While my simulator is built from a Cessna 172 fuselage and my primary aircraft is just that, a 172, I will be adding a 182 and a few other GA aircraft to the system eventually. I may even throw in a twin-engine GA...

In the interim I have, where possible, added the additional controls needed for more advanced aircraft such as a prop control and landing gear switch, cowl flap control and aileron trim and so on.

My core software is Prepar3d by Lockheed Martin and A2A Simulations 172 Trainer. In addition to those I have a number of add on software packages to enhance the experience and add functionality. More about that on the software page.

The system presently runs on three PCs. The first is my workhorse PC it's a liquid cooled Core i7 running Windows 7 64 Bit. It's fit out with 8 Gig of RAM, dual Solid State drives, one running the OS, the other running P3D and a Hard Disk drive for storage. I'm Running an NVidea GForce 780. With plans to upgrade the video in the near future and add liquid cooling to it as well.

The second PC is a much more basic Core i5 that runs my Instrument Panel gauges and soon my Force Feedback System. My Gauges are a mix of mechanical gauges and software-based gauges so that I can more easily change aircraft types.

The third PC is a Core i7 and acts as an Instructor Station. It also handles real time weather generation via Active Sky and access to live online VATSIM Air Traffic Control via vPilot.

My avionics and much of the advanced interface required to integrate the cockpit with the PCs is done using Arduino cards and custom code that I and others have developed. At last count there were 9 Arduinos in the build with more on the way.

More details on the sim in the pages that follow.

Simulation is at its best when you find that point where illusion and immersion peak.

It doesn't matter whether you're sitting in a cardboard box making engine noises or you're converting a 737 fuselage in your garage, when you build a simulator you must first create an illusion and then you have to immerse yourself in it.

When you or anyone else uses your sim it must, even if only to a limited extent, give the illusion of operating an aircraft. However the greatest illusion you can develop will fall short if you cannot immerse yourself in it. Imagine being completely caught up in flying a very difficult approach to minimums in turbulent weather. Just as you reach the decision point you get a pop-up message saying your Anti-Virus software is out of date and needs to be updated. All the advanced simulation hardware and software in the world can't create a good enough illusion to get you past that jarring loss of immersion.

I chose to take it up a notch by building my sim using an actual fuselage and then set out on a multi-year eBay hunt for as many original Cessna parts as I could find and afford so that everything you touch in the sim that should be Cessna, is Cessna, AND, works as it does in the actual aircraft.

I also looked for the subtle nuances that might cause a person to lose immersion while using the Sim. For example, proper directional sources for various sounds, force feedback in the controls. airflow in the vents appropriate for the operating conditions of the aircraft.

Eventually as time and money permits, I will be adding a 210 degree wrap around projection system. I have also setup a dedicated space for the sim that has blacked out surfaces and other treatments to reduce distraction and help maintain immersion in the illusion.

No matter how basic or advanced your sim setup is if you keep both illusion and immersion in mind, you'll create a far better experience. 

Illusion and Immersion are the key!