Ken has been using PilotEdge services for ATC in the last few years.  He found that many PilotEdge members are still using mouse-and-keyboard, which he can’t really tolerate.  He says that even a basic flight simulator cockpit is worth the price and effort, and it is especially true when flying a complex aircraft with live ATC.

Recently, he has replaced his Saitek Radio Panels and VRInsight Transporter with similar gears from Propwash Simulation as picture shown below.

Here’s his story why he chose them:

I am planning on upgrading to P3D from FSX in the near future.  Now in my cockpit I have a VRInsight transponder.  It’s a pretty nice unit, but search as I might, I could not find any confirmation that its software would be compatible with P3D version 4 or 5.  So I started hunting for a new unit.

Edit: Here’s the Link to his Cockpit submitted 18 months ago.

For the last few years I’ve been using PilotEdge services for ATC. PilotEdge requires that the “ALT” or “MODE C” setting be activated in their client server software.

There are three ways of doing this: click the “Mode C” tab in the software when connecting, set “Mode C” to be active on opening the program in preferences, or, more realistically, to activate it by a switch of button that works through FSUIPC.  This last is my preference.  With my old Transponder I had set up a three position rotary switch for this. I wanted the same capability in any new Transponder. So I started shopping.

First I looked at the unit by JAviator (https://www.javiatorsim.com). The unit costs US $205, and has a nice multi position knob labeled for the various functions. But it is non functional, only for show.

The I looked at the one from Flight Illusion (https://www.flightillusion.com).  It has the switch, but nothing in the description says if it works. But at €330 (about US $400), that is out of my price range.

Then I found Propwash Simulation (https://www.propwashsim.com).  Their unit is only US $120.  I contacted them about my requirement, and after a bit of back and forth with the company, explaining how I had my setup with FSUIPC, their programmer modified the plug-in, so it works beautifully. Incidentally, the “IDENT” button works too. The radios work beautifully too. Nice setup for US $230 plus shipping.

And during last Christmas, I saw on their website they were offering a special Christmas deal on the Nav/Comm Radio Panels — buy one, get one free (two for US $109).  I was not looking to replace my Saitek panels just yet, but this offer was too good to pass up.  Besides, the Saitek panels are too large, and one of them had a burned out LED segment.

I have mounted these units in my cockpit for now, replacing the Saitek panels. The picture above show where I plugged the opening, clearly showing how much space the new units save.

I love the looks of both the Flight Illusion and the JAviator units.  The Propwash ones are a little plain.  But still they are neat and professional looking, just don’t quite reproduce the real life units.

A small price to pay for something that works very well, looks good, and at a very good price.   Also customer service is very good.

I have no stake in this company whatsoever, but I do like to put the word out for a company that is making good products for our avocation.

As soon as it warms up a bit here in New York, and I can work out in the garage, I will be building a new instrument panel.  Once finished, I’ll send a set of pictures.