Building a Boeing 737 Cockpit
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- I'd like to tell you how I assembled a Main Instrument Panel, purchased from Opencockpits in Spain. That will take up the first 38 minutes of this video and then I'd like to show you how I built a Boeing 737-800 cockpit around it. These are the main chapter points for quick reference.
01:39 Unpacking the MIP
04:33 The Assembly Begins
22:58 Wiring the Instrument Panel
29:45 Adding Covers and Mains Power to the Instrument Panel
30:57 Connecting the Computer and Aligning the Monitors
36:07 Testing the MIP's Connections
38:08 Part 2: Building the Cockpit around the MIP
45:11 Adding Some Extras
46:39 Finishing Up
48:18 Starting the Simulator
56:21 A Test Flight over the Canadian Rockies
57:33 minutes long; 1080p High Definition Video. Free to download. No attribution necessary.
Reconstruction Update videos: • Quarantine Updates - Věda a technologie
I’m 15 and I’m gonna do everything you did. I was gonna work hard and rack up 50,000 for a full cockpit and an overkill PC, but If I can build it myself, and save thousands, I’d gladly do it. Especially now with the help of Father Dane. This is going to be a great learning experience. I will learn construction skills, soldering skills, coding, and aviation skills. Thank you, Father!
Your are very welcome. And yes, you will learn all those skills - and more. I wish you all the best with the project. 👍
Hey dude! I would recommend you save up for flight training if you are thinking to fly. And save up for a smaller aircraft sim. Which is way cheaper. And will translate directly into your flight training aswell.
Safe skies!
This is fantastic Father. What a great job. I'm a brit (from Cumbria) thats lived in the US for the last 20 years. Also a private pilot and flight sim enthusiast.I work as an electronic design engineer for a robotics company so this video was especially interesting. I find all your videos very enjoyable, and your explanations detailed and delivered with such a friendly, familiar and relaxing voice.
Thank you. You are very kind. 😀
Thank you for sharing - the obvious excitement in your voice reflected exactly as I would feel - enjoy
Will do - thank you
Love your quiet, detailed way of explaining and your precise way of working. Thx a lot.
Thank you for your kind words😊
Absolutely fantastic Father, excellent video thank you very much for sharing and your time in making this video. You have given me inspiration to build my own. Happy flying
Thank you
What an amazing kit. This is serious flight simming taken to a new level.
It took a long time but it's worth it
@@FatherDane how much was it
@@aidyford7946 I would guess that the cost to replace it now would be somewhere around £30,000. It's hard to say as I purchased the parts bit by bit over 16 years, but this is a rough estimate. Does this help? 😊
@@DamienRyanUK yes thank you
if i was on a plane and the pilot suddenly had a issue, i would want father dane on that flight.
I can here him now, "Now come on son, you go and sit in the back and let me take over".
Absolutley brilliant job.
god bless father dane and all those who fly with him.
This old dog thanks you for your kind words 😊
This was great to watch, all the saving up and hard work putting it together has paid off, I hope you are enjoying the home cockpit 😊
Yes I am - it's good to have a hobby in one's old age
You really are a delight to listen to! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Thank you
Thank you for your documentairy, you explain it very well and relaxed, it is a long sit and you had the patient to build this amazing complex room.
im absolutely speechless! GREAT JOB!
Thank you
What a blast! Thoroughly enjoyed the video.
Thank you
Amazing work. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome 😊
Fr. Very nice job. Your a great storyteller. From Los Angeles California USA 🇺🇸
Peace be with you. ✝️
Thank you. And from the UK I hope you are staying well. Happy Sim flying to you
damn, this is something that i would love to build for my kid to encourage him to go for a professional pilot as he grows up. very nice setup you have there
Thank you
Watching from Guyana. I absolutely love it. I have this burning desire to have one myself.
Safe flights and soft landings.
And you too!
Awesome and superb detailed! Loved watching this video.
Thank you 😊
As a retired B737 Series Captain, I was amazed at the incredible job you did assembling this maze of wires and electronics. Well done. I enjoyed your video very much.
Thank you. I also had the assistance from a 737 pal of mine who flies for Ryanair. I had him sit in the captain's side (where he always sits) and with his eyes closed, I had him reach out to all the switches and other controls that he would reach for in the normal run of things, and everything was where his hand went. That was my biggest challenge: getting the angles and positions correct. He had some valid criticism regarding the tension on the yoke - mine is a little soft (but you should try the yoke on the C-47 I used to fly if you want to build up your upper body muscles) and of course, he did note that my seating was not up to Ryanair's (or Boeing's) standards :). Otherwise he was able to make a successful and comfortable flight (with me in the FO seat) and was quite impressed. That was all I needed to feel that my work with all those tiny wires (and magnifying glass) was vindicated. He assisted me with dimensions and proportions so I could make sure it was a true 1:1 construction at every stage. If you are ever in South Yorkshire, please let me know and you can try it out for yourself.
Father Dane Haven’t traveled much since retiring, but should the opportunity present to visit, I will. Thank you for your gracious invitation. How long did it take you to complete (this far), start to finish? May I ask what the cost is on this project?
@@iwmtrainingroom7516 It all began 16 years ago with a single computer and a joystick using FSX. I am an old pilot now (I used to be a young bold pilot) but I still like the touch of the controls so piece by piece and part by part I bought and assembled and expanded as I went. The major purchase of the MIP from Opencockpits in Spain was the start of the final version I have now - that was in 2018. It took many months to put that together, and I had to check the circuitry and connectivity as I went along - and it was a few more months after that and after assembling timber and vinyl flooring to form the tight and almost "claustrophobic" effect of the cockpit that it appeared as it does today. As to cost. Well, if there was a fire I suppose I would be needing around £25,000 to rebuild it the next day. But that cost has been spread out over 16 years to get it to this today, as you can appreciate. But I do enjoy it - even the low frame rate doesn't take away from the joy of flying once again.
Father Dane - Old Pilots all share at least one thing in common, we survived. I knew many who did not for one reason or another. I’m sure your Sim provides many hours of enjoyment for you. Thank you for the added detail, and for doing such an amazing job filming your project. 😊
@@iwmtrainingroom7516 Thank you
I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to film and edit this absolutely perfectly detailed video. I have been looking for such a good description for years so that I could start planning my 737 cockpit. I am about to start construction of an outdoors building that will house the sim as well as my film editing sweet and workshop. I just hope that my finances are going to cover the lot so that I can start replicating your good work to finally enjoy some more realistic and immersing sim flights. Once again thank you so much for your help.
Thank you for the comments. Building yours in an outdoor building is certainly a better option than taking over a small bedroom. As an aside, I always desired a motion rig but I didn't have the space but if you plan a building, then may I suggest you look at putting in some hydraulics to give you motion? They don't have to be long but enough to give you the "feel". Also, if you have the space, may I also suggest that you ensure you have width to put in a 180 or 270 degree screen as that is so much better than what I have. I keep promising myself that if I got a windfall of cash dropping into my lap, then that is what I would do for my own simulator. Happy landings
@@FatherDane Hello there and thank you so much for your kind reply. I also was envisaging the possibility for some hydraulics, hight requirements and finance permitting, being a retired mechanical engineer that would make the project much more appealing and exiting. My only concern is haw to interface that to P3D using one of the existing interfacing additional softwares. I have successfully added my personal micro controllers such as my own gear down with lights and my conversion from throttle potentiometers to encoders for much more sensitive and precise engine thrust control. Pots are very susceptible to temperature and humidity variations as opposed to encoders which are essentially endless rotary switches with fixed values for a given position.
I am open to suggestions on the hydraulic interfacing note.
Kind Regards
The people at www.opencockpits.com/ have done it so I suggest speaking to them for more info. Contact support@opencockpits.com and see what he can tell you. I haven't got that far yet so I don't have specific details but this is a way to start. Good luck
@@FatherDane ! . . Excellent . . I shall follow your advise and thank you for pointing this out to me. Unfortunately, my building work has been interrupted by this absurd virus as I can not get machinery or materials. However, I shall invest this time to investigate further the possibility of a full-motion sim and will let you know the outcomes. Kind Regards, Mauro Andreini
@@9111logic :)
Came to get a quick look at your setup. Ended up watching the entire thing. This is incredibly impressive.
Thank you - I have made some improvements on it since this video: I replaced the projector with three large television screens which makes the illusion so much better. 😉
Wow..great job! Video was exceptional! ..so is the cockpit! Glad you got the opportunity to enjoy and share this project! I presume you've recieved plenty of humor as to who your flight crew are, and especially who crews the right seat! Amazing, thanks!
Thank you for the comments. Much appreciated. And yes, various people have sat in the right seat over the last year. Whenever I have a visitor who want to fly, they are always encouraged. The last visitor I had before the quarantine was imposed was the local bishop! Who would have guessed he would like flying a 737?
Haha! Love it! I fly RC scale airplanes, I understand the passion for "engineering the experience", researching, learning, building, then sharing the joy! Many good flights to all!
@@francisconti9085 :)
Amazing outcome! I am inspired, now! Time to start saving!
You will not be disappointed. 👍
The best intro I have ever seen in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you
Awesome and high detailed video ! Nice cockpit !
😊
unbelievable how how good this looks. Congratulations to you sir!
Thank you
That intro is to good 😂👍👍
I like having a bit of fun
I just was going to say this
Amazing stuff, thank you for sharing
Thank you
Absolute joy to watch this video- great work Sir!
Thank you
Just picking my jaw off the floor.....😮
That was a fantastic job....👌
Incredible amount of effort put into that....much appreciated you showing this...I hope you have hours of fun.....👍
Thank you. It is a lot of fun. All the best for the new year
really cool video. Great work too! Have great fun with your simulator. When you make upgrades in the future I would love to see what and how you are doing!!
Thank you
So detailed I could smell the circuit boards! One of the best "How I did it" videos out there, clear and steady presentation, good tips and ideas. Plus a thing most presenters forget - the intro where you are told what and when to expect things during the video.
Now I just need to get back into fsimming, this video is a strong push forward. Thank you ⭐
You are more than welcome. Happy landings
Wow incredible 👍👍 I love the intro with your Lion roar!
Thank you 😊
I was duly entertained while watching this! This has kind of got me thinking about constructing a cockpit for my flight sim as well
Then you should go for it. You will not regret it.
very well explained, very detailed video. I'm now confident that I can build my own cockpit.
the only thing I need now is the money
It took me 16 years, so unless you are rich, you will need patience
@@FatherDane It took you WHAT?!?
@@jumbledsiren8190 Yes sir. I started buying parts years ago: a yoke; some pedals, then an EFIS and an MCP. Bit by bit accumulating what I needed until I could afford the MIP and put it all together. But let me tell you this in no uncertain terms: it was all worth it! So, go for it!
@@FatherDane how much did it cost?
@@classonbread5757 Money was my problem too. So, I purchased parts as I could afford them over a 16 year period. I don't know what it is worth today but some have estimated it to be around £25,000 if I had to replace it all in one afternoon :)
this guy *builds a entire plane cockpit*
comments *i lIkE tHe iNtRo*
Thank you
Really good set up Good to practice and stay fresh ready to flight!
Thank you 😊
Simply extraordinary in concept, construction, and final functionality. Well executed and equally well explained.
Thank you for those very kind words 😊
after this video his electricity bill came in 6 figures
Jan Raid r u sure I think 10 digits
Actually it pulls less than 1 kwh when everything is one and running
XXxxPhil_is_the_onexxXX 522 I’m prettifying sure it’s 10,000 figures. Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a small bit
@@FatherDane Still much cheaper then the real thing ;-)
you need a powewr IPU in the back of your livingroom
Great video. I saw that you had 3 1080's and in the part at 33:40 it shows 3 1060's why is that
connor gibson I also see that I guess he get confused . I think he had 3 GTX 1060
Yes, three 1080 monitors but the graphic cards are nVidia GTX1060 cards which is just the model designation
your the best, for taking your time to give so much info step by step
from start to finish unbelievable thank you much.
Thank you
This is so inspiring and a very clear video, found your channel today and out of all the cockpit builders videos yours is my absolute favourite
Thank you, that is very kind of you to say so. 😊
@@FatherDane I sadly saw you sent the sim to Italy, all though fantastic for their parish!! Have you stopped flying altogether or have you still got a sneeky set up?
@@Anythingfortherockstar No, it's all gone now. It was a good run, though 😊
That intro tho lmao... 9 seconds into the video and I just... cant anymore lol
@Triple Seven In english they say "I just can't anymore lmfao" meaning, that they are laughing hard af. So... Hopefully you've learnt something new today.
I did
very good job !! i wonder about the cost of all of this ...seems very expensive!
It all depends on how far you want to go with your simulator. I have been building mine for over 15 years and I suppose it is worth somewhere around £25,000 now if I were to start again. Does this help?
@@FatherDane It helps persuade me its far too expensive for me. And over time I would think VR is going to make cockpits like this largely redundant. I appreciate that VR lacks sufficient resolution at present but in terms of what you see visually, it isn't that many years away and will be far cheaper, about 1/10th of the price I would think and more immersive. I admire what you have done though, it looks very impressive.
@@cbcdesign001 Yes VR will be an economic alternative for many people. However, there is still a sizable number of people who can't use VT for various reasons, and I am one of them. Another drawback to VR us the lack of tactile ability - the lack of proper touch sensation. I had a set of touch screens I used for an earlier model but there is nothing like the feel of a switch or the twist of a knob.
@@FatherDane Yes, until VR is further developed to add touch (gloves?). In particular, the stereo vision VR offers is a major advantage. Adding motion is another difficulty with full cockpit builds. Also, VR offers the flexibility of flying a Cessna for a bit and then a 747. Your build is amazing and commands respect, enjoy!
@@izsakitt3711 Thank you 😊
Well done! that is absolutely brilliant and you’re so good at explaining everything. Fantastic!!
Thank you. 😀
Thank you for sharing this! It’s given me the inspiration to make my own flight deck! I’ll most likely be DIYing it since I don’t have the money for this whole setup!
That is how I built mine over a 16 year period. But the result is worth it. Happy landings! 😊
the only thing that will be taking off is his electric bills XD
Dont worry too much. His parishioners will pay that for him with no problem
@@1110Zappa How do you know that he's not paying with his own payment? Not every priests are bad.
I have been building mine for over 15 years - a bit at a time. And I paid for it out of my own pension.
@@FatherDane 15 years??? You are a very patient man…
@@idekav. It was worth it. And besides, I could only afford the parts a piece at a time 😂
You need an electrician to come in and wire all those power switches onto one switch to turn the whole thing on. Nice setup. Does your congregation know their tythes went to your sim? lol
Paid for out of my own state pension over 15 years
What a blessing. THANK YOU FOR THIS!!
You are more than welcome. 😊
Father Dane, I love your outlook, I could listen to you all day :) have subscribed. Thank you!
Thank you for your very kind words. 😊
You’re a clever man.
I must confess I had to skip in the end to the bit where it’s working . Hats off to you
Thanks for the compliment
Father Dane, what an excellent video on all of the nuances of how to complete a 737 cockpit. I thought it was a most excellent video and presentation with excellent detail. I have a much smaller scale cockpit that I am in the process of upgrading but you provided a lot of excellent ideas on finishing the cockpit. Thank you very much for making this video even after your long journey in completing your simulator.
Thank you for your very kind words 😊
This was the best spending of my time watching ever.Marvelous,you make me jealous .Thanks for sharing
Thank you for your very kind words 😊
absolutely amazing, never heard of anything like this before. All the best in flights.
Thank you 😊
This is the most amazing fit of DIY engineering. You are a GOAT Father Dane!!! This is incredible!! Wow ! WOW!!!! Amazing!! You can actually learn how to fly real planes using this setup. One day I'll build something like that for myself and my future kids
go for it 😂
That intro was the best thing I’ve ever seen!
Thank you
This is complete awesomeness, thanks for sharing!:)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi. So happy you shared all this. So explaining for me that is currently building my own cockpit. More in mdf and by my own speed because of the cost. Soon finished a CNC-macchine to carve out most of the panels. This hobby is Amazing. Now i am not scared to continue. I know whats coming up. Once again, thanks for this video. /Mikael
You are most welcome. Enjoy your cockpit
That into was hilarious 😂 and the video was excellent!
Thank you
You did a wonderful job! I learned a lot, thank you. Congratulations and enjoy your flying trips. Greetings from the Netherlands.
Thank you or is that dank je?
@@FatherDane yes, that is a correct Dutch answer! I love your total commitment and perseverance. 👍👍👍👍
A remarkable achievement - thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome 😊
Wow that amazing you must be good with electronics and have a lot of patience. It looks great, I can imagine you have some fab flights, well done for a great build👍
Not good at all with electronics - I just read the instructions before diving in. But it works and you can see the result. :) Thanks for the comment.
Amazing work!! Looks great
Thank you
Incredible work! Thumbs up! I can't imagine how much nerves and money you spent for it's building !
It took a long time, but thank you for your kind words 😊
Many thanks for your exlant efforts👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you
your cockpit is a dream thanks for share it!!
Thank you
Amazing job Father Dane. I'm from El Salvador and my classmates and I tried to do something similar in a 737-200 cockpit with non equipment inside. Unfortunately we couldn't continue the work. We were trying to do everything; like, the software with Labview and Matlab and the avionic part with Arduino but we faced several problems with the interfaces with those programs. Now a days we are looking forward to continue the work. This video will help us a lot in order to continue.
Thank you very much.
es un placer servirle
Great job and thanks for sharing!
Thank you for watching
Best intro ive ever seen hands down.
I like to have fun - even pensioners can do that :)
Impressive build well done
Thank you
This is awesome I hope some day I can get something like this. Thanks for the amazing video I hope you get lots of fun out of this. Keep it up
Thank you
Very clear explanation. Good job!
Thank you
Fabulous effort, congratulations. :)
Thank you
not for the faint of heart - kudos to you for doing the hard work it took to build this behemoth. I hope you enjoy flying your new sim cockpit for many many hours. Ii applaud the investment of time, money, sweat and tears. Cheers!
Thank you kindly! And all the best for 2021
gosh darn, padre!! this is killer!! nice work!
Thank you 😊😊
This is so Amazing.. Thanks for sharing with us.
You are very welcome, sir. 😊
Amazing Video. So detailed...Perfect...
Thank you
You make it sound easy ,however i think you have worked hard to get it right . GOOD JOB
Thank you
You earned yourself a sub, amazing build!
Thank you
No problem. I should thank you for making this video for us.
Thanks for posting!!! My next project in May!!!
Looking forward
Congratulation with your new home cockpit. It sure looks very good. The video itself is also very good and should be used by Opencockpits in their marketing of the modules.
Happy flying.
Thank you 😊
Enhorabuena. Felicidades por el montaje y, que lo disfrutes. Saludos desde España.
¡Hola! Muchas gracias por el comentario. Me alegro de que les guste. Y saludos desde Inglaterra.
impressive!! Superb!!! Thank you father, very good instructional video.
Thank you
As an electrical engineer....i am having a conniption just looking at that wiring lol .... Absolutely fantastic job and i wish you many hours of pleasant flying
It was a doozy - and I needed a magnifying glass for a lot of it because the wire was so small and the sockets were even smaller. I had a wiring schema but following all those lines with these old and tired eyes was a challenge. It took me several weeks to complete the wiring part and then there was the testing part where I had to track down any connections that were loose or crossed. That is worked after all that was a miracle 😉
@@FatherDane Fantastic job, i am so envious it must give hours of joy, especially in recent months
@@gabrieldillon11 Yes it does - I can "go" anywhere in the world I want and that is a great bit of natural home therapy 😊
Absolutely amazing 🤩
Thank you 😊
Loud & Clear, I love your voice sir, reminds me of someone's narrator in a documentary (don't remember which). Keep it up Father Dane, greetings from Brunei.
Thank you. You are very kind 😊
Excellent presentation, Thankyou!
You're very welcome! 😊
That was AWESOME!!!!!
Thank you 😊
Fantastic Father Dane....I am impressed and proud of you all at the same time...!!! Go well...
Thank you. I am still in quarantine and this does help to keep me occupied and challenged.
@@FatherDane Yes I am sure it is a great past time. I am away from my X-Plane and stuck until International flights start up, so missing it terribly....enjoy..!!
@@basilkilian5459 👍😊
Great build!
Thank you
I liked the beginning lion the most 😃👍👍👍 awesome job
I like to have fun 😊
Amazing. I am determined to get one of these.
It is a lot of fun! 😊
...when you get bored building regular 'ol models... you buy this! lol GREAT VIDEO! Amazing!
Thank you
I will be building a real cockpit from scratch soon. Great video. 👍
I'm glad I've been able to help. Good luck with your project - it really is something that is rewarding. 😊
amazing work !
Thank you 😊
Thank you grandpaa you helped mee so much because of you i can start my project🙏🙏
You are more than welcome. I wish you well in your project. 😊
Thank you for sharing this! Wonderful job, not only creating it, but showcasing it in this video. Perhaps when I retire, I will have the time to do something similar, but not to the grand extent you have. --Fr. Gene
I found that the project helped me enormously with the transition from active to semi-active retired and then to retired. When I noticed so many of my friends suffering from dementia it caused me to do something about it - and building a 737 in my spare bedroom was the answer. The experts say that if the mind can be constantly challenged it will prevent the onset of dementia. So, fiddling with small wires and tracking down connection errors certainly presented the challenge. As does the exercise of planning an ILS approach in the working cockpit. I still have my commercial pilot's licence (with IFR etc) and while I couldn't pass a flight physical to actually fly anymore I can at least keep my skills up-to-date. Enjoy the videos.
Great job, enjoy 🧑✈️🛫
Thank you 😊
Amazing job!!!
Thank you
I really love the intro, so funny xD
I like to have a bit of fun
This is amazing. Congratulations. The only thing I would correct is the alignment of the side monitors and color calibration.
You are correct, of course. But it is a tricky thing to do. 😊
Thanks for the perfect video 👍👌👍
Thank you for your kind words