Building your own Instrument Trainer

We understand that everyone has their own preferences on what they want their simulator to look like. With SimAVIO panels, we provide new opportunities to configure your cockpit. In this article, we recommend the most practical cockpit configuration that leverages the advantages of SimAVIO, while having good control on your costs. We list the recommended computer hardware, control hardware, monitor size/resolution, desk dimensions, and details on configuring multiple monitors in Windows and X-Plane. This guide is free and can be downloaded from our website.   Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD AND VIEW THIS GUIDE TO BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMULATOR

View our Customer Gallery where we showcase the cockpits using SimAVIO.

Step by Step start-up guide for new users

• STEP 1: Make sure your computer is up to the task of running X-Plane and SimAVIO together on the same machine.  If not, you may want to consider using two computers:  one for X-Plane, one for SimAVIO.  Check here for system requirements.

• STEP 2: Buy a second high resolution widescreen monitor if you don't all ready have one.    This is almost MANDITORY.  Without a second monitor, you will be hiding the SimAVIO panel every time you make X-Plane the active window.  With the X-Plane IOS or X-Plane visual on a second monitor, this will not happen.

• STEP 3: Buy a joystick (or yoke).   If you don't have one, you will need to either fly with the GFC 700 autopilot, or toggle over to the X-Plane cockpit.  Both of these options are not realistic (of course).  Flying with your mouse is not recommended unless your X-Plane visual is on a dedicated monitor separate from SimAVIO.    The PCATD panels are not designed to show the visual on a separate monitor.  They are designed to show the X-Plane visual UNDER the SimAVIO window.  As soon as you click on the visual window, it will move to the front and cover the SimAVIO window.  Again, we recommend you purchase a joystick or yoke.

• STEP 4: Get X-Plane.  If you are a home user of X-Plane, then you can download it from X-Plane, or from X-Plane.org.  If you are a commercial user, then visit Building a Simulator.

• STEP 5: Get SimAVIO.  This is the rendering software from Fly This Sim.   It comes with two analog panels.   Also, purchase the FTS1000, Avidyne, or analog panel pack of your choice.  Watch the video tutorials and read the installation and operations manual.  If you are a commercial user, contact FTS for pricing and features.

• Step 6: Get the correct X-Plane aircraft models if FTS does not supply the ones that you need.   There are many free or inexpensive aircraft for download at X-Plane.org.  If the correct aircraft are not available, then download them from one of our partners.