Hello from Boston area

[Mike Carman]

Thank you all for allowing me in as a member.  I'm a retired mechanical engineer.  Spent '66 to '70 in the USAF (F-101s, A1 Skyraiders, A26 Nimrods, weapons mechanic on all) and got out as a Staff Sargent.  Made a crude Sim last year to learn what I didn't know about sims (SO, SO Much!).  I'm planning on building a new one with working switches (I can't memorize all the HOTAS switches) and lighter (so I can move it to Florida when we go). 😁  I don't have much experience with Flight Sims but I sure am interested in the hobby.
Everyone have a great Holiday Season!!
Cheers.
Mike Carman

[jjbravo]

Welcome Mike! 

[Rufus]

Welcome Mike... !  Hopefully soon to be retired Aeronautical Engineer here... ...you're in the right place!

[Foghorn]

Welcome, Mike!

I'm also in Florida (Tampa), and also a USAF vet... 27 years flying F16's.  Welcome welcome all the way around.

[Mike Carman]

Thanks, Foghorn.  And, I'd like to thank you, one day late, for your service.
I'll be moving to the St Augustine area in a year or two.  Gonna try out snow birding first. 😁

[Stuntman]

Hey Mike,

I'm new here myself. I think it's a great way to spend our time.

[mihi4]

Welcome to the nuthouse

[Sandman]

Hello Mike-

Welcome to Viperpits. Many of us grew up on PC flight simulator programs (like Microsoft Flight Sim) but quickly wanted more than a joystick and keyboard. Today, there are a variety of excellent sim programs that can be integrated with DIY built cockpits, making the experience much more realistic.

Viperpits has certainly evolved from the early days of building everything from cut wood, to the latest builds in filament or resin 3D printers, laser engravers for panels, and CNC milling. Take your time to read through some of the cockpit "build" topics to get ideas, and don't hesitate to ask questions as they arise.

Again, welcome to Viperpits. (And- YES, we are all a little crazy here)

[Foghorn]

Thanks, Foghorn.  And, I'd like to thank you, one day late, for your service.
I'll be moving to the St Augustine area in a year or two.  Gonna try out snow birding first. 😁

St. Augustine's beautiful.  My wife and I rent a beach house for a few days over there every year for our anniversary.

[Ghostrider313]

Welcome to the group.  Retired USAF Weapons troop myself, 28 active and 16 civil service.  Worked more airframes than most people know.  Lots of information here.  I started small and in the process of expanding my Short Pit.  It just kind of grows on you, always wanting to make it just a little bit better.  Have fun.

[salaxi54]

Welcome aboard!

[Wolverine]

Welcome!

[Mike Carman]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!  This place is OVERWHELMING!   

I think I've gotta work on a call sign. 

I've got some 8" LED screens coming soon.  Gonna warm up my Bridgeport and see if I can make them fit into TM MFD frames.

BTW, did you guys know that SolidWorks now offers there basic software for $51/year?  I've been using SW 2010 since I bought it new for $3K and just downloaded the 2024 iteration. I can tell you, it's very, very nice.  $51/ year is a no-brainer if you like doing your own designs.

Cheers! 

[mihi4]

Gonna warm up my Bridgeport....

Oooooooooh yeah, this sounds like a nice workshop interior

[mihi4]

... see if I can make them fit into TM MFD frames.

I designed some "compact MFDs" some time ago, although through 3d printed parts.
Maybe this can help you a bit with some ideas.

https://f16simulator.net/wp/en/2019/09/23/compact-mfds/

The CAD files (although FreeCAD, not SW) for it and other simparts are available for free at my github:
https://github.com/mihi4