Build Your Own Flight Simulator Rudder Pedals: Step‑by‑Step DIY Guide

About this project

Update 2021

The new version of the pedals has a HID-interface and an improved design. The advanced Hall effect sensors module provides very precise control. Details on my website.

Hi, flight simmers! I invented and made pedals for an aircraft simulator, the main function of which is performed by Arduino. And I really want to share this development with you. It turned out that such pedals can be made in two days, but it takes two weeks to describe the process of creating them. Therefore, I made several videos showing this process in as much detail as possible.

Making pedals

Arduino can be connected to the flight simulator in two ways. Link to digital connection using ArduinoJoystickLibrary and Arduino Micro board here.

I connect my pedals with an analog connection. And the sketch given here refers to this connection method.

Both of these methods, creating a circuit and configuring sensors are shown in the following video.

Sensors and electronics

I am very interested in your opinion on this design, please leave your comments.

Code

• Analog output via digiPOTs

Analog output via digiPOTsArduino

#include <SPI.h>  

#define CS_RUDDER 10 
#define CS_LEFT 8 
#define CS_RIGHT 9 
#define SENSOR_LEFT_PEDAL A6
#define SENSOR_RIGHT_PEDAL A5
#define SENSOR_RUDDER_LEFT A0
#define SENSOR_RUDDER_RIGHT A1

int val_left, val_right, remap_left, remap_right, rudder,
    val_brake_left, val_brake_right, remap_brake_left, remap_brake_right;

int tuning_rudder = 128;
// int tuning_left_brake = 255;
// int tuning_right_brake = 255;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  SPI.begin();    
  pinMode (CS_RUDDER, OUTPUT);   
  pinMode (CS_LEFT, OUTPUT);   
  pinMode (CS_RIGHT, OUTPUT);  
}

void loop() {
 
  // --------------------------------------------------------
  // RUDDER PEDALS          -128 --- x --- 128
  // --------------------------------------------------------

  // Read and remap sensor RUDDER LEFT 
  val_left = analogRead(SENSOR_RUDDER_LEFT);
  if (val_left <= 950) { 
    remap_left = map(val_left, 30, 870, -128, 0); // -40
  }
  else remap_left = 0;
  // Set limitations RUDDER LEFT 
  if (remap_left > 0) remap_left = 0;
  if (remap_left <= -128) remap_left = -128;  

  // Read and remap sensor RUDDER RIGHT   
  val_right = analogRead(SENSOR_RUDDER_RIGHT);
  if (val_right <= 950) {
    remap_right = map(val_right, 0, 820, 132, 0); // -50
  }
  else remap_right = 0;  
  //Set limitations RUDDER RIGHT   
  if (remap_right < 0) remap_right = 0;
  if (remap_right >= 127) remap_right = 127;  
  
  rudder = remap_left + remap_right;
  

   if (remap_left == 0) {
      tuning_rudder = tuning_rudder + 128;
   }
   else {
      tuning_rudder = abs(tuning_rudder - 128);
   }

  // --------------------------------------------------------
  // BRAKING
  // --------------------------------------------------------  

  val_brake_left = analogRead(SENSOR_LEFT_PEDAL);

  if (val_brake_left <= 328) {
    remap_brake_left = map(val_brake_left, 200, 328, 0, 255);
  }
  else remap_brake_left = 255; 
  if (remap_brake_left < 0) remap_brake_left = 0;

  val_brake_right = analogRead(SENSOR_RIGHT_PEDAL);  
  if (val_brake_right <= 328) {
    remap_brake_right = map(val_brake_right, 200, 328, 0, 255);
  }
  else remap_brake_right = 255; 
  if (remap_brake_right < 0) remap_brake_right = 0;  

/* 
  // ARDUINO SETUP

  // Neutral sensors setup
  Serial.print(val_left); 
  Serial.print(" | " );     
  Serial.println(val_right);
  delay(400);

  // Output setup
  Serial.print(remap_brake_left); 
  Serial.print(" | " ); 
  Serial.println(remap_brake_right); 
  Serial.print(" | " );   
  Serial.print(rudder); 
  Serial.print(" | " );     
  Serial.println(tuning_rudder);
  delay(400);
*/

  // --------------------------------------------------------
  // SEND DATA TO digiPOTs
  // -------------------------------------------------------- 

    digitalWrite(CS_RUDDER, LOW); 
    SPI.transfer(0b00010001);   
    SPI.transfer(tuning_rudder);          
    digitalWrite(CS_RUDDER, HIGH);
    delay(5); // Delay for data time smoothing
    
    digitalWrite(CS_LEFT, LOW); 
    SPI.transfer(0b00010001);   
    SPI.transfer(remap_brake_left);          
    digitalWrite(CS_LEFT, HIGH);
    delay(5);

    digitalWrite(CS_RIGHT, LOW); 
    SPI.transfer(0b00010001);   
    SPI.transfer(remap_brake_right);          
    digitalWrite(CS_RIGHT, HIGH);
    delay(5);
}

Schematics