Course description
DIY Deluxe Desktop Flight Sim
This online training course shows you how to build a multi-screen flight simulator. You can build it at home with common hand tools and materials from your local home improvement store.
- Your choice: build with a yoke and throttle quadrant or HOTAS controls
- Use three 32" HDTVs for the main displays (fourth display is optional)
- Use retail flight controls, a standard folding table and materials from a hardware store
- Build this multi-screen flight sim for your home, school, EAA chapter, CAP squadron, etc.
This project is fairly large, but it fits on a standard 6 foot folding table. I chose to include this folding table because they are inexpensive and widely available for only $40 or $50.
Online Training! What to expect:
- The course includes printouts, DIY video, and text instructions
- Many video clips: over 40 minutes of streaming video total
- View on desktop, laptop, tablet, or even your phone
- Free access to the Builder Academy (learn basic skills for building DIY Flight Sims)
- Scroll down to see the curriculum and some freebies

Matt Thomas, CFII
Instructor
There is so much you can do to make your home flight simulator feel more like an aircraft cockpit. You can build the flight sim of your dreams with components from Amazon and materials from your local home improvement store!
I'm excited to show you all you can do to make your home flight simulator the best it can be. I've helped thousands of builders around the world for the past 10 years and I'm happy to help you.
Course Curriculum
Introduction
00:56
Welcome!
FREE PREVIEW
Video: Introduction
FREE PREVIEW
Tools Required
FREE PREVIEW
Printable Page: Materials List
Materials List
FREE PREVIEW
About PVC Fittings
FREE PREVIEW
The Folding Table and Main Displays
FREE PREVIEW
Pipe and Lumber Measurements
Printable Page: Pipe and Lumber Measurements
Materials and Estimated Cost List
FREE PREVIEW
PVC Pipe Frame Maps
Use Displays of a Different Size
Frame Foundation
05:43
Computer Shelf
05:28
Fasteners
02:31
Top Edge
02:00
Shelves for the Displays
05:43
Safety Railings
04:57
Folding Table
Monitor Bracket or Keyboard Mod
Paint!
05:50
Reassembly and Finishing Details
04:01
Change Log
Reviews (2)
OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTIONS!
by VICTOR SYMONDS
I have really enjoyed taking this Course! I currently have two Simulators that I have built: a "Primary" one and a "Test Bed". The "Test Bed" I use prior to moving the Hardware or the Software to the "Primary" Simulator. Both of these Simulators were major construction projects done with very limited resources. If I had taken this Course before I built the "Primary" Simulator, I would have accomplished the build faster, cheaper, and with more professional results. My plan is to completely break down the "Primary" Simulator and rebuild it using the instructions from this Course before the end of 2020. I highly recommend this Course even if you already have a Simulator that you are using. Matt has done a great job with the Course content, uses a very easy instructional style, and has obviously been very detailed with is demonstrations.
by ken Williams
OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTIONS!
by VICTOR SYMONDS
I have really enjoyed taking this Course! I currently have two Simulators that I have built: a "Primary" one and a "Test Bed". The "Test Bed" I use prior to moving the Hardware or the Software to the "Primary" Simulator. Both of these Simulators were major construction projects done with very limited resources. If I had taken this Course before I built the "Primary" Simulator, I would have accomplished the build faster, cheaper, and with more professional results. My plan is to completely break down the "Primary" Simulator and rebuild it using the instructions from this Course before the end of 2020. I highly recommend this Course even if you already have a Simulator that you are using. Matt has done a great job with the Course content, uses a very easy instructional style, and has obviously been very detailed with is demonstrations.
by ken Williams