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Cessna 172 Project

Jump to Version 3 (2020-) Version 2 (2019-2020) Version 1 (2018-2019)

Version 3

#Cessna172sdays

The Cessna 172 Project (V3) started October 20th, 2020.

Download All C172 V3 Files

Watch the video series here!!

It started out scrapping everything from the Cessna 172 Project Version 2 and starting new based from a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model.

This CAD model gave me a rough shape of what the Cessna 172 is like, and is probably dimensionally accurate to about 3-5 inches (you can only get “so” accurate without measuring an actual plane).

From there, I created the bodies and filled them up!

The body is built from some machine-milled plywood.

You can also use a jigsaw, but the CNC mill machines these with a nicer finish.

With the Cessna 172 Project, I decided to sell everything I make (including the CNC Milled structure). You can purchase parts on the shop page.

I don’t want to be too “salesman-y”, so here’s my one plug for the shop.

I placed the panel, and started designing everything around it!

Much of the work on the simulator is little tiny tweaks and hours on CAD software. I hope this little Airspeed Indicator makes you smile though!

Version 2

Version 2 started August 29, 2019

This is the Cessna 172R flight sim vs a real C172. I did not finish this before going onto version 3. Too many things were breaking, and I felt it would be better to start an entire new version with better design constraints kept in mind.

I started off with a complete Cessna, but then gradually decreased to make it more portable and to focus my energy.

In the beginning, I planned on having an Overhead panel for failures and simulator events, but that was later eliminated when I “slimmed” my cockpit. Slimming my cockpit meant cutting all of the components that were not necessary.

Version 1

This C172 was created when I was very young, so keep this in mind when watching my filmmaking 🙂

CONSTRUCTION

I started out with foam and 1/2″ PVC Pipe Construction (Which is super good for a kid who doesn’t know what they are doing).

I had an OSB plywood floor on 2″ wheels (The plywood needed reinforcement, as the middle was sagging). I used 2 Jeep Seats I found on craigslist, and a $20 bench (Also craigslist).

I used OSB for the Panel (I later upgraded to plywood) and covered the OSB with duct tape because the painting process was messy.

Initially, I planned on having the seats on rails, but the rails would break and the ball bearings would go everywhere! I later upgraded to 1.5″ wheels.

 

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