throttles

Much deliberation and experimentation went into building the final version of the NG Throttles. This is part of the problem when not replicating an existing aircraft exactly, you have too many options available. However I was determined to come up with a solution that would suit all my needs. The answer came when I visited Gwyn from Aerosim Solutions in Perth who kindly designed and manufactured a full jet style quadrant that is awesome! I then went and built some Airbus style handles to go with it which resulted in an Airbus/RJ style throttle quadrant. Twin Prop and Condition levers were also incorporated to allow a full range of single and twin prop and jet aircraft to be flown. Problem solved and specifications met! What more could you ask for??

 

Here's the basic structure. We made the drum and short throttle arms at Aerosim Solutions and here you can see I have just completed one of the Airbus style handles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The handles are made from 4 pieces of plastic routed and shaped then screwed together with metal threads. These handles will incorporate reversing levers also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both handles completed and mounted. You can see the mounting screws at the front which will hold the reversing levers. Cotton reel style handles will mount on top of the pointed stalks.

 

 

 

The centre shaft has a compression spring between the handles to provide some rigidity and drag.

 

 

 

 

Further modifications have been made to incorporate twin Prop & Condition levers. I made two smaller drums, similar to the centre drum that Gwyn made, to attach either side. These additional levers are designed to run flush with the face-plate so they remain unobtrusive yet very functional. Prop levers to the left and condition/mixture levers to the right.

 

 

Spare knobs from a couple of hacked CH Yokes were moulded to fit onto the levers. Each lever has a pulley wheel attached onto which will run trace wire to turn the potentiometers. This thing is bigger than Ben Hur but worth it as it is one of the most important components of any sim..

 

 

MDF mountings for stability.

 

 

 

 

 

Face plates routed and moulded. You gotta love plastic! Just 5min in an oven at 180 degrees C and it moulds to any shape!!

 

 

 

Main handles are next.

 

 

 

 

Printed face plate added. The layout was done in MS Publisher and printed onto an A4 size sticky label.

 

 

 

 

Stick on labelling isn't ideal but it's certainly cheap and good for prototyping. Give it a coat of lacquer and she'll last for years!

 

 

 

 

 

This NG-Throttle face-plate. It's like nothing you'll find in any aircraft out there but should satisfy all my aircraft flying needs while maintaining a degree of integrity to the PC12.

 

 

 

Pot mountings and mechanism. Basically wooden rods mounted on the shafts and fishing trace line attached to the lever pulleys. Springs are used as tensioning as you will see below.

 

 

 

Here you can see the springs which apply sufficient tensioning to stop the trace wire coming off the reels and pulleys.

 

 

 

Just another view of the tension springs that run along the pulleys. The resulting gearing results in the pots moving almost the full rotation as the throttle levers move just between the stops.

 

 

 

Throttle pedestal top plate made.

 

 

 

 

 

Once the throttle face plates are mounted the mechanism will be quite discreet!

 

 

 

 

A set of knobs thanks to Gwyn at Aerosimsolutions complete with pushbuttons. Knobs glued into place using a hot glue gun and wiring routed down through the handle stalks and out the bottom. Also seen here are the reversing levers which attach to a spring loaded cam.

 

 

A rear view of the mounted knobs and the reversing cams underneath.

 

 

 

 

Pushbutton in view and reversing cam along with connecting cable to the lever and spring.

 

 

 

 

A closer look at the reversing cam. As you can see it butts up against the support rod to stop further travel until the reversers are lifted.

 

 

 

 

When the reversing handle is lifted, the cam moves out the way allowing the main lever to rotate into the reversing range. Of course the spring loading causes the cam to return to its initial position once the handle is moved forward again out of the reversing range.

 

 

The process in action. It feels very comfortable and precise.

 

 

 

 

A close up view of the front of the mechanism. Reversing cam tension spring and cable can be seen.

 

 

 

 

New plastic rollers installed and all linkages connected.

 

 

 

 

Wiring also completed. I know it's not the tidiest of wiring but I'm very impatient at this point and I know it is secure and very functional. This will all be hidden beneath the centre pedestal so no-one will be the wiser.

 

 

These plastic rollers were another kids toy salvage. Some sort of Chinese Checkers game with 20mm round platic blocks......Ideal! (I really don't think my youngest, now 18, will miss them).

 

 

 

Here you can see more clearly the springs used for tensioning the connecting cabling. Also the wiring for the handle switches in the centre.

 

 

 

The complete unit ready for the top plates.

 

 

 

 

All complete and ready to install.

 

 

 

 

A rear view. The stick on labelling isn't the best but it will do for now. As you can imagine I'm getting really impatient to get this operational.

 

 

 

All workings are smooth and precise.

 

 

 

 

I can tell you that once connected to the Leo Bodner joystick card all works beautifully. FSUIPC programming allows reverse thrusters and everything from the Kingair to the 737 works just as you'd expect.

 

 

Go to King Air Throttle Quadrant