Cockpit Advisor
Which simulator do you plan to use?
If you
build a home cockpit for an older simulator, there is a greater chance of
finding good existing tutorials.
Building a cockpit on a newer platform can also be advantageous because the
community is larger and more active.
DIY or Buy?
Do-it-yourself usually lowers the costs, get you more specifications but lengthens the construction time considerably.
You may have to do things two or three times before the result is satisfactory.
With purchased products, you can shorten the construction time and rely on good quality.
Do you have a particular aircraft in mind?
If you want to replicate a specific cockpit, this can severely limit the available selection of products. For this reason, it can sometimes be worthwhile to make the cockpit more general.
Diy solutions will shine here, because even if there are no specific tutorials, there are usually similar instruments that you can use as a guide.
Joystick or Yoke?
If this question does not arise directly with the choice of aircraft, we have some tips here too.
If the cockpit is only to be used temporarily, a joystick is recommended, as it can be quickly put away. Even if you don’t plan to use rudder pedals for the time being, there are plenty of joysticks that can be rotated around their Z-axis. You don’t have to start with a complete cockpit. Everybody has started small.
If space is not a problem and rudder pedals are a must, a yoke can be a real gain in realism.
Do I need Rudder pedals?
Rudder pedals greatly increase immersion. Therefore, we recommend rudder pedals for every build. Here, too, there are already affordable products for beginners.
Alternatively, the rudder function can be placed on the Z-axis of many joysticks as described above.
DIY solutions are possible even here, but can be very costly.
Do I need a Throttle?
A throttle is a “must” with a yoke, a “can” with a joystick.
Throttles are also available on the internet from low to high prices.
Do-it-yourself is a cheap and easy alternative.