Multi-Sim - The Multi-Purpose Simulation Station

Multi-Sim Portable Game Station
For airplanes, helicopters, race cars, r/c training and any pc video game
Contact Me

Version 07/15/2012

This page is beginning to look more like a race sim rather than a flight sim. I recently discovered Race2Play and this is the rig I use for online racing. The G27 wheel, pedals and a modified shifter make up the core hardware. I wrote my own plugin to interface the display and shift lights. In the near future, I plan to replace the phidget dashboard with my android phone. The plugin is a work in process. And I am still looking for a good seat cover for my jeep cherokee car seat.

Click picture to zoom

My plywood race car must be portable. I travel 40 miles per event. If I could race at home I would get nothing else done. Setup time takes about 20 minutes. I use the speaker system at home and headphones on the road.

Three screens are required for close, hard racing. Side-by-side, turn 1, Oultan Park UK.

Version 05/01/2010

The second triple screen system has been completed. The version is portable and works with all three multi-sim modules. The single computer drives three outside views along with the dedicated instrument panel. And it works very well with the racing sim.

Convert your G27 Shifter to Full Time Sequential
Real Feel Settings for rFactor

Version 01/01/2010

The following pictures show the different components of the multi-sim. The first few pictures show the entire package, which fits nicely in a mid size family car. This multi-sim can simulate race cars, helicopters, airplanes, radio controlled aircraft and play just about any pc video game. The first set of pictures show the driving simulator, followed by the change over to helicopter.    The race car panel consists of a phidgets textlcd / 888, which provides speed, gear, fuel, laps completed and most recent lap time, along with the rpm leds. I wrote the software using C++ and it's compatible with rFactor and soon, GTR.

Click on the picture to zoom in.

Version 08/15/2008
Multi-Display Panel

I've been tinkering with the idea of building a multi-function display panel. I came up the proof of concept shown below. I also created a multi-dial panel but it's not pictured., All the software is written in C# and will integrate with FS9 or FSX. The multi-dial allows the pilot to change the altimiter, attitude indicator bars, heading indicator and vor and adf obs settings. The multi-function display is explained in detail below. This project never went past the proof stage as I started focusing on the multi-sim concept.

Version 12/01/2007

It took me a long time, but the second upgrade is complete. The first obvious addition is the new instruments and the panel mounted yoke. But the biggest addition is a newly constructed P4 2.8 Ghz CPU that is driving the main sim machine. It currently takes four networked computers to drive the sim. I also added a new throttle quadrant and a row of toggles switches. The 22 inch monitors really added to the realism, especially in takeoff and approach phases of flight. The sim is currently stopped on runway 31 at Boeing Field in Seattle.

Click on smaller picture for larger view

The smaller pictures were taken from the latest version of the sim. I switched from the black instrument panel to the Piper Cherokee panel.

I also installed the gear switch and indicator lights, installed a new flap switch and added a plug for my headset

And finally, I layed some carpet over the floor and moved the entire simulator out of my basement and into a dedicated flight room in my house (not pictured)..

The next upgrade should include a panel mounted GPS (garmin 500), a center console for gps controls and switches and I am hoping to install a better yoke and pedals. The yoke installed now has limited range but works fine. I also hope to install flap and trim indicators using phidget servo controllers. I recently installed a phidget 8/8/8 controller for my master and toggle switches and it works great. I have the capacity left for 8 analog inputs and 8 digital outputs. The next upgrade should use some of those digital outputs for outer, middle and inner marker lights as well as other annunciators (low vac, oil, volt, etc.). Those indicators are currenly being constructed.

Version 12/28/05

Latest efforts include a trim wheel, gear switch with indicator lights, flap switch and two additional
outside views. Also included is a GPS running on my laptop.   This all works great. There are
problems with monitor geometry, color and scenery complexity. This version of the sim uses
five computers networked together. These five computers range from P2, P3, Celeron and AMD
processors running from 300-2600mhz. Once I am running faster computers for outside views
I can turn on more traffic and more scenery complexity.

Version 08/11/2005

This is my latest attempt at a simulated aircraft.

I am using Project Magenta GA IFR software to emulate the panel and the same Go Flight panel modules
as before. I also use WidevieW for multiple outside cockpit view, but they are not running in these photos.

Next version will include paint, a small panel for toggles switches and engine startup buttons along with a
gear knob with lights, flap switch and a trim wheel. Later versions will include a throttle quadrant, Phidget
electronics for flap and trim indicators along with a better monitor setup. I think I will use (5) 17" monitors
for the 180 degree cockpit view. Also will mount a 15 inch monitor in the right side of panel for dedicated GPS
screen, also using WidevieW. Would also like to mount a better yoke and make a better platform for the
keyboard and install a trackball for the GPS. The list goes on and on....

It looks better sitting behind the yoke. The instruments function very smoothly and are more than sufficient
for instrument training.

It gets messy behind the panel. As you can see, I have more construction to do. When the cockpit is complete,
it will take 7 computers to operate it.

Hopefully the next update will be sooner than the last one.

Version 01/01/2003

It's finally working! I have two more modules to install. That will happen later this month
and will fill the space you see in the stack. I now have everything I need from startup to
shutdown to perform instrument approaches.

Version 11/24/2001

I've been flying simulators since the late 1980's and got my private license in 1993. It wasn't until 2000 that I started considering building
a home cockpit.
My personal flight simulator will consist of a yoke, rudder pedals, my desk and chair and
a series of pushbuttons, toggle switches and radio panels. This setup will allow me to
perform instrument training using the MSFlight Sim .

To achieve what I want, I could pay $5,900 for the latest FlyElite.com PCATD simulator.
What I propose we build is something even more practical and about 1/3 the cost.

To get a real good idea of what I am trying to build, click here.

I've been working on this for quite a while. I have purchased one of the push button
modules and one of the radio panels that you see in the following photo.

Here is a close up view of the home made custom job I made to house the two units.
These two units are also illustrated in the drawing below. They are the top two units in the
vertical panel.

With these two units alone I can operate:

Communication radios 1 and 2 (COM)

Navigation radio 1 (NAV)

Transponder (XPDR)

VOR radial obs knob

Left and right engine mags

Alternator master

Batter master

Avionics master.

without ever toughing the keyboard or mouse.

Future Version
I want to greatly expand on what I have now to include all the necessary components to
start instrument training.

The following is a rough draft for a simulator platform that will house all the required instrument
components. This platform will sit on my desk and will support a 19" monitor and will
allow me to stow the keyboard underneath it when I am flying

The approximate dimensions will be about 28" wide x 22" high x 19" deep.

.

The following are the panel assignments

Switch Assignments for Sim Project

1

Mag Left

9

Nav 1 Ident

17

Com1/Com2

23

Nav 1

31

ATC 0

A

Fuel Pump

I

Freq

P

Trim

2

Mag Right

10

Nav 2 Ident

18

Standby

24

Nav 2

32

ATC 1

B

Land Light

J

Freq/Obs

Q

Gear

3

Starter

11

Mkr Bcn

19

ATC

25

ADF

33

ATC 2

C

Taxi Light

K

Course

R

Flaps

4

Alt Master

12

DME Nav 1/2

20

XPDR Ident

26

XPDR

34

ATC 3

D

Nav Light

L

Heading

5

Batt Master

13

DME Ident

21

Standby

27

GPS

35

ATC 4

E

Bcn/Strb

M

Speed

6

Avncs Master

14

ADF Ident

22

Freq/Obs

28

36

ATC 5

F

Pitot Heat

N

Vert Sped

7

15

29

37

ATC 6

G

Carb Heat

O

Altitude

8

Reset Gyros

16

30

AP Master

38

ATC 7

H

Cowl Flaps


My plywood race car must be portable. I travel 40 miles per event. If I could race at home I would get nothing else done.	Setup time takes about 20 minutes. I use the speaker system at home and headphones on the road.


Three screens are required for close, hard racing.	Side-by-side, turn 1, Oultan Park UK.

	Click on smaller picture for larger view	The smaller pictures were taken from the latest version of the sim. I switched from the black instrument panel to the Piper Cherokee panel. I also installed the gear switch and indicator lights, installed a new flap switch and added a plug for my headset And finally, I layed some carpet over the floor and moved the entire simulator out of my basement and into a dedicated flight room in my house (not pictured)..