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autopilot pannel for simulation of airbus a320

Hardware

By @fabioblanco

  • 4 Devlogs
  • 8 Total hours

Hi everyone! In this project I'm building a 1:1 replica of the Airbus A320 autopilot panel (also known as the FCU: flight control unit), an airplane used by EasyJet or Wizz Air. I'll then build other cockpit components. The main difference between the FCUs they sell for the simulator will be: 1) there will be two stereos inside the case so you can hear audio without headphones, which is very convenient for long-haul flights; 2) the ESP 32 will have a website where you can view all its parameters, and the airplane's parameters; 3) it will be very, very modular, so if a piece breaks I can replace it very quickly. In fact, I'll use very few screws. The challenges of this project are: 1) the spring-loaded mechanism for the knobs; 2) the PCB, as it's the first one I've ever produced. 3) the connection with the Microsoft Flight Simulator, there would be some software for this purpose but since I want to learn to program I will do it myself, in fact I will probably use an ESP 32

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@fabioblanco on autopilot pannel for simulation of airbus a320

1h 47m logged

DevLog 4
05/08/2026

Started development on the knob “pull” function; the mechanism might cause quite a few issues for now, so once it’s working, I’ll need to optimize it and make it more durable.
Finished the rear wall and its corresponding supports.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN DEVLOG 6:

  1. Completion of the mechanism for the pull function.
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@fabioblanco on autopilot pannel for simulation of airbus a320

1h 44m 1s logged

DevLog 3 05/08/2026
In this devlog, I want to show you three updates:

  1. I’ve made the supports more modular and easily detachable from the main panel, so if one breaks, I can easily replace it. I’ve also started designing them with a pull system similar to the real A320 FCU.
  2. I’ve created the rear panel, which will also be very modular. It will be mounted using a slot with two rails behind it and will be held in place by the upper panel.
  3. I corrected the positions of three knobs because I realized that their measurements were incorrect. I adjusted their positions to make the layout more accurate and closer to the real A320 FCU.
    WHAT TO EXPECT IN DEVLOG 5:

-Upper panel, as similar as possible to the real thing

-Start or finish the knob pull system, which will be spring-loaded

-Continue improving the modular design

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@fabioblanco on autopilot pannel for simulation of airbus a320

2h 1m 5s logged

Devlog: 2

04/08/2026

With this log, I want to update you on two main things:

  1. I’ve created the mounts for the buttons and encoders behind the panel; these mounts will be easily removable in case they break or I want to modify them (perhaps in a future project I could add the “pull” function found on the real FCU—I’m not doing it now because it’s very difficult).
  2. I’ve started thinking about how to handle the button labels; on the real Airbus, labels like “AP1” or “AP2” are printed in white, but my printer doesn’t have an AMS, so printing the text will be tricky—I think I’ll write them on using white correction fluid.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FUTURE DEVLOGS:

  • updates on how I’ll handle the labeling
  • starting the PCB work (I’ll likely use an ESP32 microcontroller)
  • choosing the two screens.
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@fabioblanco on autopilot pannel for simulation of airbus a320

2h 30m 41s logged

Devlog 1 - initial design

04/08/2026

today i started designing the housing for my a320-style autopilot panel in fusion 360.

i created the main housing and added holes for the knobs and buttons. i also researched and selected the components i plan to use for the project.

i designed the front panel to be as close as possible to the real a320 fcu while keeping the design practical to manufacture

Next steps:

  • Finish the front panel design
  • Finalize the component selection
  • design the mounts for the displays and electronics
  • start working on the electronics and ESP32
  • test the controls with Micreosoft Flight simulation
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