My Build Process

I wanted to create something I could put on my wall that would keep me feeling connected to aviation as I work and when there is times when I can't fly for some reason.

I had recently made a Live Sectional, internet-connected weather map, and I'd started to get better at hardware and so I thought this would make a fun first project that I designed and built from scratch (up until this project, I've either followed directions from hackaday or other places).

Now, of course I could just get a giant screen and put up a live ADS-B view, but specialized hardware as a kind of "installation art" seems more fun. I really do love my Live Sectional, and I thought this would be something neat like that.

I originally thought that I would use the data from my own ADS-B receiver to pick out who was in the traffic pattern at my local airport.

From Design to Prototype


I sketched out some layout ideas. I quickly realized it would be more interesting if it wasn't just the traffic pattern.

After sketching it out, I started breadboarding. This is the first time I've done this where I wasn't following someone else's directions! :)

I realized that it would be cool to use these larger OLEDs to show the runway number. After working on the software I thought it would be fun if I could choose the airport and runway.

Each pattern leg will have its own OLED that will display the N-number of the Airplane in that leg.

Of course, all of this is driven by a Raspberry Pi 3. You can see the OLEDs all go into a I2C multiplexer and then into the Raspberry Pi's GPIO.

I found a good font that works well with these OLEDs and feels "aviation-y" At the same time as I was figuring out the hardware, I was creating the software that would run this project.

The project felt like it needed a little more than just the pattern, so I got a little 7" HDMI screen and I thought it would be fun to have one of those old-style Departure/Arrival board that would show the last 5 arrivals and departures.

I found this nice wood frame with a blank piece of wood at Hobby Lobby that was the perfect size. I laid out the mockup of the traffic pattern and where the LCD screen would go.

Now that I had the circuit working and the basic software driving it, it was time to make it pretty. I thought I would use this board to lay out the OLEDs and make cut outs and mount it behind the wood.

You can see how bad I am at soldering! I had too long of wire runs and the OLEDs didn't get enough power. Bottom line, this approach failed. :(

Getting closer! I cut out a hole for the LCD screen and mounted it to the board, and then mocked up the traffic pattern. I thought it would look good at an angle.

Try #2 was using a solderable breadboard, and it worked! My soldering skills are still terrible though!

An upgrade to my soldering station, also improved my skills :) But seriously, this new iron helped a lot. Getting the right temperature and a better tip, and the connections got better!

Finally! I got all the OLEDs soldered up and working!

I used an Exacto knife to mark out where each OLED screen would go...

Then I used my Dremel to cut out the OLED places.

Next, I mounted the LCD screen, and hot-glued the OLEDs in place.

All of the OLEDs are in place.

It powered on, and worked!!

Looking good with the logo and the traffic pattern diagram stubbed in there. I'm going to use the Cricut to make it nicer looking. What I'd really like to get my hands on is a laser cutter!

After a month or so of running the software, I realized that it was running really hot, so I added a much better passive cooler and the "thermometer" went away.

Cricut logo looks so good!!

From Prototype to Version 1.0

Having proven the concept, I thought it would be cool to design and build my own custom printed circuit boards! I'm also going to see about using the Cricut to cut out basswood to make it look super professional.

I created my first PCB design (using easyeda.com and ordering from JLCPCB) and order 5 circuit boards! I can't wait to see how they turned out!

PCB approved and in production!! Can't wait!