[rpmcb]

The homebuilder cockpit community is an exciting and welcoming place for both newcomers and experienced builders.

The Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 are by far the most popular projects, but homebuilders have built hundreds of different flight decks of varying levels of complexity and realism.

One of my favorite groups is SimFest (http://www.simfest.co.uk/). They fly a 747 (homebuilt sim) around the world, stream it live, and raise money for charity.

For anyone interested in learning more, a few resources:

ProSim Aviation Research (https://prosim-ar.com/) - cockpit avionics software. Powers flight models and avionics screens for most 737 and A320 projects. Established, respected, and popular in the community.

FlightDeck Solutions (http://flightdecksolutions.com/) - Flight deck hardware. Both individual components and turn key solutions for 737/777/787/A320

Vier Im Pott (https://www.vier-im-pott.com/index.php/en/) - Flight deck hardware, A320 focused.

There are numerous other hardware manufacturers and software developers. A few good communities to check out if you're interested in learning more:

http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/ https://www.avsim.com/forums/forum/110-home-cockpit-builders...

[avs733]

I feel like someone should facilitate an introduction between some of these guys and the desert bus community.

[xfitm3]

I have to ask - why go this route instead of pursuing a PPL? In many areas it would be cheaper to fly for real than building your own simpit.

[ChicagoBoy11]

Because this way you get to fly a 737/747/777/whatever you feel like.

For a lot of simmers, the driver behind their passion is the desire to fly one of those heavy jets. I have a PPL, but unless I committed about a decade for it as a career, there's simply no way I could ever find myself behind the cockpit of an airliner. Simming is the only way. You do see people make cockpits for smaller aircraft, but it is definitely the exception, and usually those people do have licenses and use it for flight training.

Also, you can find airline-quality simulators out there who will gladly rent you some time, but last time I checked the full-motion 777 simulator I had available to me cost $750/hr.

[gcbw2]

those folks normally have a PPL and do that to "fly" big planes.

Also, outside of the US, a PPL is pretty damn expensive!

[gcbw2]

and the only open source flight sim, in desperate need of more contributors :)

http://home.flightgear.org/