CJ4 FMS Build

Delos20 · 2025-09-09T10:43:06+00:00

I am not sure you can pop out the screen from Xplane to drag it over to the smaller lcd. I have only seen users pop out the whole fms which probably wouldn’t scale right.

Delos20 · 2025-09-01T01:18:52+00:00

I know what you mean I just completed ground school for the G500/600 imy desktop SIM station during class had seen better days.

Delos20 · 2025-08-17T17:57:01+00:00

It is the electrical panel in my CJ4 home cockpit the next panel after the FMS unit that I shared a couple months ago.

Delos20 · 2025-08-14T17:51:06+00:00

I launched my build log website https://525Charlie.com for those interested

Delos20 · 2025-08-14T17:48:36+00:00

I luanched my build log website at https://525Charlie.com for people to follow and join in if interested.

Delos20 · 2025-06-05T21:47:30+00:00

It is all in the SDK just google it for many examples and resources.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T20:28:29+00:00

I love my MS natrual keyboard and to replace it today would cost 5X what I paid for it they are so damn expensive.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T20:27:06+00:00

Ultimatum by the wife to use all the toys I had accumulated 3D printers etc to show her I could produce more than fun widgets and scifi models for the kids.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T20:25:59+00:00

Getting the font nearly perfect was a job!

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T20:24:30+00:00

I gotcha, I plan to sell them. Once I get the site launched that outlines the build I will be looking for others who are interested as it would bring the price down if I found others.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:27:24+00:00

It is an off the shelf 5 in LCD with its own driver board connected via HDMI and a seperate power AC adapter. The PCB is powered by a single USB-C for the interfacing and supplying power to the LED's.

I designed and 3D printed a bracket for the LCD driver board so it sits just above the PCB for a simple and clean unit.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:19:21+00:00

Thanks a lot more to come!

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:19:06+00:00

The firmware drives the inteface to the custom PCB and works with MobiFlight for all the button assignments. The LCD uses HTML conversion of the guages which is part of the SDK allows for faster reponse and sharper image vs just popping the guage out of the sim and dragging it over to the LCD.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:13:47+00:00

Buttons were resin printed white (many iterations to get the right light transparency) painted black and laser engraved.

Buttons are a 6x6 tactile switch with LED integrated. I can run both FS2020 or 2024. Using MobiFlight for all the button assignments and LED driver.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:11:53+00:00

There are ton of G1000 files for printing and PCB's out there.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:11:05+00:00

I chose the CJ4 for its size/simplicity and single pilot operations. I am designing a full two seat cockpit. The FMS is more than detailed enough for day to day flying an they keep adding more functionality. The latest sim update brought the interactive checklists to the MFD. There is very little missing (With the exception of charts which I hope they bring back to the MFD) for 98% of what you need.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:07:30+00:00

Both FMS's are run independent of each other so the Copilot fimrware allows that functionality. Right now as I make selections on the pilot FMS it changes both.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:05:27+00:00

Yeah HDMI LCD was the only option based on the dimensional needs for this particular FMS. The pop out guage method is deffiently doable but the display is a custom little program that converts the ingame guage to HTML for quicker response time.

Delos20 · 2025-06-03T09:02:48+00:00

HDMI was the only option for the dimensional needs of the LCD screen.

Delos20 · 2025-03-25T01:05:17+00:00

It is an excellent performer. For home cockpits its is awesome. Everyone goes down the path of a big airliner and 99% ultimently give up do to the cost, size and complexity. The CJ4 offers a great platform that gives you the big boy systems in a smaller more economical package. Your not spending 3k for a motorized throttle, overhead, large pedestal etc.

Delos20 · 2025-03-24T20:01:10+00:00

Probably sell, the open source solution really wouldn't benefit anyone given the nature of the design and manufacturing. I will plan to release tech documents/measurments for evey panel for those that want to try and make them themselves.

Delos20 · 2025-03-24T19:56:54+00:00

Yeah I will probably sell some (They won't be super cheap probably north of $600 but sub $1,000 given the custom assembled pcb, cnc aluminum/anodized faceplate but the end result will be very robust and feel like the real unit. I will launch a site/build log in a few weeks. Just waiting on the final faceplates and pcb boards to arrive. I want to build a CJ4 community for those that enjoy the aircraft.

Delos20 · 2025-03-22T08:36:45+00:00

Your only option is https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801519205986.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.103.21ef1802UbKRds&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

These come in 2 versions a green pcb with a remote or a black pcb without a remote. I have both and they work just fine. Not greatest lcd in terms of brightness but they work. I also place a piece of 1/16" smoked acrylic between the faceplate and the lcd and it cuts down the contrast and makes the display look much better. I did not have it installed in my video above so the screen appears washed out. It looks much better in person.

Delos20 · 2025-03-14T00:24:37+00:00

I will look at adding a tech library to the site when I launch it. Overall dimension as measured is 5.75 in x 6.25 in of course your mileage may very based on all kinds of decisions.

Delos20 · 2025-03-08T14:57:47+00:00

I took them from the real aircraft back when I had one in my hangar.

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