Hardware
Hardware is a very interesting field in home cockpit building and most likely the most important field. Hardware can be split into two components: inputs and outputs. Inputs are the basics and very easy to accomplish however outputs require more money, time and skill. As for inputs I see the most important elements to be:
- Basic Control Inputs
- Autoflight System Control or Mode Control Panel (MCP)
- Systems Control
Basic Control Inputs
Basic control inputs are the hardware that you need to fly the airplane. You need a yoke or joystick to control the lateral and vertical controls of the aircraft and a throttle quadrant to control the flaps, speedbrakes and the engine thrust setting. Additionally you could use rudder pedals to control yaw and wheel braking. I have all of the above mention, all supplied by Saitek. Saitek has a very good quality-price ratio and I highly recommend it.
Autoflight and System Control
To control the autoflight system I built m y own autopilot panel to control the heading, altitude, speed inputs, etc… For all switches, knobs and pushbuttons I use the BU0836X Joystick Emulator Card by Leo Bodnar. Its one super piece of hardware which allows you to very easily connect switches, knobs and pushbutton and it makes the flight simulator think its a normal, ordinary joystick thus you can program it like any other joystick. Super easy.
Additional Possible Hardware
Additionally you could buy other pieces of hardware. There are highly realistic, near to 100% authentic mode control panels for prices around 899 euro. Check CPFlight as an example. GoFlight produces some cheaper hardwares, as the 120 euro radio panel that I use. It all depends on your budget, but I still believe that building it yourself, regardless of the loss in authenticity, is a lot more fun and rewarding.
