Introduction
Here I am with a new project I’ll work on for the next months… Build a F/A-18 Cockpit for DCS starting with the UFC. I always dreamed to become a fighter pilot, but I wasn’t able to enroll because of myopia, even if I had surgery to correct it. So I am enjoying flying with Sims, I’ve started with FSX and then with DCS. The Idea to build a full cockpit always intrigued me, but never had the time and (mostly) the money to build it. But now I’m committed to building it so here I am writing this build log. Side note: With my current job I stay a lot of weeks away from home. So I will order and arrange all the things to be able to work on it every time I come back.
Where to start
Looking online I’ve found a lot of resources. Among these, I cannot avoid mentioning the Open Hornet project, an open-source project with a great community and a lot of resources. They even have a discord server where it’s possible to ask for any information or help. The project isn’t finished yet, but it will surely help to accomplish my goal.
First component – UFC
The first piece I decided to build is the Up Front Controller. The Up-Front Controller (UFC) is a keypad and miniature display interface used for entering information into various avionics systems; this ranges from coordinates for a GPS-guided bomb to a TACAN station frequency [source].
I’ve decided to start from this because I think it’s one of the essential components to have. And because is one of the most complex components to build so It will help me on how to approach this project.
Main PCB
The UFC needs a custom PCB as an interface for the hardware components and the PC. Open Hornet has 2 types of PCB versions (UFC and UFC3). The UFC3 version is not completed yet and uses SMD led instead of displays. I will use the other version (UFC) because I like using display modules instead of SMD LEDs. The display used here is the LTP-305G. Both versions use GX06400 SMD switches that are not easily available, so I’ve modified it by adding some other switches. The switches that I’ve chosen are the PTS815 SJG 250 SMTR LFS. Those are small switches with a 400g of force required, the same force required with the GX06400.
This version of the PCB uses the MAX6953 that has been discontinued in 2019 so it needs to be changed with another IC. The MAX6952 has the same functionality as the MAX6953 only that use a serial interface instead of an I2C.
Arduino Mega Shield PCB
I had to modify the Arduino Mega shield because I used 2 more pins that were wired with Rx3 and Tx3 that I’m going to use as DIN (output to IC0) and DOUT (input from IC5).
Next steps
I know that the road to finishing the F/A-18 Cockpit for DCS will not be easy. In the next few days, I will order all the required parts and the PCBs. Then I will start to write the Arduino code.