The SIM-board range of hardware control modules has been extensively researched, designed and tested by professional and amateur cockpit builders with the aim of offering to the public a unique, easy and flexible approach to controlling the hardware elements of a home-cockpit project.

There are 2 main function modules available in the range, which allow use of:

• switches (such as push-buttons, toggle switches and other types of switches);
• rotary encoders (twist-shaft units often used for controlling the value of autopilot or communications radio settings);
• potentiometers (used to receive feedback of positional information such as within flight controls, or illumination brightness control);
• outputs (such as lamps and LEDs for indicators and backlighting, or relay switching for high-load output types);
• 7-segment displays (often used to display autopilot or communications radio values).

You require one SIM-board Master Module, and one or more SIM-board USB Function Module(s), to get going. The Master Module connects to your PC USB port and provides the link between your PC and the function modules further down the chain. You then connect as many function modules as you need to this module and subsequent function modules in turn, to create a chain of modules as long as you need. The chain can be powered directly from your PC USB port if it is short enough, or for longer chains a supplementary power supply can be plugged into the Master Module to power the chain over longer distances.

Your hardware elements such as LEDs, switches and other devices are simply plugged into the appropriate pins on the modules using easy-to-use crimp contact wires (the tools for creating these are available for separate purchase on our website too). By using the Handy Connection Guides available in our Support area, and the interactive connection help available directly from our SIM-board Universal Controller software, you'll be up and running in no time!

The SIM-board range has been designed from scratch by a commercial airline pilot acutely aware of the challenges facing home-cockpit builders when it comes to choosing, fitting and controlling the hardware for such projects. The range has been designed to be very easy-to-use both in terms of physical connections and wiring, and software control. No expertise or knowledge of electronics or computer programming is required to use the SIM-board range. The board design clearly shows the connections available to use and is supported by both a quick-start guide and detailed information guides online. The control software, supplied free of charge as a downloadable Windows application, allows beginners to quickly assign actions to change elements within other PC software programs, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator and Project Magenta, via a point-and-click user interface. Advanced users can easily extend their projects to a professional level by creating their own custom-code assignments within the Visual Basic-style SIM-board Scripting Language which lies at the heart of the control software.