I have been working hard on building the Platform and the MIP stand for the last couple of weeks. Progress has been very slow considering I only get to work on weekends only and that too not on all weekends. Considering the fact that I am not good at construction work, I struggled a lot with this part of the project. At times, I was tempted to go out and purchase a dual seat trainers. But they are insanely expensive however I now realize how hard to build anything and probably that's why they are so expensive.Here are a few pictures of the base platform..
Platform with the top board installed is a 8'x8' square constructed out of the standard 2"x10"x 8' wood. I wanted top base board to overhangs 1.5" all around over the base structure. Hence the outside dimensions of the base itself as you see in the top picture is 93"x93". Further, I have horizontally divided it into 4 sections with alternating widths of 30" and 18" respectively. So, looking at the picture above, the first section (on which the MIP rests) is 30" wide, the next one is 18" (yokes bay), next is 30" and the last is 18" again. These dimensions are carefully chosen since I simply use two 4'x8' baseboards ripped length wise into two pieces of 30" and 18" wide and 8' long which is also easy to transport in a van. Notice the overhang all around the platform in this picture. That allows easy folding of the carpet around it.I have also built the MIP stand out of 1/2" thick MDF/plywood. Here are a few pictures..
Notice, a different approach to installing the monitors. I have seen many builders building the base to rest the monitors. Instead, I have cut holes in the MIP base to drop the monitors down. This way, MIP panel simply rests on the mip base and montor drops down to correct height. I found this technique simple and effective for LCD monitors. I have simply installed few wooden brackets to hold the monitors. Also, I have cut slots into the CDU bay stand walls to support the monitors on either side in addition to the installed brackets.Here is the first ever test pictures showing the monitors with PM software running..Now I understand how gratifying it is to see these pics and what every other builder must have gone through..
Those are the Engravity's excellent MIP panels installed on a temporary backplate that I made for test fitting. I got them custom made in Boeing 777 brown color. I have also painted the entire MIP stand with a matching brown paint. My local HomeDepot did an excellent job of matching the paint with sample from the Engravity panel.
If you are wondering, that is a 737 MIP panel, you are correct. Given the difficulty in finding hardware for 777, I have changed my plans to build my aircraft with a mix of 737 and 777 parts. Even though the MIP is a 737, the critical MCP, EFIS panels are going to be 777 ones. When finished, I will be in a position to fly either a 777 or a 737 at will. I think this is a lot better situation than simply getting stuck with a single model pit. Also, a 737 MIP works better for me personally since it occupies lesser space than a 777 MIP.
