in this instance.

Here we have a couple of the LEDs temporarily hooked up and under test. The entire panel is to be backlit using flood lighting and has been constructed from opal material to accommodate this whilst also trying to maintain some semblance of text clarity when unlit. Different grades of opal (and camera angles!) can give different results - and the reduced contrast of a grey panel and opal text can occasionally cause nightmarish problems.

Here we have the MIP Annunciator Panel, although without any warnings, cautions, or indicators lit, there's not really very much to be seen.

Each annunciator is a separate entity, which means that removal for updating, replacement, re-positioning, or otherwise is easily done. This can be helpful because, as we all know, needs (and software) change and progress over time.

The following photo (somewhat obviously!) shows the annunciators being tested in dark conditions, which most often is the normal environment for a home simulator whilst in operation, and allows us to check for any light bleed. The LEDs shown here (as well as not necessarily reflecting their rightful colours, as we didn't have ready access to the correct colour placements) are incredibly bright.

The brightness of the LEDs is perhaps better illustrated below: under workshop lights and with the camera flash also. The legends are still clear to see if activated.

The above Embraer parts are available on request now, although they won't be making an appearance on our website until the New Year, as I'll be updating the website with various new products and developments over the Christmas Break. 

Over the captain's shoulder

Over the captain's shoulder, originally uploaded by Ruscool Electronics.

In lieu of any significant post, this is simply another update photo of the C90 simulator currently being built in our workshop.

Additional photos are available here and I'll be upping more over the next few days until I've used 100% of our monthly Flickr allowance.

General Update

As you might've noticed, this blog has been sadly lacking in new content for the past few months, although this isn't because I've not been busy - just the opposite in fact! The ATR has even needed to be put to one side for a while, as our new project involves the construction of a complete King Air C90 simulator.

The entire process has been documented in detail and I plan (as time permits!) to write some dedicated posts relating to different sections of the build. In the mean time however, here are a couple of photos showing the progress so far ...

The initial construction pieces as they were unpacked

The basic structure of the cockpit (temporarily) together as one

Rudder pedals ready for installation

The latest view over Captain's shoulder

The glareshield annunciators lit up under test

Free Demo Version of Monitor FSUIPC Data

Now available for free download is a demo version of our Monitor FSUIPC Data program, available through Mediafire via the link below.

Note: Link has been updated as a new version (Windows 7 and/or 64-bit compatible) has just been released ...

Monitor FSUIPC Data (Demo Version)

The ZIP file contains a file called Monitor FSUIPC Data Demo Setup.msi which when double-clicked will begin the set-up process. We recommend that you let the program install itself automatically to the destination it chooses, as if you decide to purchase the Full Version later on it will be installed directly over top of this demo. This will also make it easier to apply any future updates that are made to the program (which will be made available free to all registered users of the Full Version)

The list of available offsets in the demo version above (from which you can view data) is limited to the following:

- Aileron Trim
- Alternator Switch
- Altitude of Aircraft
- AP Vertical Speed Hold
- AP Vertical Speed Value (ft/min)
- Bank
- Engine 1 Fuel Pressure
- Flaps Control
- Fuel Centre Tank 1 Level (%)
- Gear Control
- Lights - Cabin

No registration is required.

There is no facility to add your own 'Custom' offsets in the demo version.

More details on this product are available here ...

Testing our Collins radio

Previously embedded below was a short video showing me testing one of the Collins radios we manufacture. The product has since been considerably upgraded and seeing as more recent video now exists, I've deleted the link below and moved the updated version to a newer post. 

The top display is the ACTIVE setting whilst the lower display shows the STANDBY.

The standby setting is swapped to become the active one by momentarily flicking the right-hand transfer switch (named XFR). Switching to the MEM function (memory) allows you to cycle through up to ten preset frequencies. 

The smaller knob on the dual concentric rotary encoder controls the decimal numbers, and the larger one handles the whole numbers.

The example shown in this video is running as a NAV radio (hence the .05 steps) although by making a simple alteration to its software it will then function a COM radio, which steps like so: 0 - 2 - 5 - 7 and back to 0.

The software can also convert it into either an ADF or a Transponder, although of course they have no standby function, and the decimal point on the ADF is in a different place.

Updated site

Just a quick note to mention the upgrading of our Ruscool Electronics website.

More ATR progress will follow on this blog very shortly though. Hopefully by this afternoon!

Software release: Monitor FSUIPC Data

Our latest software release - Monitor FSUIPC Data - has been developed to allow users the ability to monitor (in real-time) any data that FSUIPC is able to read from Microsoft Flight Simulator, as this data is not always viewable and is often cryptic.

Within the program itself, there's a 'Settings' tab which allows you to choose up to 8 different items that you wish to monitor and analyse. This information will then be displayed under the 'View Data' tab, where all of the items will be shown as 'Raw Data' and as 'Calculated Data'.

Below is a screenshot of the program (click on it to see a larger version):

Further information (including additional screenshots, more in-depth explanations, and other details) can be found here

And here's a short video of the software operating:

Product development

Naturally, over the course of building the simulator, various obstacles arose and effective solutions needed to be found. As a result of this, several products specifically aimed at the home cockpit/flight simulator market have been developed by myself (and by extension, the family business) and are now available for purchase through our company's website.

Following is a list of our current products, along with a brief description. Our site contains much more in-depth information about each item, including diagrams, hardware specifications, and software configuration details. Direct links to each product can be found below.

AUTOPILOT (AP5E5D)

This USB connected unit has one 4-digit with + sign, one 5-digit and three 3-digit 7-segment LED displays to emulate the autopilot displays of a typical airliner.
5 rotary encoder inputs allow the setting of Course, Airspeed, Heading, Altitude, and Vertical Speed. 2 inputs are pre-configured for the Autopilot and Autothrottle switches. No user configuration is required.
This photo shows a typical configuration complete with the mechanical rotary encoders and the toggle switches that are supplied as part of this unit. The acrylic faceplate (with milled cut-outs and smoky grey faces for the displays) is also supplied. The dimensions of this faceplate are 390mm x 65mm x 10mm.
Click here for further details.

ENCODERS and OUTPUTS (5E8R)

This USB connected board can accept 5 rotary encoders and 2 switches as inputs, and has 8 relays as outputs.
The supplied software allows the user to first set up the inputs and outputs as they desire in the configuration program, and then when the main program is run, all of the rotary encoders and switches will directly control Flight Simulator. The relays will respond to Flight Simulator conditions so that LEDs, Lamps, Solenoids, etc can be turned on and off appropriately. Instructions and full connection details are included.
Click here for further details.

64 INPUTS (64INS)

This USB connected board can accept 64 switch inputs. The supplied software allows the user to configure the inputs and then, when the main program is run, all of the switches will directly control actions within Flight Simulator. The switches are arranged in blocks of 8 utilising readily available RJ45 plugs and cables. Instructions with full connection details are included. The inputs are designed for pushbuttons and toggle switches (or any combination thereof), and even multi-position switches. They are not suitable for rotary encoders.
Click here for further details.

64 OUTPUTS (64OUTS)

This USB connected board has 64 outputs which respond to Flight Simulator parameters. A comprehensive but simple to use configuration program allows an output to be controlled from virtually any FSUIPC offset value. Each output can control LEDs, Lamps, Relays, Solenoids, etc.
Click here for further details.

DUAL RADIOS (DR5E)

This USB connected unit has two 5-digit 7segment LED displays to enable a wide range of radio configurations. Com1&2 and Standby, Nav1&2 and Standby, ADF1&2, and Transponder are available. Active/Standby with Transfer Button is configurable also. 5 Rotary Encoder inputs allow four to be used with the radios, and the fifth to be used with any other applicable function (e.g. for setting the QNH). A comprehensive but simple to use configuration program is supplied.
Click here for further details.

COCKPIT INTERCOM (RAI-2)

A full implementation of this intercom allows the Pilot and First Officer to communicate with each other, and also with an Instructor. A sidetone volume control on the board allows for the setting of how loud you hear yourself speak. The unit will accept an Electret or a Dynamic microphone and with stereo headphones, will accept stereo input from the PC so that you can hear engine sounds with more realism because sounds are heard coming from the correct direction. (The intercom can be supplied in a mono configuration if desired.) Inputs allow a Push To Talk button to be used, or a toggle switch will allow an open microphone configuration.
Click here for further information.