Device to use on flight simulator?

Question

Hello, I am building a flight simulator with hydraulics and everything with x-plane 11. I want the control panel to be external, with switches, knobs, and everything else to create a basic Cessna cockpit replication. I am stuck when it comes to the altitude and airspeed indicators. I was thinking about using small stepper motors and converting the realtime knots/feet to certain degrees with the steppers, but I have little experience with the motors. What would you recommend to create the indicators? Thanks!

Answer 1

I'd use radio control type servos - they are very simply controlled by a variable duration pulse from a microcontroller, work on 5V and are completely self contained.



Just connect the output spindles or arms to your indicators and you have direct control of the instrument.



You can get them for not much more than a pound / dollar each, eg.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10PCS-9G-Micro-SG90-Servo-Motor-RC-Robot-Arm-Helicopter-Airplane-Remote-Control/273001429917



Info on how they work and how to control them:

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/hobby-servo-tutorial

Answer 2

Stepper motors would be good. You can buy the stepper motors individually and build your own dial, or maybe find a junkyard car speedometer that looks a bit like an airspeed indicator. Or retrofit a real airspeed indicator? Most realistic would be the real airspeed indicator powered by an air pressure source (inches of water). Maybe use a servo to tilt a cylinder of water, creating air pressure in a tube connected to the airspeed indicator? Otherwise the Arduino is great for stepper motors, see the how to use below.

Answer 3

Yes



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