The pedestal is a large box that is located between the captain’s and first officer’s seats. It allows for modular installation of communication radios, navigation radios, and audio controls. It also contains various miscellaneous controls for the weather radar, transponder, cargo fire, and rudder trim. Attached to the forward edge of the panel is the Fire Control Panel.
In this simulator, the main pedestal base is Flight Deck Solutions PRO-MX pedestal base, constructed of aluminum. It incorporates a DZUS rail system that allows for each radio to quickly be mounted or removed with fasteners. This DZUS system is what is used in the real aircraft. There is an attached FDS Fire Control Panel attached. IBL lighting is integrated for use at simulated night flight in a darkened flight deck. Interfacing is done through an InterfaceIT USB I/O card as well as a FDS Ethernet controller card.
All the pedestal radios and panels are B737NG versions from Flight Deck Solutions. They include: two COMM radios, two NAV radios, two Audio Control Panels, a transponder, a Cargo Fire Panel, a Weather Radar Control Panel, and a “PRO-MX” Rudder Trim Panel. The latter panel incorporates a mechanical servo that moves the indicator rudder trim gauge.
