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Hi. What kind of switches should I use on my 777 overhead panel? I can use momentary switches or self-locking switches. The latter show you what position the switch is in, but is it wise to use these? Thanks for your help.

Hi

Here the question is simple.... How real should the result be ?

I build just a 737 so i never seat in a real B777 or a Full Motion Sim..... My Information for 777 is just from the Virtual PMDG Cockpit.
Here it look like most buttons are "latching". They are Straight with the panel in pushed ON Status and they are move out maby 3-5 mm when they not latched and in OFF Position.
Also the "ON" Label looks like "Mechanical". When psuhing the button to the latched ON Position there is a little "cover" in the the switch turned mechanical and the ON Label is now vissible. When remove the switch to OFF this Cover turned back and the Label is covered and no longer vissible.

I Think build those switches is difficult.... and i not know if you can buy it somewhere (with this mechanical cover inside)

Solutions for HC:

1. Build it real with the explaned technic ( Maby verry difficult and expensive)

2. Build it with a "korry" System.... So your switches have no "mechanical" ON Light via cover..... Then its simple a LED that read a status. For better understanding.... This is he same like a 2way 2 Chamber "Korry Switch" . One LED will show the ON Light in One chamber..... The Other show the Status like FAULT or OFF in another chamber.
(Please Google for "Korry switch" for better understanding )

About the switch question:
I Think the latching switches are just used in real B777 to make this mechanical label possible.
If you already plan with a LED based Label then no latching is needed. That have also the benefit that you switches can not be unsynchron or have "missing event" Problem.
Finaly you save a lot of time cause you not need "release" Commands if you can now use toggle Events ( Like always for moentary buttons)
Only Problem: The Feeling ! A Momentary button not feel like a latching one.... You also can not see (without LED) in what position the button is.


Summary :
For a perfect Real Cockpit ( HighEnd) you should create those mechanical latching switches. For a "Fun Cockpit" the momentary technic should be more profitable.

Thank you very much Pizman for the long answer. I really appreciate it! Those Korry switches are really nice, but very expensive also. I think I go for the momentary switches. I will use leds anyway. It will be a total new experience for me when the overhead is finished. I still remember when I bought my MCP & EFIS from CPflight. Oh man, suddenly I could turn knobs and push buttons instead of flying with a mouse.

Yeah..... The moment when you throw your mouse out of the window and you fly with a real Cockpit is the moment we all looking forward !

About Korry Switches.

Those Korry switches are really nice, but very expensive also.

Yes and No.

In Webshops you often can buy only "REAL" Korrys . the are FAA certificated and basicly the same switches like in a Real Boeing or Airbus. Those are realy expensive.
Then you got some Cockpitbuilder shops (mostly from spain) that give you a Hobby Alternate Version but they are already expensive.

I think best way here is to build them DIY .
You must know how good is your skill in that and what machines you got.
With a CNC Machine you pretty sure can build 1:1 Korry Switches that looks and work 100% like Originals.
Without Machines you can try this.... https://www.simucockpit.fr/a320/13-fabriquer-ses-korry/13-making-the-korry-switches/

Lots of possible ways. Whatever the CNC Technic is maby the best !