Main Instrument Panel (MIP) Arrived - Updated Progress

/

fds mip in a large crate in trailer

At last, a phone call from DHL Freight Forwarding has advised me that the Main Instrument Panel (MIP) I ordered from Flight Deck Solutions (FDS) in Canada, in August, has finally arrived and is ready for pick up.

This means that the next phase -  the actual construction of a working sim can begin in earnest. 

The box that is used to transport the MIP is large as the MIP is prefabricated. When you order a MIP from Flight Deck Solutions you can choose to have it flat packed or prefabricated; I choose the later.

To recap on what has been acheived since August 2010:

  • Research, ordering and implementation of project

  • OEM 737-300 throttle quadrant overhauled and converted to operational use with flight simulator (FSX) & troubleshooting completed

  • Several phidget cards installed and calibrated to correct operation

  • 737-300 center pedestal overhauled and ready to populate with avionics modules

  • Platform base constructed and painted

  • Weber Captain and First Officer seats procured and overhauled to working order

  • ACE yoke & column purchased, calibrated and flight tested

  • OEM 737-500 yokes and columns procured and awaiting conversion to operational use in flight simulator (March 2012)

  • Computers purchased, configured and networked

  • MCP and EFIS (pro version) purchased from CP Flight in Italy

  • Avionics modules (various) purchased for installation to avionics bay and evaluation

  • Main Instrument Panel (MIP) wired and prepared for installation and evaluation

  • Various genuine B737 instruments procured and awaiting conversion to operational use in flight simulator (in due course)

  • various software add on packages purchased and evaluated

Therefore, everything appears to be ‘green for go’.