Custom designed FLIGHT SIM - Simionic G1000, Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo running MSFS 2020 and XPlane

I designed and built this simulator on wheels using aluminum extrusion, 6mm PVC plastic walls, dual adjustable racing seats, the Simionic G1000 avionics suite, and the Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo flight controls. I'm currently running XPlane and MSFS 2020.

If you're interested in building something similar, I will freely share my design and encourage you to go for it. It's so worth it.

If you can't download the updated MAY-CAD software, I have a Jan, 2023 copy here:

And here's my design:

Here are a couple of sources for the aluminum and panels. Just tell them to repeat my order and have everything cut to size. Lead time is about 10 days for the aluminum and a few days for the plastic:
You will also need to order screws, nuts, and right-angle brackets from Amazon. Just print out the BOM from the design and see what you need. Then start building!

Here was my budget:

Simionic: $989 (1 bezel/1 com panel)
(I already own a bezel and iPad from several years ago so add another $1000 if you need these)
Apple iPad 10.2inch 10th Gen (Amazon): $329
Honeycomb throttle (Honeycomb): $258
Computer (XForcePC): $3080
Two 32” monitors (ViewSonic VX3276-2K-MHD) (Amazon): $543
Two TV mounts for 32” monitors (Amazon): $29
One 75” TV (BestBuy): $695
MantelMount TV mount (down and out) (Amazon): $245
Rudder pedals (Thrustmaster TFRP) (Amazon): $130 (plus Honeycomb Charlie $??)
FlightSounds 2-place intercom (FlightSounds): $244
Two leather chairs/rails (Ebay): $341
Ten 8080 corner brackets (Amazon): $117
Cockpit hardware (brackets, screws, t-nuts, rounded end caps): $461
PVC 6mm white panels (Meyer Plastics): $225
Lumber, hardware, carpet, primer and paint for panel/floor: $300

Subtotal: $9786

I also upgraded my network infrastructure a bit to improve the Wifi reception in my basement to sync the two iPads together, but didn’t include that in this build since not everyone will have that issue.

I used ½” MDF board to cutout the panel which is primed and painted. The floor is ¾” MDF board, which is primed and then covered using adhesive backed carpet squares.

[weok-doing-things]

I think this is the gold standard for home cockpit - on a pricy side but still very affordable if one need a full cockpit. Great setup, thanks for sharing, very inspiring

[mikekaduce]

probably the coolest, yet most reasonable and functional home cockpit setup I've ever seen. very nice job! I would never leave.

[jacquesdemolay]

fantastic -- double use of space + optimised screen layout (hidden bevels)-- very smart project.

[ChrisM]

Fantastic, and not a huge footprint. I like it.

[bernie_hirsch]

Since posting this video last year, Microsoft has updated its MSFS software to include multi-monitor support. That means instead of stretching the view out the front window across all three monitors, I can now designate a 90-degree view out of each side window (+90 for the right window, -90 for the left window). When looking out of the side windows I now see a bit of the interior of the airplane around the edges of the screen, and look out over the wing to see the ground (in a low-wing airplane). It's fantastically realistic!

[bobrobitaille]

Bernie, OOPS! I just clicked on SHOW MORE and will follow your instructions. Thanks.

[FlightSimVRDad]

Nice to be able to share the experience with others! I have a next level racing setup with TrackIR as well as a VR setup too. Thanks for sharing

[irishus]

What a nice setup! Thanks for sharing.

[MrLangobard]

While the whole world uses 3080 for playing Fortnite, this person puts it to actual use to gain experience and actually having fun. Nice setup! Cannot wait to see the upgrades!

[ehss]

Very nice. I like that it's a dual purpose rig which can be pushed out of the way.

[salmongalaxy]

thats sickkk

im going to try and build one like that over the years, great stuff

[mr.dnpalmer]

Clean install. I too went with a mobile simpit that you could see on my page. Like the door window screens as well.

[Prifly]

OMG ! OMG ! That's what I said when I saw your setup...amazing man...amazing.

[The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

Well that's absolutely ridiculous!!! I want one!

[williamli]

Thank you so much for providing your design

[MijoMontego]

Coming from racing sims now getting into flight sims, I appreciate all the attention to detail you have in this setup, which I can only assume has been upgraded more since the posting of this video. Great work!

[Dogethegamer]

Bernie, absolutely beautiful! You just made my day, this is exactly what I would like to build. I purchased the full simionic as well as the standby gauges. I’ve been scouring YouTube for the past year looking for ideas and thanks to you I now know what I’m going to build. Any specs you can share? Is the aluminum easy to work with? What about the PVC panels, where do I get them? Where would I purchase the aluminum? I’m loving your setup!!

[Beaululu]

Wow ! Amazing ! Thank you for sharing your files ! Unfortunately, the access on microvote to get your files is no longer available :-(

[JohnVanderbeck]

Where did you get your extrusions? Did you custom order them cut, or did you just order a bunch in bulk and cut yourself? What did you use to design? I've never found any good programs for designing with extrusion.

[glasairiisrg]

Awesome setup you have there Bernie, nice and clean and very functional. I am looking to do something similar but for now I have a question on your choice of the Simionic G1000 suite. How do you feel about it now that you've been using it for a while? I too have my own plane, an Experimental Glasair IIS with all Garmin panel. I plan on using the Sim to stay sharp on instruments as well so I am especially interested in knowing if the Simionic is functionally correct to the G1000. I am currently using X-Plane 11 on my Mac but plan to build a PC later so I can try MSFS 2020. Thank you!