Matt's Multi-Mission Military Flight Simulator

SIM various

James & Ted visit 2003

Sim pilots 1999-2004

Basement tour 2004

Canopy & projector

Sound system enhancement

SIM TV studio

The sim originally started with an F-16A stick. It was later replaced with a more capable F-16C stick which featured more switches. The F-16C main control grip was then replaced with an AV-8B grip which is essentially an F-18 grip with the trim and castle hat switch positions reversed. This grip provided a much improved feel over the former F-16 sidestick grips since the AV-8B grip was made to be a center stick. This stick worked extremely well for over a year until it was replaced with a far more capable A-12 stick grip. At the same time, the modified A-10 throttle grips were replaced with a set of A-12 grips as well. The A-12 throttle grips were modeled somewhat after F-18 grips, but with more switches added and the radar tilt wheel is located on the edge of the left throttle grip instead of the center. All of the A-12 grips were cast out of metal, unlike the A-10 and AV-8B grips which were made from metal and some sort of composite material. The A-12 grips provide the maximum amount of multi-function switches to provide the ultimate in HOTAS control. There is simply no more room for other switches based on the limitation of 5 fingers on the human hand. Most switches are 4 or 5 way switches, meaning they can move forward, backwards, left, right and down. They controlled everything from AAMRAM to auto throttle functions of the A-12.

Instructor's station

Flight controls

Instruments

Control heads

HUD & MFD Functions

Misc.

Childhood sims to present

Evolution of current sim

Ejection seat progression

Planned upgrades

EPIC interface

Instrument interfaces

HUD development

Other projects

Software

Parts sources

The switches on the A-10 throttle quadrant base were also replaced with magnetically-held versions for the engine start and fuel flow functions. This allows the fuel flow switch to automatically switch to the "OFF" position when an illuminated engine fire button is pushed. The engine start toggles will stay in the "START" position until the "ENGINE CYCLE START" light on the annunciation panel extinguishes, upon which the switch will automatically snap back to the "RUN" position. While I have acquired other throttle quadrants over the years, I still prefer the A-10 version since the APU, engine start, flap, and fuel flow switches are all incorporated into a standard 5.75 width base and the built-in position-sensing switches are extremely convenient for sensing engine shut-down and afterburner positions. Some of you may be saying "What the hell is an A-12 Avenger?" Well, this A-12 was not the offshoot of the SR-71 of the 60s, but a completely new stealth aircraft designed for the Navy by McDonnell Douglas in the late 80s/early 90s. It resembled a "flying wing" design and after millions of dollars were invested, and the first flyable prototype was 80% done, the program was cancelled due to cost overruns and technical barriers. When the program was cancelled, many subcontractors were left out in the cold with existing inventory destined for nowhere. This included the grip manufacturer, and over the years these grips found their way from McDonnell Douglas to eBay through various surplus sellers. So these airworthy, super-advanced grips never flew. But they serve as fantastic grips for my simulator application and the metal housings and MIL-Spec switches provide the expensive, solid feel that can only be obtained through true military hardware where every aspect of ergonomics and switch feel is meticulously over-engineered.

For historical reference, the abnove picture depics the first thottle arrangment I was able to construct. This was pre-eBay and consisted of an F-16 throttle grip mounted to an F-105 throttle quadrant. While it looks silly, it actually worked pretty well and would do until I could find a source for a decent dual engine throttle quadrant. Oh yeah, you gotta love that big-ass trim wheel!

In January 2005, an interface was finally added to enable the right hand throttle grip's cursor positioning control to act as a PC mouse. Cursor movement speed and direction is linerally controlled based on the directional force placed upon the positioner cap. Pushing the cap in emulates a left mouse click. This new interface allows menu access and function selection on the main sim computer, which is essential when no instructor is present. It also allowed the removal of the mini trackball assembly that was located behind the throttle quadrant for years. Now the last of the common pc-related hardware has been removed from the interior of the sim.

Each button on the throttle and control grips connects to a two pole relay. One pole is dedicated for interface to the EPIC switch bus so that the computer knows whenever any switch is thrown. The other pole is used when a non-EPIC function, duch as activating the ICS push-to-talk function and mouse click emulation, are required. This enables maximum flxibility in switch interface without having to worry about having the EPIC activate relays for functions that can best be handled by a direct switch interface.