Simulator Solutions has released a significant software update to their SimStack ecosystem. This Simulator Solutions software update includes new versions of SimStack Switch and SimStack Loader, as well as enhancements to the underlying SimStack codebase used to compile SimStack code.

These changes have been under development for more than 12 months and include improvements to both functionality and stability. The updated software can be downloaded from the Software section of the Simulator Solutions website with the production compile servers having already been updated.

This new SimStack software requires 64-bit Java, version 10 or above and supports both OpenJDK and Oracle Java. This allows customers to choose which licensing arrangement is best for their requirements. At the time of release, SimStack software has been tested with both OpenJDK and Oracle Java from versions 10 through 14.

The most significant changes are to the ProSim, Prepar3D and X-Plane interfaces. These now use a Data Dictionary which makes the SimStack interface to these applications more transparent. When these software vendors update their system variables, customers can update their Data Dictionary to reflect these changes.

The Prepar3D interface now utilises SimConnect to provide a direct connection to P3D and Simulator Solutions have developed an X-Plane plugin called SimData. These changes were necessary to support the Data Dictionary functionality and overcome limitations with the previous interfaces.

There is increased flexibility for inputs and outputs and more code commonality between the supported simulator software. The SimStack Switch and SimStack Loader manuals and associated integration guides have been updated to reflect these changes. Updated documentation is available from the documentation section of the website.

If you are running Prepar3D, X-Plane or ProSim and you proceed with these updates, you will need to make changes to your code and adjust your simulator configuration. More information is available in the relevant Integration Guides. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

While the basic SimStack software remains free to customers, Simulator Solutions have launched new enterprise features than can be unlocked with a license key. These include a Git code versioning plugin, additional simulator interfaces, power and environmental monitoring, email notification and an interactive web interface. Please contact Simulator Solutions for more information about these enhancements and to obtain a quote.

With the final Qantas 747 departing Australia and British Airways announcing the retirement of their entire fleet, the Queen of the skies reign is sadly in its twilight.

But there is some good news on the horizon for those enthusiasts who would like to keep a piece of the Queen of the skies alive.  Simulator Solutions are uniquely placed to help preserve the heart and soul of these beautiful aircraft – their cockpits.  With the ability to acquire some of the few remaining 747 cockpits, Simulator Solutions can breathe life back into these shells and turn them into fully functioning flight simulators to live on for many years to come.

Simulators Solutions have been building 747 simulators for the last 20 years.  Their SimStack hardware was specifically designed to bring old flight decks to life and is operating in dozens of aircraft simulators around the world.  Turning a cockpit into a simulator is no small task and the results speak for themselves with a simulator that has the look, feel, smell and function of the real aircraft.

These 747-400 simulators are turnkey units complete with high definition wrap around visual systems and all the necessary computers.  For added realism, a motion platform can also be included.

Unfortunately, as more of these beautiful aircraft are cut up, the number of viable cockpits reduces.  Once they have all been scrapped, the opportunity to own one as a simulator will no longer be possible.

Befitting her status as the Queen of the skies, these simulators do come with a regal price tag.  Anyone interested in owning a piece of royal history should contact Simulator Solutions for details about this unique opportunity.

Like all businesses Simulator Solutions is affected by COVID-19.

Although our office and workshop efforts continue as normal, travel restrictions impact our ability to complete several projects as planned.  

We will be in contact with affected customers to work with them on rescheduling affected works when the travel situation allows.

Stay safe, and best wishes to those affected.

Simulator Solutions are at the Singapore Airshow!

Stop by the Australian Stand (B67) this week to discuss your integration challenges, or just to say ‘Hi’ to Rod!

https://www.singaporeairshow.com/

At the end of November, we had a visit from Dave Jones who runs the very successful EEVBlog on YouTube. Dave, who is an electrical engineer, was very interested in SimStack and our work turning cockpits into simulators.

Dave spent several hours filming the simulator project and then some more time interviewing Rod. He produced two videos about SimStack and the work that Simulator Solutions are doing to convert an ex United Airlines 747-400 cockpit into a simulator in Sydney, Australia.

The two videos can be viewed on YouTube – the links appear below:

In September Simulator Solutions commissioned their latest 747-400 simulator built with genuine, unmodified panels and parts.

This simulator has been constructed over the past 18 months from former Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 B-HUF and has 32 SimStack interfaces that are used to connect:

• OEM synchros and resolvers in throttles, controls and gauges
• OEM Korry switches and annunciators
• OEM ARINC 429 devices including RCPs, MCP and Transponder
• Throttle motor drive and interlocks
• OEM solenoids and stickshakers
• Retrofitted OEM CDUs
• Various other OEM controls, lamps, sensors and circuit breakers

The 6 display units featured on the flightdeck are a new product produced by Concord Aerospace who also sourced many of the OEM panels and instruments to complete the cockpit. Visuals are provided by Lockheed Martin Prepar3d v4 connected to three Optoma HD projectors, and the whole simulator is connected with over 5.5 kilometres of wire in 100 looms drawing approximately 70 amps of current at peak load across multiple DC and AC supply circuits.

The aircraft avionics and flight simulation is of course provided by Aerowinx Precision Simulator 10 (PSX), and additional free community tools are used to interface with Prepar3d and provide other addon services.

Originally retired in 2014 having accumulated 102,639 flight hours and an estimated 90,000,000 kilometres of travel, the flightdeck of B-HUF has now been restored to operational status to educate and entertain for many years ahead.

Simulator Solutions have developed the SimStack Distribution board to replace the highly successful SimStack Ground Board.

The SimStack Distribution board was developed as a result of feedback from customers who found they needed to aggregate more than just ground connections. This new board has four independent voltage busses, allowing greater flexibility when building wiring looms.

This new board is available with the traditional spring connectors or optionally with the Wago 733 series connectors.

Please visit the SimStack Distribution board page for more information about the board and pricing.

SimStack boards can now be ordered from Simulator Solutions with optional pluggable connectors.

The Wago 733 series pluggable connectors provide the following benefits:

• Spring loaded for ease of wiring
• Keyed fittings to make each connector unique
• Included with strain relief brackets
• Allows looms to be fully constructed before installation
• Provides easier field servicing of SimStack boards

SimStack boards can be ordered with standard spring connectors, Wago 733 series connectors or a mixture of both. The Wago connectors add approximately US$25 to the cost of each board.