Thinkpads Forum

This simulator ran on five XP Pro computers running up to seven LCD displays for inside instrument panel graphics and outside views.

There are other photos of the Sperry SP50 autopilot modifications before installation, seat construction and upholstery, center control stand construction, etc., but I got tired of re-sizing photos. If there is something you'd like to see not presented here, let me know.

What I started with. $400 for real instrument panel modules from a retired Boeing 727-231:



Placement of gages using MS Panel Studio for MSFS so they would match the instrument panel holes in the panel. This gage package was actually from a different 727 simulator aircraft as the original gage folder would not play nice in a 'detached' window mode. I like these better because of the tape indications and are easier to read.



Gage panel programming complete and refinished gage panel in front of display monitor before installation in the aircraft. Thrust reverser and Thrust Reverser Unlocked indicators were also working and powered by 24VDC



Entirely scratchbuilt throttle quadrant by your's truly. Aluminum, plastic, wood, and rubber was used in construction. All controls worked with the aircraft function.



Overhead control panel for AC, pressurization, pneumatics, de-ice, some radios, all interior and exterior lighting, anti-skid, yaw dampers, transponder, stall warning (stick shaker) test, engine start, etc.



General construction photos:

Quite impressive! Very evident the tremendous amount of ingenuity and work that you put into it.

Out of curiosity, why the 727-200?

I've been in love with that aircraft ever since I saw my first one at St. Louis Lambert Field back in the '60's when I was very young. I love the looks of the aircraft, three engine capability, and you have to actually know how to fly this airplane, and it is one of the last you could actually get away with flying by the seat of your pants. It is very responsive and very forgiving as long as you don't get low and slow at the same time. The engines spool slowly so you have to get the power settings (EPR) correct especially on approach.

It can go as slow as 155 knots at full flaps depending upon weight and will make M.80 without breaking a sweat. It was one of the fastest airliners in its day. The DC-8 and the Convair 880 were also pretty fast too. It lands easily as long as you have it dialed in and know what you're doing but you have to stay ahead of the aircraft by five miles or you'll be behind it before you knew what happened. It's very sensitive in pitch on landing because the T-tail is not in the wing-wash of the main wing. The little Piper Tomahawk is the same way. Most airliners you have to fly all the way to the ground and the 727 is no exception. It will float quite a bit in ground effect if you are not paying attention to your speed. Speed and power is very important in this aircraft.

I would take the simulator up and perform near-stall training, steep turns, slow flight at all flap settings, simulated emergencies (what else is there in a simulator), one engine out and two engine out approaches which are very tricky on one engine especially the right or left.

My favorite places to fly where in the Austrian Alps, Bayern, flights to Heathrow and Prague. Flights were usually no longer than an hour and a half actual flight time, but with flight planning, pre-flight, and setting up the aircraft it could run as long as three hours. Running through the checklist was a 30 minute task for the first flight of the day. Turn-arounds were much faster.

Training and flight manuals from TWA and USAir:



M.78 enroute somewhere over Europe.





Departing Friedrichschafen



Departing Wienn



Evening approach. Probably DeGaulle, could be München.

So when are you adding animatronics for annoying incessant passengers that think they know how to fly the plane better than you do .

And its not like you don't have the skills for it too.

I like the little touch of the real 727 manual. So how much of that manual is actual info and how much is warranty info?