The LA DWP has been doing a Christmas light show every year for the last 14 years. We drove up last night to check it out. I figured it was going to be lights in the trees, etc, but as it turns out they depict famous and well known landmarks throughout Los Angeles, in Christmas lights!

So I’m walking along and all of a sudden, I see an animated LAX, with a jet that takes off! On top of that, they have the restaurant there and the cones that change colors! How cool is that!

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Ever wanted to see the 737′s trim in action? Your wait is over. Here is a great video showing a real 737′s trim system in action. For those of us who don’t know the intricate details of these aircraft, these types of video provide a vast amount of knowledge to help us understand them better.

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Over the last month I’ve been trying to get a chronometer (a clock) working. My first attempt was to use an old Matrox Orbital LCD screen I had. I modified an old clock insert I had from the 747 years ago and it “worked”.

The problem was, it only displayed the PC time. It would not let you display FS time/Zulu time. Sure, you can set the PC clock to zulu time, but I just didn’t want that.

The next thing I tried was a $100 LCD from Fry’s that is used with a reverse camera for a car.

This LCD has composite in, so coming out from the video card it would work great! PROBLEM.. it’s a 16:9 screen. IE Widescreen. There are no controls to change the aspect ratio, so, the chronometer from project magenta was oval shaped. Strike two.

Then, I recalled people (even FDS) using PSOne screens for their CDU’s and thought I’d give them a try. I ordered two off Ebay, about $45 each.

I went to Radioshack and bought a stereo mini 8 plug (that has 3 connectors, NOT 2…) and has a female RCA end. From there it’s just RCA to the video card, done! (You can see the connector in this photo, its the silver one)

And the result is….

WOW!

This is running another copy of the PFD project magenta software, with the chronometer on and the only thing showing. The PSOne screen has a white border around it that shows a little through the FDS clock hole. I solved that by putting a little piece of paper on the right side. When viewed straight on, you can see it (as in this photo) but from the captain’s chair you do not see it, neat!

I received an early Christmas gift! A CDU from my wife! (Thank you honey!!) I am going to be ordering FDS’s CDU next year, but this will do just fine until then! It installed just great into the cdu bay and works perfectly with the Project Magenta CDU software!

And here is a video of the chronometer and the CDU in action!

If Revolution Simproduct’s 737 throttle is as impressive as their email updates, photo updates and all around so far great sales pitches, then I’m going to be one very happy customer!

Just got an update from them today, including pictures of their all new full metal flaps lever, stronger trim axis bar and a new security lock mechanism for flaps. (For example, it would prevent you from setting flaps 15 if the lock is set at 5)

And, they are going to email customers photo updates of their TQ during it’s construction, to which all will be posted here when those start coming in! (I however don’t feel it’s right to post the photos they are sending us showing how they are making their product better. Too easy for someone to copy them)

There is nothing like wondering “what state” your order is in, and so far these guys have proven the ability to keep their customers updated. What great customer service!