![]() Says Ryan Griggs, Francis Parker’s robotics teacher and lead for the school’s FIRST Robotics Team, “Aidan’s skills as a full stack engineer continue to grow and impress. ![]() To make the steering feel more realistic, the teen engineer used gears and motors to create a “force feedback” mechanism that tightens and loosens the steering according to the simulated flying conditions. He even found actual airplane rudder pedals on eBay, as well as a real yoke, the airplane’s steering mechanism. He used MDF and acrylic from the local hardware store, along with high tech components such as Arduino microcontrollers and used, disassembled joysticks he found for sale online. (I also love playing guitar and drums.)”Ĭarefully designing and assembling the parts, Aidan wired the controls and switches into circuit boards. This project was my way of combining two of the three things I love most. He’s created a way to make his dreams of flight come true, even if they are delayed for the time being.”Įxplains Aidan, whose mechanical, electrical and software skills are largely self-taught, “I love aviation, especially World War II aircraft, and I love to build things. His mother, Melissa Fay explains, “We had no idea when we passed along a free copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator when he was 8 that this would one day be the result. Sitting at his cockpit wearing the Oculus Rift virtual reality device he saved for last year, Aidan, 17, “flies” all over San Diego thanks to the flight simulation software his parents bought him when he was in elementary school. His goal? To create as life-like a flight experience as he could, so he could practice flying even when not in the air. He’s invested more than 200 hours in the project thus far, starting with a prototype and modifying his design over time.īy wiring physical switches, potentiometers, USB joystick parts, and an arduino directly into his computer, Aidan has created a realistic flying experience that enables him to travel the world - virtually that is. Parker School junior and lifelong aviation enthusiast, created his simulation cockpit using everyday materials and components found online. Today, a full-scale Cessna 172 cockpit simulator sits in his bedroom, occupying as much space as his desk and bedside table combined.ĭetermined to learn to fly and one day qualify for his Class 3 pilot’s license despite the medical setback, the Francis W. When the FAA told the La Jolla teen he could not fly an airplane solo because of a pre-existing medical condition, he built one instead. Grounded? Not for teen inventor Aidan Fay. Gift the gift of Make: Magazine this holiday season! Subscribe to the premier DIY magazine todayĬommunity access, print, and digital Magazine, and more Share a cool tool or product with the community.įind a special something for the makers in your life. Skill builder, project tutorials, and more Get hands-on with kits, books, and more from the Maker Shed Initiatives for the next generation of makers. ![]() Membership connects and supports the people and projects that shape our future and supports the learning.A free program that lights children’s creative fires and allows them to explore projects in areas such as arts &Ĭrafts, science & engineering, design, and technology.Microcontrollers including Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Drones and 3D Printing, and more. Maker-written books designed to inform and delight! Topics such as. ![]() ![]() A smart collection of books, magazines, electronics kits, robots, microcontrollers, tools, supplies, and moreĬurated by us, the people behind Make: and the Maker Faire.Together tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators across the globe. A celebration of the Maker Movement, a family-friendly showcase of invention and creativity that gathers.The premier publication of maker projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews, and inspirational stories,. ![]()
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