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During a 2-day period in October 2006, Keith Roof, our good friend and A&P airplane mechanic, built what was quickly dubbed "The Kiwi" -- our hotel's new flight simulator cockpit.

Keith is a Grand Champion award-winning EAA and AAA aircraft homebuilder, and -- working entirely without plans -- was able to weld up an ergonomically-correct cockpit from left-over angle iron and tubing in just a matter of hours. 

Using an electrically-adjustable seat out of our Ford Mustang, a 12-volt power supply I had laying around for years, and the excellent CH-brand flight simulator yoke and rudder pedals as a starting point, Keith designed and crafted an incredibly comfortable, sturdy and realistic structure that -- when working with our 104" high-def projection screen and surround-sound system -- truly makes our computer flight simulator "as real as it gets."

In addition to the seat, which can be adjusted in all three axes, the yoke is height-adjustable, and the framework incorporates wheels so that the entire contraption may be easily moved by one person.   It's an awesome addition to our aviation themed hotel, and our "flightless bird" will be a centerpiece of our theater for years to come!

Updated 12/1/06  With the addition of a new, ultra-fast -crafted computer and a second monitor dedicated to displaying the control panels, the Kiwi Version 2.0 was born!  The realism level has really been kicked into high gear now!  (New pix, below...)

Here are some photos of "The Kiwi":

Added 12/1/06: The small monitor shows ONLY the control panel...	Added 12/1/06: The second monitor really improves the "feel" of the aircraft...	Added 12/1/06: Combined with the new computer -- twice as fast as the old one -- the realism is uncanny!	Keith cutting parts for The Kiwi
Keith used an arc welder to create large parts of The Kiwi	The framework roughed in...that's Keith's P-6 Hawk replica under construction in the background!	Mary flying the finished product in our theater!	Jay takes The Kiwi for a spin...
A slightly different angle showing Mary "in flight"...	A side view...	Mary's view in level flight...	Hang on! Mary landing on Madeline Island...