Simpit structure

Working time approx. 7 days.

The simpit is a wooden construction as closely as possible to the dimensions of the real F/A-18E cockpit.

Here's how I did it.

Panels, switches and lights

Find some info here on how I made the various cockpit panels and where to source switches, pushbuttons and lights.

Main Instrument Panel

Working time approx. 200 hrs.

Initially, I was planning to take the easy path and use one single monitor in F-35 style to show all the cockpit displays and instruments, in order to have the sim ready to fly sooner.
But I knew that this would make me regret it every time I looked at it, since a flat cockpit is a gross contradiction to the beautiful geometry of the real F/A-18E cockpit (which has 5 offset screens and a standby instrument panel, all at different angles).

So I decided to stick to the real thing and use separate monitors too. This made building the "MIP" more challenging than expected.

F/A-18 Control Stick

Working time approx. 20 days.

Here are some pictures of how I made my flight control stick.

F/A-18 Throttle

Working time approx. 10 days.

And this is how I made the throttles.

MPCD - Multi Purpose Color Display

Working time approx. 20 hrs.

The "MPCD" - Multi Purpose Color Display - is the central display in the F-18 cockpit and is mainly used for navigation.

Right Console

Working time approx. 20 days.

This panels are routed and engraved out of plexiglass like the ones on the MIP.

UFCD - Up Front Control Display

Working time approx. 25 hrs.

In the F-18E, the UFCD is the primary interface for viarious navigation and communication settings like the selection of radio frequencies, navaids and autopilot modes.