How To Build A Cessna 172 Home Flight Simulator Setup Guide

[@StayLevelAvionix]

Nice video - informative and engaging, keep it up!

[@mr.dnpalmer]

Thanks for this video. Im currently gathering the parts for my new simpit build which will be very much like yours. 2 G5s, GTN750, G500 autopilot all from Realair, the TPM plus, honeycomb Alpha and Bravo, same 48" monitor and 12" touch screen plus tablet for duet display, tablet for garmin pilot and lots more.

[@flightsimguides]

Awesome glad you found it helpful!

[@Theamateurstudentpilot]

Very amazing setup , you should check out the mixed reality build I am in the middle of , I’m sure the same concept would work great on a full scale panel like yours 👍

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

This is what I’m looking to do. Think it’ll be way better than monitors and all the extras. Things like radios that you don’t use that often can be activated in VR. Would like to hear more when you get further down the path.

[@robertarmstrong3841]

Very nice video. Love the detail. My setup is quite crude, but I have some ideas now to improve over time.

[@kmg501]

Thanks for this expose on your setup and costs. What I would like to know is how well a home built flight sim station can translate into usable real world knowledge.

[@flightsimguides]

A flight sim like this will help build familiarity with startups, with navigation, and with instrument scanning (and use) in the cockpit mostly. Actual flight characteristics are "so so", normally a bit more squirrelly in a sim depending on the model you choose to fly. Build good habits on the cheap in the sim, and they transfer perfectly well over to the real world. Just keep in mind, you build bad habits in the sim, they'll transfer over just as well, so make sure to get some training in the real aircraft as well. Also, if your intentions are to fly in irl cockpit, just remember there's no substitute for the real thing. But this is a pretty daggum good supplement... ;-)

[@kmg501]

@@flightsimguides Thank you for your insight, it is definitely appreciated!

[@discodave1976]

I am former rw pilot and igi, Been doing this 30+. If a rw pilot is instrument rated and not using a sim, that pilot is not very smart, and imo, dangerous. Even if they own their own aircraft or fly professionally. In a sim, Seat of pants, VFR flying is getting better, but that is not where sims really shine. Anyone can jerk a joystick, so to speak. They are great for IFR/VFR procedures, scenarios, ATC comms on vatsim or pilotedge, learning cockpits, learning navigation G1000-5000 usage, autopilots, SA, CRM practice. Flight planning on simbrief, weather briefing, doing checklists, startups, shutdowns, the list goes on. Make your mistakes in a sim first. Hiring a flight instructor to look over shoulder, once in a while is recommended, even if not logable time. Step one should always be a real certified Ground School, online or in person. Sporty's or Gleim online is $100. This is a life long hobby. I am old and still involved in aviation via simming. Good luck

[@discodave1976]

Thanks for quality video. Glad to see you using flexible Air Manager/knobster desktop solution. I am not affiliated, btw. I went down the same glare shield flight deck rabbit hole. I had monitors behind etc etc. XP, AFL 172sp, etc. Honestly, as a rw pilot and instructor, you will outgrow a 172 quickly, particularly in the sim. Another solution is to just use 2 touchscreens and 1 or 2 knobsters. Specific aircraft Flight deck, hardware switches, not necessary and takes away flexibility. The upper monitors depend on system capabilities. 1 upper mon 16x9, 24x9, or 32x9 with track ir works fine. My current system is corsair vengeance 4090 i9 with 3x32" lg nano ips, 2xasus 21" touchscreens and 1 knobster, no Track IR needed. I fly mfs longitude end to end on vatsim and pilotedge. I try to fly perfect trips with checklists, startups, atc comms etc. There is a great Airmgr longitude panel $20 by sling tony. Experimentalsimavionics dot com (not affiliated)You should try it and the longitude. Flies all sids stars rnp .3 certified approachs, nosewheel steer, speedbrakes, thrust rev, advanced coupled vnav G5000 with autothrotle, retractable gear. The Airmgr panels have pfd, mfd, 3 gtc touch controllers, lights, ice, complete pedestal, standby ai, afcs autopilot. Totally resembles the real cockpit and fits on 2 touchscreens. No mice in my cockpit! My point is, after doing this for 20 years, the fascimile flight deck is cool but really isn't necessary, takes away flexibilty of diff aircraft, and will keep one from growing into bigger and better, higher and faster. I would bet a dollar if you fly this Longitude in MFS on vatsim you will find it very hard to go back to the great, but painfully slow, 172 trainer. No offense. Air manager/knobster and realistic panels is all you need. Totally immersive as well. Good luck

[@flightsimguides]

Yea, for sure, my panel is actually a hybrid on the right side, I can pop the whole right panel out and pop a physical 750 with AP in, just haven't done it, yet. Will def be in a future video cause I'd love to set that rig up. As it is pigeon holed into a smaller GA style aircraft, it's still flexible enough to work for Cessna 172, 182, Piper Warrior, any RV, Mooney, etc. Anything with similar avionics, retract or fixed gear, complex, high performance, etc. Won't do much for jets or helicopters, but it's still decently flexible. Thank you so much for your input, though, Air Manager is def a great solution, and I love the physical items from RSG. Met both of them at the expo this past weekend...

[@djwashx]

great setup if I have nothing do I start with computer 1st

[@flightsimguides]

Yea a computer of some sort is a good start. Then the software. Add on from there. Upgrade as you go.

[@LucidFX.]

great video, thank you. i see some are usning Air Manager or Mobiflight. and with Air Manager do you take the PC version or Android etc versions and run on tablets

[@AllenPortman]

Thinking about moving away from Apple/Mac after 4 decades and building a PC. What are the primary specs you have on your gaming/flight sim PC? Disregard! I guess I should have watched the entire video first! Thanks!

[@flightsimguides]

Yea, pc building isn't my forte, but I found that the PC for a sim build just is the better option. And I'm a mac guy, too, so that was a hard statement to say, lol.. But 40 years being all in on Mac, dude, my hats off to you, sticking through the rise and fall, and rise again of Apple!

[@brianhymas]

great video Mr. Flight Sim Guide man!

[@flightsimguides]

Thanks, dude!

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

Great review. ’m considering a mixed reality VR system (Quest 3). I have an old set of GFX cards but a fast computer. Am considering a steamguage monitor, knobster, throttle quadrant, pedals, and force feedback yoke. Would like to have a cessna feel but not necessary straight away. Any thoughts on this setup ? Radios recommendation ? BTW were all your panels running off one PC (through USB hubs etc) or d9 you have a slave PC for the panels ?

[@flightsimguides]

@@GodzillaGoesGaga sounds like a good build. I’m running the whole setup off a single pc. As far as radios, I’d say to find something that’s compatible and is accurate to what you are flying irl, or just choose your dream radios and avionics setup. At the end of the day, it’s your sim, build and have fun with it!

[@mikemiller1658]

I have a question regarding your video card(s) setup You have ultimately 6 screens between your main monitor, main panel gauges and then your GPS's and G5's. How did you manage all those connections? Are you running networked PC's or one PC with 2 video cards? I only as as I have one video card with 4 available slots and would like to add more myself but not sure how or the best way to accomplish this. Appreciate your help in advance!!!

[@flightsimguides]

@@mikemiller1658 good question…. The 4 additional “screens” for the gps and g5 units are actually plugged into an hdmi -> usb converter and plugged directly into the computer motherboard. The motherboard supports integrated graphics and works fine for low rez low latency low refresh monitors. Such as the G5’s and 530/430. The other monitors you see are plugged into a normal graphics card, the nvidia GeForce 3080 in my case. Hope this helps. Bottom line, plug em into the computer with the converter and it’ll work like a regular monitor.

[@mikemiller1658]

@@flightsimguides AWESOME!!!! That helps out a lot!!!!

[@pilotwasif]

Amazing setup and thank you for creating this video.

[@domorelivehappier7950]

This is such an amazing build!! Thanks for sharing your journey

[@TheXak662]

How do you deal with needing to look over your shoulder in the sim? I've got a tiny thumbstick on the flight yoke that i can't seem to adjust the speed for so it's like i'm trying to turn my head with a neck brace on. the alternative was hop into my VR headset and lose the ability to see all my flight controls and be forced to hold the headset controllers which makes it incredibly difficult to have any physical flight controls

[@flightsimguides]

My key bindings are a bit of a mess but I had the left and right trim tab set to look left and look right. So if I needed to glance, I just hit the tab on n the yoke….

[@welshparamedic]

PEDALS?

[@flightsimguides]

I’ve got a set of Ruddo Pedals from Virtual Fly…. They came in later in my build in case I missed them in that video.

[@flightsimguides]

Here’s a video focusing on the pedals and flight controls: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4TdZnegp9eGd6Msi=6blqURvRnR0bc8v4

[@junesondrab3833]

Id like to build a setup that will allow me to upgrade to commercial planes. Do you have suggestions?

[@flightsimguides]

You might want to setup a cirrus sr22 cockpit. I think those are designed for upgraded training on avionics u would use in more commercial aircraft. As far as controls, just have a honeycomb bravo ready to go. I always say look at the aircraft u want to fly and try to emulate it with the controls and avionics you can purchase off the shelf.

[@junesondrab3833]

@flightsimguides Im looking at the Real Sim Gear Cirrus SR22 or the Xforce Sim. Both full cockpit with seat and frame. I just dont know the differences. You can still pick which plane u want to fly in within the software, right? The Xforce is a bit less expensive when comparing packages.

[@flightsimguides]

@@junesondrab3833 yea u can pick which plane to fly, it just may or may not match up with your physical cockpit. RSG has been good to me, and they have good support. My experience with XForce was less than stellar so take that for what it’s worth.

[@junesondrab3833]

@flightsimguides understand. I think since Im not sure how far I will take the hobby to start out, I'm not above 5k. I dont really need to physical Garmin units, which seems to bring the package to 8k.

[@GS-vf7qf]

Love it!

[@flightsimguides]

Thanks!!

[@discodave1976]

The Airmgr/knobster desktop solution is great. I was rw pilot/instructor. Hardware cockpits are 1 step better, for example real sim gear g1000, cirrus perspective, with hardware knobs, everything, but honestly, you are stuck with this g1000 setup and the cirrus. With incredible aircraft coming out frequently, for example WT G5000, why not use the flexibilty of AirManage realistic panels? When the Collins Proline or garmin g7000 comes out with new stuff, all i have to do is buy a new panel for $20-30. The AM solution is $200-300 vs inflexible, hardware home cockpits at $5000 and up. Makes sense to me, just sayin no offense. Not affiliated. Touchscreens are the future of most GA and Corporates anyways.

[@flightsimguides]

Yea, I really like AM, if I had to do this again, I might consider using as much AM, even two screens, as I could. I love it's flexibility. What rw did/do you fly, @daveaviationknowledgeorg? I flew H47's for 13 years.

[@MaynardKrebs-rp4ov]

I wish I knew what you were talking about, could you explain to a know-nothing. My grandson had his first flying lesson 1/5/24. Just started looking into this, way over my head.

[@TGabrielTPOI]

I'd recommend buying a Brunner yoke. Yoko is a joko

[@flightsimguides]

Yoke is fine, lol, the price is the joke…. Haven’t heard of Brunner, I’ll scope that out…. Thanks!

[@TGabrielTPOI]

@@flightsimguides Brunner is a forcefeedback yoke. Top of the line in the economical class (similar price point as yoko which is not forcefeedback) Brunner is building GA simulators for Lufthansa

[@Factory400]

Roughly the cost of 40hrs of dual instruction in a modern 172. Not bad. For training and proficiency.....these setups save more money than they cost on top of being fun. Fly safe.

[@flightsimguides]

For sure…. Thanks! Yea I’d prioritize training in the real aircraft I think, then start building this slowly throughout progression from private to instruments….i think the most bang for the buck will be found with instrument proficiency and procedural training. Fly safe as well!

[@larrysouthern5098]

Great video!! KISS...keep it simple simulate.... 🐦

[@flightsimguides]

Haha, simplicity is for the second time around when you’ve learned your lesson…. ;-)

[@timnasseh4838]

Can we fly you out to Florida ? Build this in our home

[@flightsimguides]

i could be persuaded....

[@shadetreehomesim]

Wow… my whole Cessna cockpit even with the i9/4080, 3 55 inch 4K tvs came in under half of that.

[@flightsimguides]

Awesome, you’ll have to send your loadout and prices…

[@shadetreehomesim]

@@flightsimguides Honeycomb Alpha-$220 15.6 touchscreen (eBay refurb)-$80 2 Logitech FIP Gauges-$240 Propwash Comm Panel-$129 Propwash Radio Panel-$129 Flightsimbuilder GNS 530-$250 6 Arduino Megas-$120 1 Arduino Uno-$14 Associated wiring ~$20 Rotary Encoders/Linear Potentiometers-$30 Aviation Training Foundation Switch Panel-$199 Aviation Training Foundation Fuel selector-$120 Aviation Training Foundation Flap switch-$70 Wood/paint/misc-$100 2 Vizio 4k 55 inch TVs (low end)-$450 (225 each on sale) 1 old Sony 55 inch 4k (purchased 6+ yrs ago…not counting towards price but you could add another 225 based on the Vizios) Hardware and monitors :$2171 (2396 is you factor in another 55 inch tv) Cyber Power PC i9 13900k Nvidia 4080 32GB DDR5 1 TB ssd $2800 Grand total…$4971-5196 (depending on if you add in that 3rd TV for estimate)

[@shadetreehomesim]

@@flightsimguides kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHnKdouKoNllb5Ifeature=shared Complete tour of the setup with pricing…roughly $5400

[@Nutduckyvr]

Can you do a Cessna 152

[@mansoormohamedali]

Inspiring.

[@woodsocial]

damn well done

[@flightsimguides]

Glad you like…. :-)

[@CessSim]

Great stuff love it !

[@flightsimguides]

Thanks!

[@HoundDogMech]

Buy a $10,000 symulator it will be worth every penny when U sell it to upgrade. Besides your flying friends will help you pay for it with seat time. and it legal to log hours. Back in the early 70's when working on my Instrument rating my flight instructor had an OLD LINK Trainer in his basement. That was more difficult to fly than the club PA-28 140 or 235 or even the Aero Commander Darter.

[@flightsimguides]

yea, i'm not sure how well the computer will hold its value, but everything else, if working, and relevant to what another pilot is flying, the panel should at least hold its value for sure.... Unless ur messin about, but it was kind of hard to tell, it kind of came off like Bruce Willis in Die Hard while pushing himself through the vent system, "go to LA, have a few beers, have some laughs, it'll be fun....", lol... Either way, thanks for the comment and happy simming!

[@bryanbeck7616]

No rudder?

[@flightsimguides]

@@bryanbeck7616 I’ve got pedals…. Ruddo by Virtual Fly

[@KarthikSharmaWanderer87]

Good Setup. But in reality, the amount you have spent on the setup is worth for close to 100 Hrs of real-time flying 😅

[@flightsimguides]

that is correct.... and also why I made this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6SloopjqsppjtE

[@jeremiahpuckett5836]

‘Merica!! Hahaha

[@flightsimguides]

haha, was wondering when someone would mention that bit....

[@frankissa8040]

13K! bro how much is a used plane?

[@flightsimguides]

lol lot more than 13k these days…. Coming around to the idea of building an rv-10…

[@helicopterovirtual-msfs6254]

Sensacional.

[@kensanders2617]

Talk about "Over Kill"

[@johnbisges5631]

Where can I order the flight panel?

[@flightsimguides]

I talk about it length in the video, you can skip to the chapter on Panels…. This was a custom panel by Stay Level Avionix, though.

[@eddyg1794]

You could do this or for that money get your PPL and join a flight club and actually fly lol....nice setup though.

[@flightsimguides]

haha, right, I built this to stay proficient for instrument flying, and realized "dang, i could have gotten an entire instrument rating for that money..." Lessons learned, but I really enjoy the build, so it's all good.

[@MyChannelForever]

You have no idea how many people I met who thought exactly the same and spent their money to get their licence... And literally none of them were flying after they got their licence because hiring an aircraft is extremely expensive... But once you paid for something like this then its yours forever and you can do hundreds or thousands of hours of practice for free! I think thats money well spent:)

[@flightsimguides]

@@MyChannelForever makes total sense and no regrets here. I have no reason to burn holes in the sky until it makes sense to financially. Love the sim and the tech behind it. Its like a playground for me....

[@christophergaus3996]

Same for me. I've had a few opportunities financially to get a pilots license, but I've never been in a financial state where I could afford to keep flying after lol. Simulator is maybe a smart alternative

[@TheOneTrueSpLiT]

For anyone like me who has the Saitek/Logitech Pro Flight Yoke I recommend the "Leo Bodnar mod" (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGekhKF_bNlla6M) which fixes the ridiculous dead zone in the pitch axis and gives much more fidelity in both axes. I also disabled both the pitch and roll "return springs" and used Silicon Grease on all areas were metal meets plastic. The results are incredible, it turns a cheap and limited yoke into a completely different monster, I was consider getting the Honeycomb Alpha but after these mods there is no need. It's just a shame there's no mod to give a full 90 degrees of rotation in the roll axis. But for £30 you'll be amazed what a few minutes of soldering will accomplish.

[@flightsimguides]

That sounds really awesome, I'll check it out. I used the LG Flight Yoke prior to getting the Yoko and I agree, it was okay, but I had some minor issues with it that magically worked themselves out with the Yoko. Mostly keeping it trimmed laterally, could not keep it going straight to save my life unless I put the AP on. Not a great experience when in the clouds trying to fly instrument procedures (which is hard enough in a sim).

[@TheOneTrueSpLiT]

@@flightsimguides I've been flight simming since 1982 with Psion's Flight Simulator on the ZX Spectrum but in all that time I've never had a Yoke, I got the Saitek Yoke because I've been using the X52 Pro since 2006 but I was thoroughly disappointed with it as soon as I plugged it in. I decided to keep it and near-on immediately opened it up and got rid of those damn springs which made things "slightly" better. But that damn dead zone drove me to despair and I was thinking about getting the Honeycomb just 2 weeks ago. I'd seen various videos on here of the "Leo Bodnar mod" but hadn't pursued it as although I have an A Level in electronics I do not have a soldering iron, and I didn't have much confidence in me successfully pulling it off due to the strokes I've had ruining my eyesight and dexterity. But I got a complete soldering kit off Amazon and the Leo Bodnar chip and the required header cables (it doesn't come with them, and get the free USB cable they offer as you need that to connect the Bodnar circuit to the Yoke's USB hub). Two days later it had all arrived so I took a deep breath and fired up a soldering iron for the first time in 35 years! Fifteen minutes later my jaw was on the floor due to the HUGE difference it made - there is no longer ANY dead zone and the most delicate of touch is registered giving the ability to finally fly with it properly. For me it was a no brainer and cost £30! I'm sooo glad I held off getting a completely new yoke as it would have been crazy. Happy days are now here 😊

[@montaignedarbyakwallstreet7602]

The Biden voice killed me 😂

[@flightsimguides]

lol, i had to watch the video again to see what you were referencing... Glad you enjoyed!

[@theStonedOne-420]

Nice... almost worth a used cessna 150 :)

[@flightsimguides]

@@theStonedOne-420 almost….

[@flightsimguides]

@@theStonedOne-420 you have one and want to trade for a flight sim?

[@larrysouthern5098]

diy is bes....

[@kensanders2617]

For that money you could buy a 172.

[@CapnJackFltSimChannel]

Very pricey, but good and interesting video. I am nowhere near that kind of price but mine serves extremely well and I spent several years upgrading and making it better. You can see my setup on my flight sim channel www.youtube.com/@CapnJackFltSimChannel

[@flightsimguides]

Awesome thanks for sharing…. Yea I’ve found that this was a bit more of an undertaking for what most folks will build. Most r building a much more resourceful and flexible rig for maybe 3 to 6k total including the computer. Appreciate the feedback!