Alternate Use for OEM Rudder Pedal Circuit Breakers

OEM circuit breaker switch.  The two connectors on the rear of the switch are very easy to connect to an interface card for push/pull functionality

The picture at left is of an OEM circuit breaker that has been removed from an OEM rudder crank unit.  The front plate of the control mechanism has several circuit breakers on the Captain and First Officer-side of the flight deck.

Although connection of the circuit breakers, to the original functionality that was assigned to the switch in the aircraft, is not necessary (unless wanted), there is no reason why the circuit breakers cannot be used for additional functionality outside of the simulator environment.   Many enthusiasts have specially made panels that reside in the center pedestal to address such a need. 

The circuit breakers are basically an on/off push/pull switch.  Each switch can be easily wired to a standard interface card, such as a Pokeys or Leo Bodnar card, and then configured in ProSim-AR to a particular function.  If using FSUIPC, the functionality of the switch can be assigned to any on/off function.

For example, using FSUPIC (buttons) it is possible to assign each circuit breaker to a simulator function such as: pause, sim acceleration, jetway extension, etc.  The list is almost endless.

In my simulator, I have the Captain-side circuit breaker switches configured to simulator pause and simulator time acceleration.  These commands are readily accessible within the FSUIPC framework.

The circuit breaker switches are aesthetics, therefore, configuring the switches to regularly used commands is a way to minimize keyboard usage, and de-clutter the flight deck.

This post is not exactly a thrilling entry. 

I am working on three articles at the moment and a detailed review of the SimWorld MCP and EFIS.  I also am slowly updating previous articles to take into account changes to technology and ideas.

I hope to have these ready for publishing in the not to distant future.   Best,   F2A