I'm a fan of 2D panels and don't much like virtual cockpits. The FSX default caravan 2D panel was horrible if you want to see where you are going. I decided to rework the default panel to make flying the Caravan much more accessible. The panel background was reworked to take up more screen space (left to right) and less screen space (top to bottom). As there was a lot of "wasted" space on the default's left hand side, the instruments were moved over and some of the radio stack was added to the main view.
A couple of notes...
Yes, the annunciator panel was moved to the "roof". I realize the real Caravan's annunciator panel is on the dash, but it just wouldn't fit there with all the engine gauges on the panel. I decided I wanted the engine gauges, so the annunciator got moved. Most everything else is fairly realistic within reason and still readable within the limits of FSX ability.
Like the default panel, there are several pop up panels that are accessible via sim icon or keyboard "shift-X" keystrokes.
Shift-2 brings up the remainder of the radio stack
Shift-3 brings up the GPS
Shift-4 brings up the Engine Controls
Shift-5 brings up the Electrical Panel
Shift-6 brings up the Fuel Selector
Shift-7 brings up the Outside Air Temp
Shift-8 brings up the light and icing switches
Two of the default switches had to have the graphics reworked. The mod switches are in the C208Mod.cab file. The remainder of the gauges are default.
To install...
Copy the panel.mod folder into your ....\SimObjects\Airplanes\C208B folder. Once this folder has been copied, you will have to edit your C208B's "aircraft.cfg" file to tell FSX to use the new panel. Once the aircraft.cfg file has been opened with Notepad, look for a section called [Fltsim.0]. Under this section, one of the entries will say "panel=". You need to change this to say "panel=mod". Do this for each variation of the aircraft you want the new panel to appear in (fltsim.1, fltsim.2, etc.). Fire up FSX and check it out.
Legal Stuff - This is just the default panel with different graphics. I shall not be held responsible if something goes wrong. Use it at your own risk. If you don't feel comfortable with the installation, do some research on "aircraft.cfg" files and panels.
Have fun flying and drop some feedback if you want.
