After my trip to FS Expo, I was inspired to create my own helo flight stick modded from a thrustmaster stick. yesterday I received the $20 stick, unscrewed the housing, and removed the springs (helos have no spring action). I'm going to get some PVC pipe and fittings (like 1"), use an ethernet cable to splice the wires so the buttons work, and then mount it on a piece of wood or something under my chair so I have a better flight stick for helo action. I might do a collective eventually but this is a start. I had all the pieces over my living room last night. Will be a fun project. I'll post more pics as I construct this.
Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
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Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
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PanzerMeyer
- Posts: 4799
- Joined: 10 Feb 2004, 08:54
- Location: Miami, Florida
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
You definitely are an engineer! I wouldn't even know how to do something like that without some intensive training first.
I have learned from experience that a modicum of snuff can be most efficacious - Baron Munchausen
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Haha. It may end in epic failure but we'll see. Found this online to help me with dimensions (10 cm boxes). Its a huey but a start:
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Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Work in progress. I seem to have the pipe length set. I have a lot of wiring to do but it's getting there..
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Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Thats cool.... Good idea. Im curious to hear how that works for you. This X52 with the Apache is killing me....
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Getting there. All wires spliced. May plug it in today.
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Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Well yesterday I plugged it in and it works! All inputs were showing up. I also realize the flight stick is designed for right hand which means my throttle really needs to be on the left side, not the right side of my setup. I'm not moving it so I will fly with my left hand. I'll post a pic.
So, what does that mean? With no spring action, the cyclic moves nice and easy and I can do very small inputs with such a long arm on it. Its VERY different from what I'm used to and the Mi24 autotrim button is probably making things more challenging, not less. It will take some practice to get used to but I'm liking it and its truly more realistic than using a yoke for helos. I can definintely feel a difference with just minor inputs when flying. i'll need to practice when i get a chance. Its very different from what I'm used to. But, it works and I'm very happy to have a $70 helo stick compared to the $1400 one I saw at the expo haha.
Now i just need to practice practice and practice to get used to it.
So, what does that mean? With no spring action, the cyclic moves nice and easy and I can do very small inputs with such a long arm on it. Its VERY different from what I'm used to and the Mi24 autotrim button is probably making things more challenging, not less. It will take some practice to get used to but I'm liking it and its truly more realistic than using a yoke for helos. I can definintely feel a difference with just minor inputs when flying. i'll need to practice when i get a chance. Its very different from what I'm used to. But, it works and I'm very happy to have a $70 helo stick compared to the $1400 one I saw at the expo haha.
Now i just need to practice practice and practice to get used to it.
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
If i know your were going to do this I'd donate my old Thrustmaster to you
v6,
boNed
v6,
boNed
"Also, I would prefer a back seater over the extra gas any day. I would have 80 pounds of flesh to eat and a pair of glasses to start a fire." --F/A-18 Hornet pilot
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Haha. Thx for thinking of me.
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Final coat of paint. Once dry, ready for some testing and training.
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PanzerMeyer
- Posts: 4799
- Joined: 10 Feb 2004, 08:54
- Location: Miami, Florida
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
You have a lot more patience and persistence than I do Creeper. I would just buy it instead and call it a day. :-)
I have learned from experience that a modicum of snuff can be most efficacious - Baron Munchausen
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Thanks. a fun project. Here is the final version:
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Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Hey Creeper...
This looks fantastic. Very cool Idea and I'm glad its working for you. Any parts list or wiring diagram for this by chance?
This looks fantastic. Very cool Idea and I'm glad its working for you. Any parts list or wiring diagram for this by chance?
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
i can definitely develop one. For wiring, I just split open an ethernet cable and used the internal wires and did blue on blue and so forth. As for the other parts, I can develop a list pretty easily.
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Sounds good, thanks. Im interested to maybe give it a go if you think its a big improvement. I think having no springs would be beneficial.
Questions.... you mentioned Ethernet but it looks USB in the pic? The ethernet cable was only used to bridge the gap between the extensions... the end is the original USD, right?
Questions.... you mentioned Ethernet but it looks USB in the pic? The ethernet cable was only used to bridge the gap between the extensions... the end is the original USD, right?
Re: Homebuilt Helo flight Stick Mod
Yesm original usb for the stick. Eithernet wires spliced between the stick handle and base.