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"We are the protagonists of our stories called life, and there is no limit to how high we can fly."


PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

The Most Amazing B777 Ever!

Built by Saul Midler...


Of course if you're building a simulator in your house, you need to have the catering cart to go with it. But who spends three years building such an incredible machine? The worlds biggest AvGeek, and technically brilliant human! Keep reading if you want to learn how he did it. 

2007 - Aero L-29 Delfin. 
Hands-on including barrel roles and 3G turns.

Saul tells me that he has always loved aviation and has dabbled in flying.  He even took lessons and learned how to barrel-roll a fighter jet. But as he said, "Sadly I didn't make it my career."  At first I thought he hadn't made a career of military flying. After watching his expertise flying the B777, I knew he must be an airline pilot. 


But he's not a pilot. Saul said, "I've flown desktop sims since Microsoft released their first version in the 90's. By 2017 I had three screens on a shelf (outside world), one screen centered on the desk (MIP), a basic yoke fixed to the desk and no pedals. Then a friend showed me some youtubes and dared me to build something better - I hate being dared to do something better!" 

How to Build a Simulator 

Step 1 - Build a prototype.
  • Cleared out home office (a room not quite 4m x 4m)
  • Designed a layout to maximize the space. Unfortunately the room was too small for all 6 windows.
  • Purchased and installed 3 second hand projectors.
  • Built a wooden frame for Pedestal and MIP
  • Built a curved screen 2.4 m high and 8.5 m long providing 220 degrees of field of view outside the aircraft
  • Yoke on a block of wood
  • Bought two car seats from a car wrecking yard ($40 each!!!)
  • 2 x reasonably good PCs
  • Learn lots of different software product

6 months later: Prototype successful




Step 2 - 2 year tear-down, rebuild. and upgrade

  • Purchased a new more powerful PC (total 3 computers)
  • Purchase 3 new brighter sharper projectors
  • Seats sliding mechanism (currently version 3)
  • Throttle quadrant (currently version 3)
  • B777 Yoke (currently version 2)
  • MCP upgrade
  • Sound (upgrade to 5.1 surround sound)
  • Lots more software including real weather interface

Overhead is a computer screen driven by a mouse


Step 3 - Overhead rebuild. 
12 months slow construction during 2020:

  • MCP: FO EFIS control panel
  • B777 overhead panel
  • Wet-compass
  • butt-kicker in captain's seat
  • 4 air-con ports into the flightdeck

Overhead on work bench (dining table) 
showing wiring to interface card

The Final Product 


Ingenuity, Creativity and Time, 
There is nothing Saul can't do. 

All I can say now is ....
Saul, I dare you to build me a better an A330! 

Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene 


8 comments:

  1. Saul living the avgeeks dream! Did you ask what sim he uses to drive it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sim software is Prepar3d, B777 is by SimAvionics

      Delete
    2. So cool! I fly P3D for jets XP11 for GA. Still a long ways from having a flight deck like that though! Hats off to you!

      Delete
  2. Super job! Jealous much but I think the wife would kill me if I get any ideas. Hoping to have a BAE Jetstream 31 fuselage in the back yard instead to restore/convert

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment! If your comment doesn't appear immediately, it will after I land. Enjoy the journey!