So to answer some questions...
Why?
Well why not, I've being playing around with PC flight sims for the last 15 years, consistently increasing the realism each time, to the point that I'd was using software which I was told by a QF second officer was so realistic, that he himself used the same software for training purposes. I figured the next step was to take the sim and bring it to as close to real life as I could.
Why a 747?
I've always loved the 747, my first ever flight 23 years ago was on a 747, and I've never forgotten it.
How easy is it to find parts for a 747?
If I was a multi millionaire, it would be easy enough, but since I'm not and I have things like mortgage and a desire to eat from time to time most of the pre-fab parts are well and truly out of my reach (To buy a pre-fab overhead panel without lights or switches installed costs thousands of dollars). So I'm building what I can, and there is a nearby plastics shop with a laser cutter which is making some of the parts in accordance with my designs
Why not something simpler, like a 737?
It's true, had I chosen something more simple like a 737, I could have purchased the parts cheaply, and built the whole sim using nothing more complex than a screw driver. The this is that it's the 747 which I really like, and I can't see myself being as excited over a project for another plane type.
What skills did I have to undertake this project?
When I started this project, I had software development skills, some woodwork / metal work skills and some electronics knowledge. But since then I've really honed my woodwork / plastic work skills, I've also learnt programming at a much higher level (which as actually helped me in my day job
), I've learnt circuit designs and working with IC's, and hardware level programming (so 1's and 0's type programming).
What about other traffic and ATC?
Well as anyone who has played with Microsoft Flight Sim would know, the AI traffic and ATC leave a lot to be desired. So I've been writing my own ATC and AI traffic. What I'm aiming for is if you are sitting in SYD RWY34L, you may have to wait for an AirNZ and a VA flight to take off before you. Since I'm using airline timetables, if you where sitting at SYD, you'd be seeing those same flights take off for real.
Do you have a pilots license?
Nope, thus the reason for all my questions to pilots / ATC in the Ask The Pilot thread. Surprisingly, I am one of the very few members of my family on my Dad's side who is not a pilot / has nothing to do with aviation. Prob is whilst I do have family members who are QF pilots and army pilots, I next to never see them.
Man, you really need a girlfriend...
Actually, I've been married for many years. Luckily my wife just considers it one of my many quirks, and whilst has no desire to be a pretend pilot herself, she doesn't mind me disappearing outside every so often to build more towards the sim.
