How To...?

Get Real!
Simulating An Authentic Flight Deck Experience

By Cap Mason, FlightSim.Com Flight Simulator Editor

Flight decks come in a wide range of different configurations. These ready-to-go systems from GoFlight add realism to your flightsimming regardless of whether you fly a single-engine prop or go for the multi-engine heavies.
Click on the thumbnail images below to see enlarged versions.

Cessna Skylane

Piper Navajo PA-31P

Piper Meridian

Maule M7

EADS Socata TBM 700C

DHC-2 MK1 Beaver

Cessna Conquest II

Cessna Caravan 208B

Cessna 320 Executive Skyknight

Cessna 310L

Beechcraft Baron 58

Beechcraft King Air 350

Cessna 210

Cessna Citation X

BAE JetStream 41

Bombardier Challenger 600

Bombardier Challenger 300

Boeing 307 Stratoliner

KC-135

Take virtual tours of the
Boeing 767 and 777 flight decks
     


777 Flight Deck


Airbus A300/A310

Airbus A330

Airbus A340

Airbus A350

Airbus A380

Boeing 787

In today's installment of the Get Real! series, I'm going to connect the dots on the fast and easy way to create an authentic flight deck experience. After you get your basic flight controllers, to enhance your flight simulation realism you might consider adding a flight deck control system. After all, why would you only want realism in your add-on aircraft? Why not enhance the entire experience from the first line of your checklist to exiting the cabin at your destination. Whether you fly stock, freeware or payware add-ons that push the realism envelope to the max, your flightsim experience leaps to a higher level of realism when you add a flight deck control system.

Kick It Up A Notch

When you graduate to "serous fun" in flightsimming, you'll want to add a flight deck system you your basic PC and flight controller set-up. Flight deck control systems are compact, self-contained racks loaded with configurable hardware modules. They sit alongside your PC desk and kick flightsimming realism up a notch, big time. Adding a flight deck system gives you actual hardware with readouts, that simulate the real world operation of radios, autopilot, throttles, landing gear, flaps and many other functions. These systems give you a much more realistic feel of flying than you could ever have from clicking on your screen, typing keyboard commands, or even issuing voice commands with Voice Buddy.

Flip, Twirl, Push, and Pull

I looked at everything out there in the flightsim world that you can use to build you own flight deck system. There are lots of cool devices that enable you to flip real switches, twirl actual knobs, push genuine buttons and pull realistic levers. All, except for one system, require a substantial amount of assembly, complicated configuration and offer significant computer interfacing hurdles to overcome. The one system I found that eliminates all the headaches, delivers all the realistic fun, and is compact and easy to install, configure and use; is made by a little company in Beaverton, Oregon called GoFlight.

Just Kick It And Go!

Founded by flightsimming fanatic engineers, Frank Bouton and Doyle Nickless, GoFlight has developed four ready-to-go systems that accurately model a variety of flight decks from general aviation single engine props right up to multi-engine jet giants.. The best thing about GoFlight systems is that they take all the guess work and interfacing headaches out of the equation. These systems all use handy USB interfaces, are a snap to set up and easy to integrate with your existing PC and flight controllers.

CH Product Throttle Quadrant Not Required

One important note for those who are considering how to build your flight deck is the fact that if you opt to kick realism up a notch with GoFlight, you won't need a CH Products throttle quadrant. All the systems featured here include their own, highly realistic, throttle assembly. They range from the full-featured 4-lever system of multi-engine jets right down to simple push-pull throttles on single-engine props.

Connecting The Dots

We have previously reviewed GoFlight gear and you can use the links below to check out the details. For Get Real!, I asked the GoFlight guys to, "Build me the perfect flight decks for everything from general aviation singles to multi-engine heavies." And they did a wonderful job with the challenge. Frank and Doyle created four systems that are ready to kick-it-and-go right out of the box.  In this article, I'm going to cut to the chase and show you what you need for four different types of flight simulations:  Private Pilot (basic entry level) General Aviation (good), Corporate (better), Commuter (best, for twins) and Airliner (the ultimate for heavies).

Basic Entry Level:  Private Pilot

If you're looking for a place to start with flight deck realism, but want to build your system gradually and with a smaller initial investment, the Private Pilot configuration is a good place to start. It gives you the basics plus all GoFlight systems are completely modular. You can leverage your initial investment as you add more components to gradually build your advanced flight deck system. This is the essential elegance of the GoFlight system. Everything comes pre-cabled and ready-to-go so you only need to plug in the USB hub to any available USB port. Everything can be reconfigured to add modules, program functions and much more. So, your initial investment is always preserved as you go forward.

The Private Pilot system works for any aircraft, even helicopters. It contains six of the most popular GoFlight modules. Like all GoFlight systems, everything is pre-wired and connected to a built-in 7-port hub. It covers the basics for everything you need for full panel operations for every aspiring private pilot and includes:

Good:  The Essentials For General Aviation

This is the system for you if you want to fly single-engine general aviation aircraft. It is an excellent place to start crafting your more realistic flight deck. And since all GoFlight system are completely modular, you can add components to build or change your flight deck as desired. This system is for you if you love flying the prop or turbo singles such as:

Click on the image below to see details and read call-outs.

 

The Computer Pilot General Aviation system is an entry level flight deck with these essential components:

Better:  Advanced Control for Corporate Twins

Like flying GA twins? This is the system you'll want for enhanced flight deck realism. It's perfect for handling your favorite corporate twin ride such as the:

Click on the image below to see details and read call-outs.

The Corporate system adds more control modules to simulate the increased complexity of managing twin engine aircraft of all types. The system includes:

Best:  A Captain's Panel for Commuter Turboprops and Regional Jet Airliners

OK, so you're the flightsimmer who is advanced enough to tackle the commuter turboprop airliners  such as:

Turboprops require a certain finesse to fly properly and this flight deck system gives you the added control modules that you'll need for heightened realism.

It's also the system you want if you love flying the regional jets such as:

Click on the image below to see details and read call-outs.

The Commuter system gives you an instrument package for longer and more complicated flight plans. It includes:

The Ultimate:  Professional Flight Deck for Multi-engine Heavies

OK, so you say you're ready for the left hand seat in the heavies? Outstanding! This flight deck system gives you the ultimate in realistic instrumentation. It's the system you'll want whether you're flying the classic trijets, today's modern long-haul twins or the multi-engine giants, both jets and classic props. It adds realistic excitement to flights in:

Click on the image below to see details and read call-outs.

The Airliner Pro system gives you an instrument package tailored for the heavies and long or short haul flights. It's as real as a flight deck system gets with:

Installation Is As Simple As It Gets

Installation and system assembly is a snap, literally. It's as simple as it gets. Right out of the box, you simply place the main console rack next to your computer desk. Attach the overhead unit with just two bolts. Plug in the USB cable to any available USB 2.0 port. Install the drivers, configure the software, and go.

Read The Reviews For More Details

Check out the details from our review of GoFlight gear here:

Flip Real Switches

GoFlight GF-TQ6 Throttle Quadrant

Special Savings Only at The Pilot Shop!
 Save $25 and $50 on Selected Flight Deck Systems From GoFlight

This edition of Get Real! brings you a special offer on flight deck systems. The Pilot Shop and GoFlight have teamed up to bring you new low prices on pre-configured systems plus an additional instant savings of $25 off the General Aviation system and a whopping $50 instant savings on the Corporate, Commuter and Airliner Pro systems.

Your Instant Savings Codes: 

Save $25 instantly on GoFlight Private Pilot and General Aviation flight deck system
with coupon code:  gfgrga

Save $50 instantly on GoFlight Commuter, Corporate and Airliner Pro flight deck systems
with coupon code:  grgfcca

This is a Pilot Shop exclusive savings just for the friends of FlightSim.Com. To cash in, just enter the coupon code in the coupon code field when you checkout your shopping cart at the Pilot Shop. This offer may not be redeemed at any other GoFlight products reseller. Limit one coupon use per customer.

Get Your GoFlight Gear Now at the Pilot Shop

GoFlight Integrated System - Airliner (Jet Captain Pro) GoFlight Integrated System - Airliner (Jet Captain Pro)  $2,995.00  Buy Now 
GoFlight Integrated System - Commuter (Jet Captain) GoFlight Integrated System - Commuter (Jet Captain)  $2,676.75  Buy Now 
GoFlight Integrated System - Corporate Pilot Configuration GoFlight Integrated System - Corporate Pilot Configuration  $2,000.00  Buy Now 
GoFlight Integrated System - General Aviation Configuration GoFlight Integrated System - General Aviation Configuration  $1,400.00  Buy Now 
GoFlight Integrated System - Private Pilot Configuration GoFlight Integrated System - Private Pilot Configuration  $1,039.10  Buy Now

Cap Mason
Flight Simulation Editor
capmason@flightsim.com


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