Progress philosophy: build what you can actually operate
Most cockpit projects fail for one reason: people build for photos, not for operation. They chase “full cockpit look” before they can complete one clean phase. That’s backwards. The only progress that matters is repeatable mission flow: you run a checklist, the sim responds consistently, and your hardware doesn’t introduce new failures.
Rule: if you can’t repeat the same launch or landing cleanly three times in a row, you’re not ready to add more panels. Adding complexity to instability is how you waste months.
Milestones (what “real progress” looks like)
- Baseline software runs clean: stable install, predictable behavior, no “mystery crashes”.
- Procedures become repeatable: launch and landing can be executed from a printed checklist without improvising.
- Hardware inputs are reliable: switches don’t bounce, encoders don’t skip, mappings don’t drift.
- Controller board integration: structured inputs/outputs instead of a spaghetti of random USB boards.
- Panel artwork and manufacturing readiness: consistent labels, cutouts, and dimensions that don’t change every week.
- Transport/portability discipline: quick-disconnects, strain relief, and a pack/unpack routine that doesn’t destroy wiring.
Current focus: reliability over expansion
At this stage, the smart play is not “more features” - it’s making what exists boringly dependable. That means:
- Input validation: every switch and button is tested with a simple script/run that confirms state changes are detected correctly.
- Harness discipline: every panel is modular, every cable is labeled at both ends, and every connector has strain relief.
- Version control mindset: if you change wiring or mappings, you document it. Otherwise you’ll never know what caused a new bug.
- Procedure alignment: hardware is added only when it supports the next procedure you’re training.
If this sounds “slow”, good. Slow is how you finish. Fast is how you end up with an impressive cockpit that you can’t actually fly.
Recent work (example update format you should keep)
Use short, factual updates. No diary. No hype. Just what changed and what you learned.
- Controller I/O pass: verified switch matrix / input scanning stability; identified noisy lines and added debounce strategy.
- Panel prototype: tested one “core” panel as a module; confirmed mounting, spacing, and readability under low light.
- Checklist run: repeated one phase end-to-end; recorded two failure points caused by missed mode confirmation.
- Pack/unpack test: simulated transport; fixed two weak points (connector strain and cable routing).
Next steps (no fantasy roadmap)
- Lock one phase: make launch OR entry/landing repeatable without drama.
- Harden the controller layer: stable inputs, stable outputs, documented mappings.
- Scale panels by workflow: add only what you touch during the next phase you’re training.
- Improve documentation: short setup notes, troubleshooting checklist, known issues list.
- Only then expand: more cockpit areas, more mission scenarios, more realism.