MobiFlight Community Support

I am about to start trying to build a working MCP panel for my P3D.....
I have assumed a number of things prior to this post so please can someone confirm something for me.....

Switches or buttons used on the MCP- Are they momentary switches or locking switches? I am assuming momentary in that once you press and remove your finger, the mobiflight software will remember you have pressed it but the simulator will not log you releasing the switch UNLESS you have a "when released" trigger set???

I am sure I will add to this post with more questions as time goes on and the build progresses....

Hi.
Welcome to Mobiflight.

At first.... All Systems Work different.... A Airbus MCP is different to a Boeing MCP. AddOns work different to standard Aircrafts.
AND
Not all MCP switches work in same way.... For Example the FlightDirector Switch in a B737 is a locking switch.... But the ALT Hold Switch and many others are momentary.

To the technics....

Normaly most of functions that use momentary switches work with a boolean "toggle" System. That means Mobiflight not have to "remember" if it put the function ON or OFF.... It simply "change" the currently status.... if the Functrion is ON it will be set it to OFF.... Otherwise if the Function is currently OFF it will set it to ON.

So a "ON RELEASE" is normaly not need with a momentary button... It makes no sence cause you only push the button for a second... so the Release would be executed shortly after use.

Additional Note....
Some Buttons are not be able to deactivate. For example you use VNAV in a B737.... You can not disable VNAV if you push again the Button.... You have to choose another function like VS or ALT HLD to disable VNAV.

But the System give us a simple tool for that....
In most cases we NOT controll a real function with the buttons... Normaly we just simmulate a Push of the "virtual" button in the Simulator.
That means.... Always when you push a button in your cockpit it will execute a button Push ( On same Button) in the Virtual Cockpit..... Then it result sameway like you would push the Virtual Button yoreself with youre Mouse ! .... With that system you not need to controll a function and check if it´s on or off youreself ! This is called "Event ID"

For more Questions... Still ask. We help you if we can.... Your welcome !

Pizman82, thank you for your reply......
I am currently looking through ebay for parts that I will need to buy.....

If anyone has previously built one of these MCP Panels..... do you have a list of the parts I would need to purchase.
I have priced the FULL kit buying it from hispapanels. I am looking at £300 for the full kit with circuit board etc..... I am hoping that the ebay route will save me some cash....

Basic Hint....
FIRST know what you want.... Understand how it work.... Read and Learn the Stuff. THEN Buy the Parts.
All Cockpitbuilders got a big box full of Parts we buy and not use finaly cause they are wrong size, wrong function, not compatible and so on. I Call mine the "Box of shame" .

So in your situation.....

First note... If you buy the Panel from Hispapanals then they are lasercutted allready. Means the Hole for the Displays is a fixed size... The Drilled holes for the Switches have a fix diameter, too.
So you have to use Hardware that is compatible to this sizes.

You not need to buy the expensive Kits of this page..... Only if you think about the optional PCB from Hispapanels THEN i recommend to use the KIT. This PCB is prebuild and mostly of other switches not can be placed.... It´s simply designed for the KIT you can buy there.

*****

What i would do in your case....
Try out a bit.... NOT buy 20 Switches ( or as much you need) directly of one kind.... At beginning i would recommend to buy maby 5,10 or 20 different switches ( even 1 part).
Same with LED... Buy 30 different LED only 1 piece of every sort. So you can check it.... Is Feeling ok.... How is brightness. Do they work correctly with Arduino/Mobiflight ?

If you already got your panel you can check if the components are compatible for mounting. (Size, deep, confilict with other parts )
After that decide what you like and what working good and then order THIS as much you need for the Panel.

****
Last tip....
Note that some functions are a bit advanced. For example the AT Arm switch in REAL B737 normaly is Electro Magentic.... Or the BankAngle Selector is a Concentric Dual /Encoder/Switch Combination..... Please think before order/buy parts WHAT of this stuff you realy want/need..... These are maby verry expensive or difficult to build !