Control Stand
Introduction
The B737 control stand (commonly referred as throttle
quadrant, TQ) provides the following controls:
- Manual and Electric Trim
- Speed Brakes
- Parking Brake System
- Thrust Levers
- Reverse Thrust
- Start Levers
- Auto Throttles and TO / GA
- Flaps
- Gear Warnings and Cutout
The TQ is the most
mechanically stressed component of the flight deck
and certainly has not an endless life time. My
personal opinion, therefore, is that the life time
of a TQ in this price segment will not exceed 800 - 1.000
operating hours. Therefore budget should be
calculated for a replacement in periods of 4-5
years.
Current Set-up
I started with a control stand from Cockpitsonic.
This was probably the best choices for the money at
this time. However,
as time went by, the TQ did not meet my demands
anymore and I bought a new TQ. This time from
Revolution Simproducts. The set-up was not easy, due
to some technical and quality issues, but all
problems have been solved to my complete
satisfaction. The only thing which could be better
is the arming position of the speed brake. It is not
possible to operate it blind, the speedbrake lever needs a very
exact positioning at the indicator. This is difficult
in situations where the aircraft operation needs
full situational awareness.
Control stand from
Revolution Simproducts. Works absolutely reliable for more than a year now.
The finishing of the visible components is excellent.
The version as I have, is interfaced via a
Opencockpits motor controller card and a joystick
card. The SIOC script runs on the FS server.
Integration
The integration of the TQ was not very difficult but
definitely far away from plug-and-play. Of course
this might have changed since then.
The TQ needs a 230V AC power supply for a 12V DC
adapter. I have pluged the adapter to the
Multi-outlet power strips with 230V AC switched.
Hence, the TQ gets only power with the OH battery
switch in its ON-position. For more information
click 'here'.
The backlit control wires are connected to a relay contact which closes with Background Light Control 'ON'.
The main functions of the TQ are controlled by a SIOC script. The IOCP server for the script is running on the FS server. Some additional configurations, e.g. parking brake, fuel valves, needs to be set in FSUIPC.
Links:
Revolution Simproducts:
http://www.revolution-simproducts.com/Home.html