Building the intial platform.
This is a four fold task.
1. Rebuild the cabin from its dinged up state.
2. Install flight controls
3. Install new seats and cabin linings
4. Fabricate doors and bubble
Rebuild:
The rebuild part is actually almost complete. Some parts of the panelling (Underside) are still off to allow for access and they will be reinstalled at the end.
Flight Controls
This is underway at present.
The cyclic is at present a bit of a problem. Robinson have a unique overhand T cyclic which has some major advantages and one big disadvatage. The disadvantage is that it doesn't look like any other aircraft in the world so would detract from the look if I wanted to use it as some other aircraft. The advantages are simplicity for installation, allows two pilots to use controls without complex wiring issues, clears the floor area for entry into the simulator. I still haven't thrashed out just what the best option is - but I've built half a robinson type T cyclic anyway.
The pedals are fairly straight-forward. The real helicopter has the two right pedals fixed together and the two left pedals similarly set up. The axis of the right pedals is set in front of the axis of the left pedals. This allows two sets of pedals which both move regardless of which seat the pilot is in. The simulator setup will be the same. This will also simplify connecting the electronic bits for the pedal inputs.
The pilots collective/throttle will fit in the normal place between the seats and the copilots on the left side of the left seat. (Robinson's command seat is on the right as are many helicopters) I can see an option for a dismountable slide throttle for jets etc that could be placed over the collective to change to a different aircraft.
