The Ultimate DIY 737 FMC CDU build

[@fsprimo]

Your engineering skills are out of this world

[@helimech8152]

@@fsprimo wow! Humbled by those words. Thank you so much

[@mattdrat3087]

The PCB is cheap for the product you get, well done! What a timesaver!

[@helimech8152]

Thank you, Matt! The debate on Discord was great. It's important to find the right balance to recover some of the R&D costs, especially since this was the 12th revision of the board before the full release. One thing is for sure, it definitely saves days of wiring and troubleshooting!

[@mattdrat3087]

@@helimech8152 The time and effort you yourself and others put into this is impressive! Looking forward to the next video!

[@FWDSKILLZONE]

Karl, your DIY Flight Sim electronics projects are incredible! I was amazed by your MCP project, but this FMC CDU is truly on another level. The detail and functionality of the PCB and the 3D models you’ve achieved are inspiring-keep up the amazing work!

[@JuanCordon]

Karl, I have been following you for a few years now and you have continued to progress, you have done incredible work! I am amazed by your extraordinary ingenuity, I take my hat off to you, bravo

[@helimech8152]

Hello Juan, It is such a pleasure to have you follow along and comment. I was a frequent visitor to your website and I just had to check it out again to see what's new! How are you doing and thank you for all the support over the years. It really has been much appreciated! Have you seen the new MCP yet? Merry Christmas, Karl

[@JuanCordon]

Thanks Karl for the kinds words, my cockpit has been up and running for a few years as well as my site I haven't upgraded since, I'm still on FSX but plan to switch to fs2020 soon. The problem is that I'll have to redo all the interfacing and get into Mobiflight. I'll explore your site again on this subject, thanks again for the help you give to all the sim dreamers😉

[@scottmiller826]

I made the Version 1 FMC for the AW-139 using the steps in that video. Definately not for beginners! The wiring was a nightmare to get all of the connections soldered without breaking an adjoining connection. This new one, although a little more expensive because of the PCB, should make it much more reliable and time efficent to build! Great work my friend!

[@pocdabeno1974]

What a Beautiful Piece of Hardware! Thank you for creating it.

[@helimech8152]

Thank you! Proud of this one!

[@Mikey_beJones]

The Prosim moving lines functions is so cool! Very useful for different FMCs.

[@helimech8152]

Its an ingenious and very handy function!

[@olinwinfrey1782]

I've waited 2 years for this build, and it was well worth the wait. There were a lot of start-and-stop moments with the FMC project, but you really knocked it out of the park with this build. Thanks, Karl!

[@helimech8152]

Thanks Olin, A lot of time, trial and error to get this one perfected. But comments like this make it all worth it!

[@DanielBreitschaft]

Karl you are a genius, congratulations for the amazing project that can be assembled by many simers with perfect cost-benefit! Thank you so much!

[@helimech8152]

@DanielBreitschaft Thank you, it's been a long journey on this one, but the results make me smile.

[@revvingrebel8213]

You are a legend, already told you so on teh flightsim expo in The Netherlands. Seeing this even more. For an electric noob like me this is a dream. Gonna sort it al the products and order the pcb and knobs. Thanks for your passion.

[@zinok2001]

Once more, great job Karl, fantastic way to build your own CDU on a low budget!!!

[@B747-4OO]

Hi Karl! Excellent engineering, realistic backlighting and over all: clearly a masterpiece you developed here! It looks all so clear and easy, but I can imagine the amount of time and efforts that went into this version.

[@helimech8152]

Thank you as always! Definitely the one design i am most proud of in terms of looks and ease of build. But the time involved getting it to this standard was a lengthy one.

[@AdvistaVideo]

Brilliant engineering as usual. So good to see you again. Thank you for your dedication to the sim world. ❤😊👍

[@AdventuresonTour]

So cool... And good for Pro-Sim to supply you a version of their software. You are making Home Cockpit building so easy for the average person now. Pro-Sim should see a boost in their sales as well.. Hopefully they come up with a more home user friendly priced license as well LOL..

[@greenie21]

My goodness. Such a joy watching; I can dare say it’s almost as fun as flying!

[@chrisah1000hot]

Beautiful work as always 👌👍.

[@jurgenbasting1339]

Thank you for your nice products. At the end, it was quite easy to build the FMC v4. The community helped me in order to solve my LED power source problem. Nice Video, you are a nice supportive guy. Thank you Karl.

[@helimech8152]

Thank you. I should have postponed the release until the video was done. But with the move, everything became complicated. It's fantastic to hear you have done it!

[@ОлександрГнидюк]

I'm completely amazed by this FMC CDU, great job! just my two cents for thinking and maybe improving: 1. if already using raspbery pico, why not use standart raspberry board, then you could connect display to it as well. 2. if every display in the cockpit require separate hdmi connection - thats a LOT of hdmi cables and it seems not possible to connect all (full cockpit) to 1 pc. so separating displays to individual raspberry modules looks kinda promising. But it will require some time to figure out how to connect all these modules to sim server (maybe someone on internet already done it, i dont know) And another point - brightness of backlight of all panels is controlled by one knob in real 737, so it would be nice to think about same solution for sim cockpit aswell.

[@craiglaycock759]

Game changer! I hand wired V1 and my cable management was not quite as tidy as yours :) Think this is a fantastic project for anyone. I'll probably upgrade to this version soon!

[@helimech8152]

Thanks Craig, V1 was good all those years ago, but i've gained a lot more experience and knowledge over the years which led to this very upgraded and simple version!

[@activex7327]

I told you about the PCB solution many years ago, finally it is good to see you listened.

[@zoeyzhang9866]

Well design and built! This is what we called a truly maker work! 👍

[@pwolfamv]

Incredible work Karl.

[@garyfly8244]

WOW That is brilliant! Thanks, Karl, for sharing and all your hard work!

[@helimech8152]

@garyfly8244 Thank you, this was hard work, but definitely worthwhile.

[@cryptontgn]

The definition of genius, thanks for all

[@helimech8152]

Thank you!

[@gaborilles4437]

You are wonderful. Your work is unique, high-quality and a huge help so that I can build my own cockpit despite my poor knowledge. I hope that such an Airbus MCDU and single-seat cockpit will be made for Airbus one day. Thanks. Don't stop working

[@helimech8152]

@gaborilles4437 Thank you, as I have real parts on hand for airbus, I intend to create a single seat to a much higher standard

[@peterrose2075]

Karl you are an absolute legend!

[@helimech8152]

Humbled, thank you

[@tseckwr3783]

Great attention to detail. Great job! Thanks. I enjoy watching the build and info.

[@helimech8152]

@@tseckwr3783 Thank you, there was a lot of added info in this build

[@Tijn_C]

I was thinking using the ALPS switches for myself. Although I need to work on my SMD soldering! Nicely done

[@rickestabrook4987]

Great stuff Karl. As usual. Thanks.

[@helimech8152]

@rickestabrook4987 Thank you, I'm hoping to get the quality to standard for all future parts now

[@DBMGH]

WAIT WAIT WAIT... no Tactile SW wiring? Wheres the fun in that? Just kidding, I bought my LCD screen some months ago, so ready to go. I really appreciate your efforts!! Ive built your MCP from scratch, the RADIOs are just wonderful... its all been just great! Im ordering that board today. The new switches sound really really nice as the Aliexp ones are rather, well... im glad you have nice ones in there. The price is AWESOME for what you get. THANK YOU SO MUCH !! Your the reason im in this hobby - Hi from Chicago

[@helimech8152]

I discovered those LED tactile switches along time ago and now everyone uses them. But they do have there drawbacks. Hand wiring them is a mission! I do love these new alps buttons, which i seem to be converting all my designs too.

[@DBMGH]

​@@helimech8152 I just received the board, these are NICE Gourmet switches!! What a wonderful upgrade this PCB board is. Highly recommend!! I bought the custom buttons with it because i dont have a laser, and simple resin ones i can make are not good enough for this nice build, lol.

[@KN1GHTY]

Been a while. Love your videos I have used some of the stuff I have seen to make button boxes and on my steering wheels on my racing sim. Thankyou

[@helimech8152]

Time passes so quickly! before i know its been months since the last video. Thank you for the support!

[@krekel326]

Wow, amazing video and it looks like a great FMC! Also a lot more affordable when you compare it to the one I bought almost 2 years ago for around 650 Euro...

[@PaulMoss-ev9se]

Awesome bit of Kit Karl...Weve got your FO and Captain Ver 1 installed they were mission to solder up all the wires a few years a go.

[@helimech8152]

Hi Paul, I look at them now and they really remind me of the old aircraft panels i used to work on, beautifully wired by hand and must have taken a n age. Now everything is slimline and PCb orientated. I just followed suit lol.

[@nzcirruspilot]

Ha, I made the mistake of soldering all the switch connections first and thought I'd come back later to hook up the lighting. Yeah, nah. But it's done the job and I had fun building it. Looking forward to this new version with proper backlighting support.

[@TheFlightDoc]

Incredible build!! Inspiring me!

[@helimech8152]

Thank you so much!

[@thesimproject73]

I need to retire so I can spend some real time building my sim LOL.... And can't wait for the 73MaxSS that's super exciting news.

[@helimech8152]

It is exciting and to be given dedicated software to run it is 100% motivation!

[@nickwestwood3057]

Sorry I have seen it now!! Thank you again.

[@juanpablonieto3854]

Amazing detailed Word.

[@andy70d35]

Brilliant design and engineering, just wish it was available as a complete kit, don't have a 3D printer. Will have to wait for wingwing version.

[@thspamed]

Hi Karl, cant believe how far this has come from the original build, Looks fantastic! Is there any option to have Airbus buttons instead of the Boeing ones?

[@sky173]

This is brilliant! I'll have to start flying Boeing aircraft in the sim more often. Any plans for Airbus? Great job!

[@helimech8152]

No plans for an airbus yet as www.aviatorpanels.co.uk/product/circuit-boards sell the airbus version.

[@jorgeboardman]

Such a great job there !!!!

[@helimech8152]

Thanks dude!

[@jovaraszigmantas]

Amazing product. Cant wait too see Boeing buying these boards as they are probably better quality than theirs...

[@B-737Captain]

great job karl

[@helimech8152]

Thank you so much! I think I'm getting to a level now that can help people over a whole spectrum of skill levels. Well that's the ambition! Merry Christmas, Karl

[@richard8181]

Fantastic work, 🫡 thanks from 🇦🇺

[@helimech8152]

Many thanks!

[@SarahKchannel]

just have two 4mm holes left and right of the USB pads, so you can zip-tie the USB cable to the PCB and strain relive it...

[@helimech8152]

Love it! Simples!

[@ChrisJones-cs7ii]

Love your work Karl, and knowing a good few avionics techs & mechs, your attention to detail is, like my colleagues, absolutely spotless. Just more out of curiosity though, I've seen you started on A320 hardware now, will you eventually do a SS for an A3X series aircraft?

[@helimech8152]

Hello! Not sure of that one, as there are so many people already doing an A320. Id love to do an A380 however. but thats just a dream right now.

[@ChrisJones-cs7ii]

@helimech8152 yeah I think A318/9, 320/321, 330 & 340 are all basically the same. I agree though an A350 or A380 or maybe even A400M would be a good option.

[@ahmetyagiz08]

Hello. I am a 14 year old young boy who has a 3D printer at home and is interested in aviation and electronics. When I see your videos, I watch them with curiosity. Good job

[@dermolado3351]

SUPER "KARL I" FRAGILISTIC EXPIALIDOCIOUS! APPLAUSE 👏 👏 🙌 👌

[@voxalonarlok4934]

Karl, I'm new to Mobiflight. I am building a basic cockpit for fun but I can't seem to figure out how to connect a matrix via a 4067 Mux board and Arduino ProMicro. Can you show us how the wiring goes or point me in right direction for a video or walkthrough. By the way, your setup has come a long way... I remember the videos when you started building the 747 dual yoke setup and the cockpit build. truly beautiful work. Well done.

[@MrOujdy100]

Amazing !

[@nickwestwood3057]

Amazing work and set up. Can you add where we can get all the required components from please, or have I missed something? Many thanks for the instructions.

[@dotnetdevni]

ur so lucky being this talented

[@helimech8152]

Just my hobby, when i started, this was a massive learning curve

[@flyghost78]

Thanks a lot for this vidéo. Again. Amazing job done here. Question : how a Raspberry pico can handle this much button ? You putted several of these ? Thanks

[@anti2167]

Awesome Karl!

[@helimech8152]

Thanks!

[@fredimachadonet]

This is awesome! What's the model of the Alps tactile buttons? Thanks!

[@korupt3dttv691]

Oh how I wish you made parts for jets in DCS!! Do you have a link or model number for those led switches? I’m trying to make a CDU panel for my A-10 cockpits and think those would be perfect. Awesome job!

[@pelusamono77]

Karl you are my hero, also i have a question, in the website you recommend the Bambu printer but i saw in the video that you use the elegoo 3d resin printer, which do you will said its better? Thank you for all your videos can not be explained better.

[@nzcirruspilot]

Thanks Karl for your amazing work on this. I tried 3D printing the faceplates but couldn't get nice tolerances for the buttons. I will try resin printing tonight. I've mainly used resin printing for buttons and knobs so it will be interesting to see how such a large print goes. Question: Do you think you will provide a modified version suitable for Airbus? Very similar button placement I'd imagine and would open the size of the market for you? P.S. glad to know I'm not the only one that annoys their wife with resin fumes and clean-up ;)

[@helimech8152]

Check out: www.aviatorpanels.co.uk/ Adam already has an Airbus version. Now we have moved to a new workshop. Helen, should be much happier, no noise, mess or smells!

[@tylerljohnson]

rev13 - a slot(s) for strain relief of the soldered rear connections? or maybe you used standard 0.1 spacing for pin headers?

[@JeremyDWilliamsOfficial]

Is there a link for the buttons? Not the ones that are 'engraved', but ones that are plain for laser engraving?

[@jlgarau]

Espetacular!!!!

[@helimech8152]

Thank you!

[@twr4641]

Awesome work! Maybe I missed that part somehow, but where did you get the actual buttons that you placed in your housing? Many thanks!

[@helimech8152]

These are available in the webshop on line in the link in the description.

[@otavioaguiar8619]

What tool do you use to heat the m4 connectors?

[@lukeschneider6202]

what software did you use to design the pcb?

[@amirharsat2224]

I quit my job and I work for you now…

[@stefanilic6268]

Hey, hello. Nice build again. I'm second to ask, where is an STL link for the empty buttons? One without embossed marks, that are plain for laser engraving? I removed those in 3D Studio Max easily, but 3D Studio Max does some kind of interpolation to STL files, so I'm not sure if will it fit perfectly? it would be easily if you just upload empty buttons. Also, the depth of primer and paint coat together could be an issue a bit? I guess you calculated all this in your own design :) Thanks.

[@helimech8152]

@stefanilic6268 hello and thank you. Those can be found in the build guide on the website. There is a whole build step dedicated to blank buttons at step 8.

[@stefanilic6268]

​@@helimech8152 Thank you. Now I see and I was able to import into Inventor. I would like to make buttons on my own because 1) I bought Saturn 4 Ultra & I need a good excuse to buy Fiber Laser :) I have a Falcon 2 Pro 60W diode laser but Fiber could engrave those buttons in a matter of seconds and also be really great at resolution. And just one thing, you should now really redesign your Garmin G1000 with those new tactile buttons and SMD diodes. Also, try to make it to be exact 1/1 replica. I made another Garmin instead of yours (I bought yours also) because your was not an exact copy of the original. If I put some significant effort into something, I want that to be the best possible and most authentic & realistic. :)

[@KevinWRay]

How bout one for the pmdg 777-300 MSFS?

[@VonycBln]

I got 2 of the displays in another project (A320 MCDU) ... 2 of them broke 1-2 days in use ... backlight burnt out due to high current ? (i cant explain it ;)) until i got one with another way how the backlight power is supplied...... have you checked that ? the one which is working is "VSDISPLAY 12,7 cm (5 Zoll) ZJ050NA-08C 640 × 480 TFT LED LCD Bildschirm und HDMI Audio LCD Controller Board (AT050TN22 Ersatzpanel)" ...

[@onepunchndown]

Is that a similar FMC that is in the CH47F in DCS?

[@helimech8152]

Sorry, no idea!

[@Rockeyes]

Would be great if we could use this with DCS

[@debugin1227]

Are you going to build in a bunch of faults so it is like Boeings latest quality control?

[@tin2001]

He should do an April fools video where he goes through the designing and making of a realistic replica of the 737 in flight door ejection button and a bonus segment on making a mechanism to have your office door fling open for added realism. 😂

[@wj625]

Is there a way to make it all self contained? Like use a raspberry pi for video for the lcd? Then it could be used as an FMC trainer? Just wondering if there is a program to run the cdu software? Either way I just ordered it!

[@helimech8152]

It would take someone a lot cleverer than me to figure that one out and work all the logic for the different screens.

[@LaviDzine]

Sorry if I am being daft... just want clarification on the MobiFlight with PMDG addon, will this work in the same way I use MF direct with my Self Build Airbus FMC and the Fenix A320 in MSFS20 or is it only for the PMDG in Prepar3D?

[@SWAFanPilot]

How expensive is the whole thing compared to WinWing?

[@tritiumwu6700]

Does it also function for 777 PMDG?

[@Steveobobevo]

There’s an MCP PCB?!

[@jamesaldrinvytiaco7648]

Do you have MCDU from ATR72-600?

[@helimech8152]

Hello and No, im afraid not. This one took long enough to get right!

[@MrFreakyTv]

Do you have DIY AH 64D keyborad unit tutorial ?

[@chimee1237]

Does this work with MSFS2020?

[@helimech8152]

Yes, I use MSFS Prosim/PMDG

[@chimee1237]

@@helimech8152 thank you!😄

[@truthfxl]

can someone explains how this works on their site? so u just buy it and get the stuff and have to build it or is it already build cuz idk how to build stuff 💀🙏

[@zensuma3553]

❤

[@helimech8152]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jamesbrady8484]

Is this compatible with MSFS 2020/2024 ? I'm quite new to this stuff. Thank you.

[@helimech8152]

Defo (yes) on MSFS2020. Not been able to test it on 2024, but in theory yes.

[@MaxiSoldering]

Прикольно))

[@MetalThrasher91]

Would it be possible to buy a software edition of the CDU in python so I could run it as a practice simulator on my TI - Nspire CX II-T CAS?

[@dotnetdevni]

what lcds are u using for ur mips

[@helimech8152]

For the single seat, im using one large 34" widescreen monitor

[@dotnetdevni]

do u sell any stuff pre assembled a dont have these skills but can program

[@helimech8152]

Not yet, i do have a few prebuilt units, but using them for demos and display

[@clofland5214]

Well I finished mine today. It powered up but says no connection. I use PMDG but have no idea how to program the device. The video addresses prosim very well but nada about PMDG. I was considering the newer PCB but think I will put this on the shelve and just look at it. Me sad.......

[@helimech8152]

Hello, I can't stress enough that this setup (PROSIM/PMDG) will not work for v1 or v2 of the FMC. This is an entirely different electronics architecture. In comparison, it would be like taking a lawn mower engine, putting it in a modern car, and expecting it to work. For PMDG, its a single button press upload. Even simpler than Prosim by a long way!

[@clofland5214]

@@helimech8152 I loaded the FMC file and loaded PMDG. Used the dimmer for LEDs, also supplied 12V to the display card. The usb is working because Mobiflight runs with the program, MSFS 2020 and a PMDG 737 idling at Heathrow.. Nothing displayed on my 5” screen. If I pressed a button on the kit FMC the plane FMC will respond. For some reason I thought the kit FmC would display FMC commands. On the video I remember seeing that on your screen, of course you are using Prosim. Maybe that is the diff. It is a good looking build and I enjoyed making it. But I don’t have the $$ to spend for Prosim. I have watched all of your videos and really enjoy your work. Good day..

[@clofland5214]

I have the V4 board.

[@helimech8152]

@@clofland5214 I think you may be missing the basics, like detaching the PMDG screen and dragging it to your new screen. Have you enabled the broadcast option in the PMDG file? I would get onto the Discord channel on the FMC Channel and get help from those who use PMDG daily.

[@helimech8152]

@@clofland5214 discord.gg/zm9CxUdAW7

[@MRRGNDTOAIRCJS]

QUIERO UNO, PERO VIVO EN MEXICO. UNO DE A320. CUANTO CUESTA? PLEASE TRASLATE

[@TheLoner70503]

I am from Spain, and after 40 years I still wonder if what they taught me at school was English, or a language from some tribe in the Amazon. Because every time I hear a British person speak I understand absolutely nothing. Quite the opposite of when I listen to an American.

[@helimech8152]

Turn on subtitles?

[@Z-Ack]

The heck is this thing for? Whats it do? A flying simulator? Wha??

[@M511Tactical]

Amazing we’re still using such dated technology 😂. Imagine if we had a real modern designed from scratch FMC