Lets Fly VFR – Flight Simulation.

My Dream Flight Simulator Build Air Combat DCS World.

Welcome to my dream flight simulator build that is aimed as DCS World as it’s my main simulator of late. This is a wish lists flight simulator to see what components are out there to make it the best possible. I’m planning two paths in parallel as I already use VR and love the absolute immersion it offers; I will plan two in parallel. That means there will be a Virtual Reality Option as well as once using displays/TVs as I would not likely ever have the space for a projector setup. If you would like me to investigate this option, please level me a comment I may just dive down that rabbit home as well in the future for you.

The Dream Flight Simulator Build Plan.

It’s important when planning this sort of project how much space you have and if your setup needs to be portable in the case you need to move it. If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room, attic or basement that’s been allocated by “she who must be obeyed” then your well on the way to satisfaction already. If your single, then your free to make any choices your credit card and heart desire 🙂

SYSTEM to Power the Dream Flight Simulator Build.

This build is a DREAM build so there are no cash limitations. Many of these choices are easy to make but let’s look at the components and cost:

Monitor X 3 Wrap around for Dream Flight Simulator Build.

Getting crisp clear visuals is so so important in gaming as well as 4K or even 8K resolution with a high refresh rate monitor has to be a very nice way to immerse yourself in the whole DCS Combat experience. The choices of monitors vs TVs are often a matter of choice and cost. Large TV’s are probably going to be cheaper than dedicated monitors but having a series of curved screens seems more desirable to me so that’s the path I’m choosing. What are the biggest and best curved monitors we could consider in 2023 and beyond. Let’s check out the option I found researching this question.

From an aesthetic perspective, the Alienware 32 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor stands out as one of the most visually striking displays available, clearly designed with gamers in mind. With its unique Alienware design elements, it manages to strike a balance that makes it suitable not only for gaming but also as a stylish addition to your home or office setup. As of August 2022, it is priced at $2,299.00 AUD.

What sets this monitor apart is its subtle curvature, coupled with the AlienFX lighting features, such as the rear LED lightbar, which add an extra layer of style to the experience. Additionally, the monitor boasts clever cable management solutions and an intelligently designed stand that further enhance its overall appeal.

To navigate and customize the display settings, there’s a user-friendly OSD joystick conveniently located beneath the bezel, ensuring easy access and control. In terms of specifications, the 34″ size and 21:9 aspect ratio offer an expansive, widescreen gaming experience, with a resolution of 3440 x 1440, making it ideal for both gaming and immersive streaming sessions.

In summary, the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DW) impresses not only with its superb design but also with its optimal features, making it an excellent choice for gamers and those seeking an all-encompassing entertainment experience.

The cost of a three is : $4200 USD.

Mount Issues – Dream Flight Simulator Build.

At this point I discovered a problem with my plan on three 34 in curved monitors. In searching the possible triple monitor stands there is a limit of 32″ monitors. I was not in a search able to fins ones to suite the larger monitors so as always its time to adjust plans and look at a 32 in model to achieve the effective positioning of the monitors. The options available are both floor/wall and desk mounted options.

There is going to be some weight and expensive monitors mounted on the setup so ensure if you’re looking what size the unit can accept because they vary from up to 27Cm and below and up to 32 inch in the searches I have done. Your mounting point as well has to be quite strong so if you’re doing this on a table make sure the mount isn’t going to damage the table edge and break.

HTC VIVE Pro 2 VR Headset.

the debut of the original HTC Vive five years ago felt truly enchanting. It allowed users to immerse themselves fully in imaginative environments, a feat that took competing companies years and multiple hardware iterations to match. However, if you were to ask me at that time about the future of the VR market, my predictions would have been quite off the mark.

HTC’s early lead in the VR arena didn’t guarantee market domination, and the Vive didn’t achieve widespread recognition. Instead, HTC has largely shifted its focus toward the “enterprise market” catering to business applications. Meanwhile, Facebook’s Oculus brand has asserted its dominance in the consumer VR world, even showcasing prototypes for incorporating ads into VR games. This raises questions about the spirit of competition.

For those who use VR professionally, such as individuals designing cars in a virtual environment or creating landscapes for a popular show like The Mandalorian, the requirements are diverse. A professional VR headset must excel in delivering stunning visuals, provide the most precise tracking possible, and offer long-lasting comfort for extended use. While the Oculus Quest 2 is beloved for recreational gaming, it falls short in a professional setting.

HTC’s Vive Pro 2 is a solution designed to meet these specialized needs, and it has achieved remarkable success in doing so. However, its premium price tag, which amounts to $1,200 for the complete system or $799 for the headset alone, clearly indicates its intended audience is primarily in the capital expenditure sector. Furthermore, connecting it to a powerful PC is a prerequisite. It’s important to note that this headset is tethered and lacks wireless functionality.

HTC VIVE Pro 2 VR Headset Specs.

• Dual RGB low persistence LCD display
• 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye
• 120Hz refresh rate
• 120-degree horizontal FOV
• Hi-Res certified headphones
• Integrated dual microphones
• Bluetooth & USB-C connectivity
• SteamVR Tracking V2.0
• Adjustable IPD (57 – 72mm) with lens distance adjustment
• 5m cable
• Passthrough cameras

The Cockpit Choice – Dream Flight Simulator Build.

THis would have to be the biggest decision for the whole simulator build being I love the F-16 Viper and sat in one in my RAAF days in Malaysia. A aquadron came to try and sell them to the Malaysian RMAF. Amazing Aircraft!

BUT: I worked on the F-18 C model and loved the aircraft. Sadly, never got to get a flight in one but the AOA capabilities frightens the crap out of Viper pilots in close combat even today! Giving the option of naval operations in DCS World is truly an appealing consideration for sure. It has to be the jet I go to when I’m flying 1v1 on the multiplayer servers so its certainly a hard choice.

Finally, how can you go past the best of the best in the F-35 Joint Strike fighter? Its so hard but the problem with DCS World is there is no full fidelity F-35 and probably won’t be for 20 years. The technical information to create such an amazing simulation for DCS World is not available! There are options in PRepar3d I understand. Even MSFS 2020 has a F-35 but they are fun to fly but the stealth and weapons cannot really be modelled so that’s where I have to say No the Joint Strike fighter option. Oh Yes DCS had a MOD created in the community but it’s not even a standalone mod so Nope that’s out.

I’m Going to Choose the Viper Wing F-18 Hornet for my Virtual Build.

In this virtual dream flight simulator build I’m going with the F-18 Hornet because I know I can beat F-16 Vipers in 1V1 More often than not and its flying qualities in DCS World are more forgiving when you’re flying at the edge of its and my performance.

So what does the VIPER Wing Cockpit offer me in the end? Let’s Look at the specifications as stated on their website. Fully Physical Fighter Jet Cockpit (Rotaries and Switches), Network Ready for Multi-Pilot Engagements. Faithful Software Reproduction of the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Fighter. Reflecting All Major F-18 Features, Functional Tactical Weapons and Sensors, Accurate Radar, Navigation Systems, Dedicated Fuel, Hydraulic, Electrical, and ECS Simulations. Based on the U.S. Navy’s NATOPS Flight Manuals for the Aircraft.

The Cockpit can be shipped worldwide and is produced in Poland where the company home is. Viper Wing have been around for many years initially making cardboard cockpits then tubular ones if memory serves me correctly and now full modular aluminium cockpits that look amazing.

Cost is the big question, and they are not forthcoming on the website with a price. In a “Reedit” post it was said the F-35 was about 35,000 Euros or $36,872.50 USD. I cannot confirm this price without contacting them and I’m not going to waste their time honestly and ask them. “If you have to ask it’s probably too much, eh?”.

Controls & Pedals.

Modelling your cockpit requires you have the correct controls for the build. It’s pretty interesting that with Thrustmaster, the legendary flight simulator control manufacturer has plenty of competition with companies like WiWing and its wide range of options as well as Logitech, HORI Ace Combat 7 also a good looking unit.

• Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog ( A-10/F-16/F-18 plus a range of Rudder Pedals.
• Thrustmaster T16000 Hotas (Stick/Throttle/Rudders)
• FR-Tec Raptor Mach 1
• Logitech X56
• Thrustmaster HOTAS One

A wide range of super high quality HOTAS systems are also available from Aerotronics LLC which has a wide range of HOTAS as well as displays, HUDs and more to create your dream fighter simulator. As an example, the F-16 Controller actually works similarly to the real aircraft with just a few MM of movement and a force transducer to measure the control force required.

I do not think out of the mainstream units you can go past the full metal construction of the Thrustmaster Warthog with the F-18 add on module in this dream build.

Ejection Seat.

Aerotronics LLC also has a range of ejection seats to complete your F-16/18/22 cockpits. These look pretty amazing and if realism is what you’re looking for these products look amazing. The giveaway is there are NO PRICES on the website, so they are likely going to be for those with quite deep pockets but if you’re after the best here’s an amazing option.

Motion – You Move Me!

Where would we be if we didn’t add 6DOF motion to the dream flight simulator build. There are some incredibly expensive options available. Lets look at the options available.

Mission Complete.

It’s proven a lot of fun looking for a virtual dream flight simulator build. There is so much available and I’m sure a lot that should be included. In this dream sim build the use of a top spec gaming PC mated with the Viper Wing F-18 cockpit would be my dream option. Using the HTC VIVE Pro 2 VR Headset would bring crisp 360 deg visuals also noting the amazing advancements in VR headsets with some incredible options rumoured around the corner.

Mounting the cockpit on a 6 DOF platform is going to make the while experience super immersive and adding the Thrustmaster control system to it will simply top off the cake. Being all the displays come with the Viper wing unit there is not much left to do but roll over and go back to sleep dreaming about this incredible dream flight simulator build.

Expected Cost!

• Gaming PC – $5531
• VR Headset – HTC Pro 2 – $1400 USD
• Flight Sim – Viper Wing F-18 $36872 Approx –
• 6 DOF Platrorm – $5000
• Controls – ThrustMaster Warthog – F-18C Grip – Rudder Pedals. ($1000 USD)
• ThrustMaster – BASE –
• ThrustMaster F-18C Grip –
• Thrustmaster – Throttle Quadrant –
• ThrustMaster Rudder Pedals –

TOTAL COST = $48403 USD

Author.

Brendon McAliece is a multi-lingual expat who brings over three decades of flight simulator/PC building experience as well as over two decades of real-world jet fighter experience as a weapons/egress technician. He holds a sport pilot certificate giving him real-world flying experience.

His travels have taken him from Europe to the Middle East, Asia and his home of Australia. He has a passion for travel, languages, Flight simulation as well as Guitaring and Coffee. You can read more in his blogs below.

Learn More @ DreamingGuitar.com – DreamingCoffee.com – LetsFlyVFR.com

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