Projects: Make a desktop Cessna 172 practice dashboard

I began my flight training about a month ago with the mandatory ground school. Just like it was with driving, the theory is nice but I can’t wait to get behind the yoke of a plane and take it up for a spin (well preferably no spins in an airplane).

While I was browsing educational materials online, I found some cockpit posters for different aircraft. I purchased a Cessna 172 cockpit poster and was faced with a conundrum: if I stick it on the wall, I can’t really reach it and it may be damaged when I’m moving. I decided to mount the poster on a science fair display board. That way I can carry it with me and put it up wherever there is a horizontal surface (i.e. even ground) to practice the pre-takeoff checks, take-off checks and so on.

If you are an aviation buff, a pilot in training or just think it would be cool to sit in the cockpit of an F-18E Super Hornet, read on.

What you will need:

• cockpit poster (plane of your choice. Keep in mind that a Boeing 700 series has an overhead part too):

  

• science fair display board:

  

• Glue, tape (optional) and cutting tools (sharp cutting tools, a razor blade or exacto knife would be recommended):

  

To put it all together:

1. Place the poster on the display board and decide where you would like it located (i.e. centered, off to the left like mine, etc.).
2. Cut the poster in a straight line along the fold of the display board. This will effectively remove the creasing when the board is folded for storage/carrying.
3. Apply glue to the display board in the area where you will be placing the biggest part of the poster. Attach the biggest part of the poster and make sure it is square (i.e. parallel to the edges of the display board).
4. Let the big part dry for 2 – 3 minutes so that you don’t accidentally move it out of place.
5. Apply glue to the display board in the area where you will be placing the smaller part of the poster and attach it to the board.
6. Allow them to dry and there you have it: your very own desktop Cessna 172 dashboard.

   

Some improvements I would make: cut the poster straight, add checklists and pointers in the white space around it (you can also just cut it off) or decorate the white space with clouds or something. I would also consider laminating the pieces of the poster and sticking velcro on their back. This would allow me to buy multiple cockpit posters (Cessna, Piper, etc.) and create a practice dash for the plane I need.

I hope you enjoyed this project. I look forward to your comments and Happy DIYing!

(This project is also available as an Instructable)

Technorati Tags: flight training, cockpit, cessna, flying, diy, project, poster

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