DIY Arduino Helicopter Collective Joystick Control 

It's cool having Matt Damon teach us how to make a helicopter collective.

Didn't know Matt Damon was into DIY peripherals building and gaming in general. Such an awesome dude.

My EE SR project 55 years ago was about 1/10th this difficult and took 6 months. The 741 OP amp had just been invented. The PDP8 computer had been in the lab for about 1yr. Must be wonderful to be a EE student in this day and time. Progress now easily made at warp speed.

Now I want to start on my custom controls and cockpit for Mechwarrior Online. Awesome job!

As an engineer, I love this project. As a helicopter pilot, the flying between wires and the approach made me very uncomfortable!

I'm in the process of designing/building a helicopter collective too. I've decided to use Hall Sensors for the collective instead of an encoder, and using Atmel 328P with V-USB's USB implementation.

This is great - it is amazing what we can do today for integration, electronics off the shelf and a very small amount of work and then printing to join it all up! great stuff!

Wow-this project is amazing. Great work, Kaleb!! 😍🤓

The slider on my joystick stopped working yesterday, all the connections seems fine though so it's time for an upgrade! DIY style, thank you!

I was thinking of doing this myself and Im glad iv found this video! Iv never made something like this and while I do have experience in RC aircraft of different kinds its nice to have this to follow for my first time using these electronics! I love theat handel on the colective! I was thinking adding a twisting handel to control RPM but I really love your desighn!

after paying 150USD in importation taxes on a 150USD joystick im looking for a cheap alternative to complete my setup! This really is outstanding content, not only a great video but you even made cad files and code public... I just wish more people looking into buying a collective for a flight sim could reach this video or even buy this as a complete kit. Like you said, buying a collective is really expensive, especially when you live in a country where customs are basically legal robbers.

Nice video and nice project. Interesting choice of rotary encoder instead of more precise Hall sensor for collective lever. In such nice project i would also consider to add throttle collar to collective lever, just to learn how to fly without governor (or for governor failure simulation).

Nice project. Nice for ARMA, but certainly has me thinking, of a solution for my DCS modules. Was wondering why you choose an encoder over a hall sensor for the main collective position?

I would love to have the know how to build this. Fantastic. Would love to see you add a lockable twist throttle.

Awesome build! Nice job! Just one thing, helicopter collectives have also a throttle control (wrist rotation). Will try to work on your build and add a throttle control. Thanks !

awesome gigantic extra ordinary video dude keep going

Very nice! I am watching this while working on my first joystick, maybe I will try this one someday

You can use "1-position spring-back" switches bought as rc transmitter replacement parts. I found some on ali express when searching "transmitter switch". I haven't seen any 2-position ones though.

My two favorite things Arma3 and arduino !

You should try DCS. The best heli on there is the Huey.

Return to center toggle switches should be available from specialty aircraft part supply shops like Aircraft Spruce

This is an amazine desing.I hope you make the same for a cyclic!!!!

it's best on youtube for the particular content..thanks

Wow, awesome project!

Exactly the project I'm looking for

A long-awaited video for simmers

Have you thought about adding a twist grip? I know arma 3 would probably allow it too as you can switch flight modes to realistic or advanced controls.

It a very nice job done. But why didn't you use a HAL effect sensor? Wouldn't it make it easier?

Cool project....how about something along with gesture based controlling?

Awesome project. Yes, collective for PC sims are ridiculously priced because it is a niche market. Thanks for this video. As much as Arma3 is an amazing infantry simulator and the graphics are awesome, it is at the level of a 1990 arcade game when it comes to fly helicopters. The only decent chopper sim on the market for PC is DCS. Also, IRL chopper pilots are always flying right seat. copilots are flying left seats.That's why, as you could see, the collective usually more simple on the left side as it is just meant for the copilot to take over the controls in case something happens to the pilot.

Wow awesome job!!! Can you tell me the cost´s of the building the collective?

I like it. But I'd like to see twist throttle control as well.

Couldn’t you modify a sim e-brake for driving and mount a flightstick grip on it?

This is awesome!!!

Very cool! Thx!! 😁

That was awesome!! Been drooling over some teaser pics Virpil released this past fall and been dreaming of it since. As the video mentioned the market for these is just stupid pricing, most geared towards trainers rather than simmers. But between the homebrew market and hopefully some stick makers can get us what we want (without having to make it or sell an organ).

Nice job

Great project and job. Do you sell only the mechanical kit for me to assemble? Thanks for share. Regards from Brazil.

This is cool. Could you design a normal joystick? Cause I'd like a nice space sim stick set with more buttons then the thrust master has and cheaper then a virpl

I am thinking about making a flight stick modification to one of my sticks. It uses the mechanical pot to read the twist and it is very jumpy. I would like to make a Hall effect sensor but how do i know which sensor to buy for the stick? I am assuming that any square neo magnets should also work as long as they are small? Last thing... is it simply a matter of hookingg up a hall sensor to the same wires as the original pot? Windows will see it as the original?

This is dope!

In Flight Simulator FSX at least, the collective function can be simply the normal throttle input from a joystick vertical axis - any normal joystick can be used, and it seems to me this is the same basic function you created here. You added a number of buttons that can be pushed w/o having to remove your hand from the collective - that's a valuable addition to a simple joystick functionality. I'm impressed by all the design and fabrication you presented, plus the digital circuitry and programming needed. But really, it seems a case of overkill for just the collective lever. Any decent helicopter control set needs foot pedals. That should be your project. It's mainly a mechanical problem to keep it smoothly linear over a wide enough dynamic range for the simulator, and using only short range of leg motion. Additionally it might be programmed to have variable sensitivity so that the signal varies more rapidly the harder the pedal is pressed. I made my own pedals years ago using one analog potentiometer, some springs, a few hunks of wood and a switch, activated by toe press, for the brakes when landing fixed wing. It worked to allow the correct method of sideslip for crosswind landings in fixed wing simulations. At that time most controls were analog, so the pedals and the two analog joysticks were connected to the PC game port. When PC's went to USB, I just inserted an inexpensive parallel to USB convertor box. You can do better since you know all about digital controls and mechanical design.

... be great if you can do something for the cyclic control also... pedals i'd say is easy, as there are many commercial options available at a reasonable price.

Awesome talent 👍

Great project. Someone said you have the plans. I would live to get them. How about sharing this in Fusion 360? Thanks,

any chance youve done a similar covering pedals. having issue with hall sensor and readings, very narrow range from one side to other as the sensor is moved between 2 magnets.

Did you consider using a hall effect sensor instead of the rotary encoder for the deflection measurement? Should give more resolution?

Get some built , I’ll be glad to buy one 👍🏻

pretty kewl 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

I'll look into this when my CH Products HOTAS wears out. Hopefully it's still possible a decade from now :)

You built this awesome thing for ARMA? Ever tried a rotary wing in DCS? I recommend the Gazelle in VR!

Amazing. I'm was looking for this exact project to build a collective to be used in Elite Dangerous (space sim). I'd would need to add a throttle to the collective also. What components would you recommend for a throttle control? It could either be a roller or some kind of a slide potentiometer. I'm imagining all the funky buttons I would add the make it easy to lower/raise landing gear/cargo scoop, go to super cruise, manage power conductor. This project is amazing. But first I need a 3D printer now.

iv made a few button boxes and im learning cad too, im interested in designing and making a collective too at some point! iv never used hall effect or arduiino and hvavnt got a clue. how many buttons and axis will the arduino take?

Great Video and nice project idea :) ... just one thing: ARMA3 is NOT a flight sim

Super, Thanks

20:00 The cables that come out of the aluminium tube needs some cable protection tube, otherwhise the isolation will scrub off at the edge of the aluminium tube.

Arma 3 with the standard flight model is anything but a simulator. But still, awesome build! I wish I understood the circuit stuff, but even in engineering school, I couldn't get it. That's probably why I switched from mechanical engineering to structural engineering after my 1st year.

Do you have a parts layout, I cannot find what size m3 screws, and bolts, sizes and lengths anywhere thanks

how does the friction knob work? won't the screw come loose eventually?

If you talk with a rotary-wing pilot, depending on the flight frame you will find that the collective has some load/weight and a level of haptic feedback. It can feel heavy at times and also light. You might think about adding this using servo motors and enabling the use of force feedback, relatively simple. It depends on the speed of directional motion, crosswinds etc.... If you didn't want to use servos then I suspect you could use a spring mechanism that has a lag in the tension release. Liked your work very much. Have fun.

whooooo very cool !

im very impressed :)

Nice. Which joystick library do you use?

If you dont have the 3D printer, how much do you guys thinks would be reasonable price to pay to get them printed?

Also, what about using hall effect instead of the encoder?

2:54 "the Bourne Encoder" ! Guys I think he is giving us a hint about the name of his next movie!!

Great project - you make it look so easy. What SIM is this you're flying?

First of all, congratulations for the work done, really beautiful. I wanted to make your collective and I'm 3D printing the pieces, I have a stupid question to ask , (unfortunately I don't understand English), but what kind of paper is the white one you glue on the Friction_plate (see at 7:30 of the video) ? And then, How Imust use the GearArm piece? Thanks and ciao

well can i use this for controlling the drone but how to binding this to the drone controller?

awesome

Why use an Encoder and not just a Potentiometer for the AXIS though ?

Nice job, i am a beginner and would like to built the complete this project, where could I get the parts, software etc. thanks

I think an easier solution than a mechanically transmitted absolute encoder would be a VL6180X distance sensor measuring the arc distance. Might need something more powerful, like raspberry pico to smooth the results. Also: Raspberry pico allows programming joysticks with micropython...

What are yoy using for throttle?? Isn't that suppose to be part of the control?

You are à genius à magician great job i wish to know to do this with my own hand

Relly cool!!!

Talks about Flight sim, uses Arma to demonstrate LoL. But in all seriousness, I'm kind of jealous.

You just gave me an idea. Buy 2nd joystick, mount at 90 degree angle by your left hand, map controls. You then have a collective with neutral position built in, a twist throttle, and hotas built in. Two Logitech 3d pro's would do it for $100.00 or less. Love what you did but I don't have a 3d printer.

i was thinking about building somehting more usefull for helicopters too. but i was jsut thinking to do it on a easy way and only extend the shafts and cables of the joystick and the throttle... it should be easier and dont need any extra parts except a "stick" for both controllers, 4 connectors and a cableset... gonna see when i need a new controller to do it....

Would love to buy one

You are missing the twisting handle on the collective for the throttle function (that's why the bought collectives are more expensive too)

Do you have the plans for the base plate please?

Wow such a very professional job u have done with your collective home made, thinking of to build and sell ? In that case what price ? will be nice to fly with FS2020 really ! Greetings and congratulations from Sweden...

Matt: Look, There's the copilot collective while looking at the captains seat Matt: Sits in the left seat(Actual co-pilot seat) Me: Visible Confusion

Man this is incredible! Could I build one of these? I was a British military helicopter pilot but I was medically discharged after getting ptsd from Iraq and then really bad depression. I miss flying like a constant ache, it's like my whole idea of who I was is gone. I can't concentrate any more or learn new things very well so I worry that this may be beyond me but would you mind if I dm'd you a few questions please? Seeing you fling at the end has made me cry, I miss it so much and I think this might just be enough to help heal the scars a bit?

Very nice, it would of been perfect if you had a throttle added

good morning how are you, I hope well, my name is Francisco and I am from Gran Canaria, Spain, first of all thank you for putting this magnificent project in everyone's hands since it is not easy to achieve something like this .. I have been watching the video and I have seen that you have made the STL files available to everyone, but what I cannot find is the electronics, the connection diagram of the arduino and the MCP 23017i GPIO with its components. Where could I get the electronic connection scheme? And my other question is, do you have plans to improve the project? Thank you.

Does this joystick have throttle control?

How could I build your setup and purchase one of these please.

is there a way to buy 1 off you as i don't have 3d printer

This is...really well-made. But the real test comes when you fly the Huey in DCS. If you really like helicopters, I recommend you start flying in DCS, especially with the Huey.

how much does everything cost?

How much helicopter collective joystick control?

Could you export the files as STEP so they can be modified?

Hi which Helicopter Sim are you running?

Which simulator is shown in the demo? FSX?

Hello; What do you recommend for a 3d Printer that is not so expensive?

You should start a production line for this.i ll buy one

can you make a cessna 172 yoke for MSFS2020 ?

Virile makes this stuff but I like to see you diy it