Trying to start a Blackhawk UH-60L homemade simulator using FSX or P3D

[GSS Rain]

I'm trying to see if FSX or prepar3d using existing third party software has the ability to support a homemade UH-60L Blackhawk cockpit that is at least 80% to 100% controlled by real hardware and not by the clickable mouse inputs to the on screen cockpit.  By hardware control, I mean using Arduinos to build the overhead panels, center console, main instrument panel, circuit breaker panels, throttle quadrant, etc.

My plan is to use Pro Flight Trainer Puma for the cyclic and collective. In conjunction with this I am going to gut the insides of a thrust master warthog throttle and remount the many hat switches and butttons into the collective. That way I could still use its software to program the hat switches.  Or I may try and locate the hat switches myself and maybe use FSUIPC to make assignments. I have a lulzbot taz 5 3D printer to remake the collective into the proper shape and mount it.

As far as add ons go, I saw Cerasim and Virtavia both make Blackhawks for FSX but Virtavia's model looks like the most modern cockpit according to the pictures I see of it. They also have a more populated center console. 

Now I'm an electrical engineer by profession and not a software engineer.  I can use existing applications to write code in the IDE but not the skills to create something out of nothing.

I built an A-10C warthog homemade cockpit using Digital Combat Simulator and a third party software called DCS-BIOS.  Digital combat simulator has over 20 flyable aircraft but DCS BIOS only supports 4 planes and it states that.  I'm wondering if FSX third party software has similar limitations or do they completely cover every I/O point on every aircraft in the game.

Link to YouTube   

 

 

As far as FSX and P3D goes, I see YouTube clips of 737 homemade cockpits but I am not sure if software like link2FS or mobiflight is covering the whole cockpit I/O or are they using software like PMDG for the 737.  Could I expect similar results with a Blackhawk sim.

So my question is can I use FSX or P3D to build a Blackhawk cockpit and expect that there is existing software to drive the entire cockpit using arduinos?

Thanks,

GSS Rain

 

[Pete Dowson]

42 minutes ago, GSS Rain said:

So my question is can I use FSX or P3D to build a Blackhawk cockpit and expect that there is existing software to drive the entire cockpit using arduinos?

I don't know Arduinos at all. I assume they have some sort of USB or serial port connection and drivers to make then look like, what, a collection of buttons and joystick levers?

If FS can see them then FSUIPC should be able to as well.

If you need outputs you'd need to do some programming, to extract the information and send it.

In other words, to interface any hardware other than straight forward joystick types you need to write some software.

Pete

 

[GSS Rain]

Mr. Dowson. I'd like to first thank you for your many contributions to the computer and simulation community. You are an inspiration to many. 

For example the virtavia uh-60L has a pilot and copilot FMS mounted in the center console.  I would simulate this by using an Arduino Mega (can handle 54 I/O points) to drive a TFT display of similar size as the real one.  But I would be relying on the third party software to send me the new string data anytime there was new data to display.  Now as far as inputs, this box has 43 switches so I would use 43 tactile 12mm or 6mm push buttons as digital inputs.  So that anytime a button is pushed, the arduino will see it.  It also looks as though there are 4 annunciators too so that means 4 digital outputs where I would tie these to LEDS.  The overall shape of the face and buttons I could make using the 3D printer.

I just moved to the Binghamton, NY area and I'm on my iPad in an hotel.   My apartment is suppose to be ready later this week were I can move in all my computer gear.  Once I'm moved in, I plan on purchasing FSX or P3D.  I'm hoping things like the FMS is modeled where I could press any of the buttons and the corresponding action happens.  

 

FT

[Pete Dowson]

7 hours ago, GSS Rain said:

But I would be relying on the third party software to send me the new string data anytime there was new data to display.

I think, for an Arduino, you might need software for the switch inputs too. I suppose you have someone lined up to write the programs for you?

7 hours ago, GSS Rain said:

I'm hoping things like the FMS is modeled where I could press any of the buttons and the corresponding action happens.  

Best for an external FMS (rather than just one on screen, part of a graphics cockpit) you should be looking at an Avionics Suite of software like Prosim737. (http://prosim-ar.com/).

Really you are asking all this in the wrong place. My software is an applications program interface in FS/P3D, not a hardware driver at all. It is actually a compatibility layer so that programs written to talk to FS98, FS2000, FS2002 and FS2004 can also work with FSX and P3D. For new applications it is more efficient to program directly to the interface Microsoft themselves added in FSX - SimConnect, which my software layers on top of.

If you are looking to do your own programming then this is where you should be looking. -- SimConnect, in the FSX or P3D SDK.

For better cockpit building answers you should look at http://www.mycockpit.org/.

Pete

 

[GSS Rain]

Will do. Thank you.