Genuine MIP frame and screen modification.

I am still busy but I managed to work a bit on the genuine MIP frame. You might be asking what is there to work… Well fitting the screens in there can be quite a challenging task! You will be faced with monitor and MIP frame display dimension problem! A320 uses six single displays for PFD, ND, EWD, SD,.. which dimensions are not common to any regular LCD or LED monitors out there.

There are two reasonable options, one is finding the monitors with sort of similar dimensions as the MIP frame openings and accordingly adjust the frame to fit. Another option is to order a custom size LCD displays that fit the MIP frame or maybe need only a minor grind. This option sounds better and more straightforward but it might cost you a bit more. For custom LCD check James’s Jet330 FB page, those MIP screens just look stunning.

Because I already had some 17″  LCD widescreen monitors from previous wooden MIP design I decided to also use them in genuine MIP frame. One wide 17″ monitor covers both PFD and ND displays on one side. As far as width is concerned it would fit perfectly but for this “double” screen to fit into the frame opening I had to cut away the central pillar between PFD and ND opening. The problem of this 17″ monitor is his height! The screen is way too high for the frame opening and with the tables attached at the bottom the only way to install it is to sticks upwards in the area of glare wings! To do that I also had to cut the upper part of the frame in display area and also a part of the FCU bracket which was a bit scary! Before the first cut I started thinking of that custom screens again…

Cuts to central display opening pillar and upper part of the frame with angle grinder and smaller dremel where ok but cutting the FCU bracket was terrifying as this cut expectedly weakened the structure strength of the bracket!

With genuine FCU weighing around 6kg and placed at the end of the bracket I got a feeling it will easily break on narrow section left above the cut. It was clear that this needs to be strengthened somehow. I decided to make reinforcement from previously cut parts. To make it more solid in addition of screws I also used cold weld bonding compound for aluminum. It is actually an epoxy resins compound with the addition of micronized aluminum metal.

screwed and basically glued the reinforcement plates around the LCD monitor cuts, filled the void in the bracket and made an extension to connect it to lower MIP frame. The bracket is now firm and ready to hold the FCU.

First test…

Genuine MIP frame and screen modification.

12 thoughts on “Genuine MIP frame and screen modification.

  • 03/06/2020 at 00:47
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    hello im willing to pay 1200$ for the set please respond as soon you see this email so I can have an answer .

    thank you

    Reply
    • 03/06/2020 at 19:15
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      Hi,
      This MIP is part of my cockpit and it’s not for sale, sorry.

      Reply
  • 26/07/2020 at 06:27
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    Hello!
    Great setup!
    I’m start working on a similar project myself.. any recommendations? 😉
    What program you use to the PFD/ navigation display and efis?
    Kind regards
    Diogo

    Reply
    • 17/09/2020 at 15:57
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      Hi,
      Thanks. Recomendations, hm… set your cockpit goals before you start the project otherwise it will become unmanageable and don’t be in a hurry! I still wish I could dedicate more time to this project
      Any way, for displays ND/PFD and efis I am using Jeehell FMGS software.

      Reply
    • 10/10/2020 at 08:22
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      Hey where should I get the frame form cheap rate

      Reply
      • 14/10/2020 at 08:36
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        Hi,

        I think getting oem MIP frame cheap is pretty hard! Cockpit interior like liners or rack frames are sold with complete cockpit section or together as an interior package for quite some money. Rarely these parts are sold individually. The fastest and cheapest way is to make it yourself.

        Reply
        • 29/10/2020 at 13:47
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          How to get the dimension and what material should I use

          Reply
          • 07/11/2020 at 23:02
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            Hi, you can find some measurements on page under gallery/a320-cockpit-dimensions and Simpit.de
            The choice of material depends on personal preferences. I liked the combination of wood for back structure and Perspex acrylic panels.

  • 04/12/2020 at 16:59
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    Hello you dont need cut nothing, i use lcdboard b156han1.2. Fit perfect!!!! For pilot and copilot in oem a320

    Reply
    • 04/12/2020 at 22:27
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      Hi, that is a great find if 15.6″ display fits directly in to frame. I know there are some better laptop display options available now! When I was working on my MIP frame wide 17″ displays where the best and the cheapest solution I could find.

      Reply
  • 08/04/2024 at 09:47
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    Hi,
    You’ve done amazing job, the MIP looks absolutely amazing! How did you “split” display that one part shows pfd and the second displays navigation display?
    Cheers

    Reply
    • 13/04/2024 at 21:51
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      Hi,
      regarding the “split” most of home cockpit simulation programs for A320 systems have the ability to position and scale individual window displays (PFD/ND/SD/EWD) relative to cutouts you have in the MIP.

      Reply

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