The Captain Right Panel (I call it MIP-2) is the most complicated Main Instrument Panel section - a lot of steam gauges, indicators, encoders and switches - both tactile and specials. I had to use many hours (>100) just to draw the section (Corel and Diptrace) getting everything as correct as possible. All layers need to match 100% and I'm still in the finalizing phase.
I'm using four PCB's to cover all electronics. These boards are installed in equivalent pockets on the back side of the panel. Soldered and wired (four ribbon cables) to a "MIP-2 Collector board" and then to a MasterCard.

There are a few specials in this panel which I will be using in other areas as well

• Build in Brightness sensor - catching the light environment (more on that later)
• All Annunciators are implemented by using a Photo-Transistor capturing the Annunciator light from the gauge itself. To get a strong and well definded signal, I replaced (FS Panel Studio) all the text/graphics for each Annunciator with a clean and white bitmap. The “catched” signal is amplified and drives a couple of LED's. This relief us from the problem with some unsupported Annunciators in the Level-D SDK. At the same time this is a very easy and clean way of making the Annunciators. No interfacing / programming - just add a power source. I'm going to use this method several places. A nice thing is that the gauge doesn't need to be at the panel position - understand what I mean?
• Encoders - using heavily PC-mice mechanical encoders. These are small enough to get "in there".
• Switches integrated in the panel together with traces on the PCBs. The trickiest one will be the AutoBrake switch. Combining a Spring loaded switch and a Solenoid which "fires" in the right moment and bring the switch back to DISARM from AutoBrake positions and from RTO to OFF when Takeoff. If I get this one to work, I'll have a hell of a party!!