Abstract
Lockheed Martin has sponsored our team to create flight controls for the F-35 jet simulator. The F-35 jet has a cockpit with fewer buttons than usual and more information displayed on computer screens, making it different from other planes and needing extra training time for pilots. Lockheed Martin wants a package that allows more pilots the chance to train in various environments around the world. Our goal is to make a low-cost portable set of flight controls for a desktop computer or 3D-printed cockpit.
We focused on the joystick, throttle, and rudder pedals as the most important parts a pilot needs for simulator training. The joystick and rudder pedals change the direction the plane flies. The throttle changes the engine thrust. The buttons on the controls provide easy access to the flight display computers, aircraft weapons, and other features of the jet.
Our current design for the HOTAS and RPS systems
We included parts of the controls from previous senior design teams’ projects. We picked a design with simple parts which are easy to replace if needed. We also made them strong enough to withstand repeated use for training. The flight controls are compatible with many different computers because they connect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. The joystick, throttle, and rudder pedals weigh less than 35 pounds each making them easy for the average person to move.
To keep the production cost low, we used 3D printers for some mechanical parts. Our team created a small microcontroller with circuits to measure the control movements and send button signals to the computer. We wrote the program code and designed the printed circuit board for the microcontroller. The cases containing the moving parts and electronics of the joystick and throttle protect them and make sure they work well for a long time.
Prototype of the flight controls.
Our Sponsor
We would like to thank Lockheed Martin and our project liaison, Mr. Andrew Filault, for sponsoring this project and providing us the opportunity to support the 21st century warfighter.
Mr. Andrew Filiault