If you’re in interested in a small and portable flight simulator setup, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re limited on space or need the flexibility to move your simulator around, this post will show you how I created a compact and efficient flight sim setup.

Next Level Racing, a company well known for making racing and flight simulator cockpits, launched the Flight Simulator Lite in April 2021 to cater to flight simmers. I was fortunate enough to review this chair for my YouTube channel and made some customizations to transform it into a fully functional portable flight simulator.

   Easy Assembly   

Assembling the chair was simple and straightforward. The package included clear instructions and all necessary screws, bolts, and nuts compatible with most major flight sim hardware. No extra tools were needed, and the entire assembly process took about 30 minutes.

   Basic Setup   

If you prefer a simple setup with just a yoke, throttle, and rudder pedals, this chair is perfect. One of its best features is that it folds down completely with the hardware still attached, making it easy to store and transport.

To enhance the portability while adding more functionality, I customized the chair by adding an instrument panel.

Here’s how I did it:

– Material: I used foam board for the panel because it’s cheap and super easy to work with.

– Cutting the Board: Measured and cut the foam board using a box cutter. I cut out sections for two tablets, a radio stack, a switch panel, and an encoder panel from Propwash Simulation, which includes flaps, landing gear, and elevator trim functions.

– Mounting Tablets: Draw an outline of the tablets, then cut out sections of the foam without going all the way through. Use a rotary tool to smooth the cuts.

– Mounting the Yoke: The chair comes with plates that can be positioned in various spots. I placed one in the middle to mount the yoke, leaving a small empty space at the front. I added two pieces of foam to the back of the panel to fit it snugly in that space and screwed it down with the provided screws.

– Cable Management: Attach powered USB hubs to the back of the panel to keep wires hidden and cable management simple.

   Painting and Finishing  

After assembling the panel, I painted it for a polished look.

The customizations I added prevents the chair from folding down completely, but it’s still lightweight and easy to slide around. I can move it to any spot in my home, plug in the cables to the computer, and start flying!

For additional functionality, I made a small table to hold monitors and other accessories.

Here’s my simple and inexpensive solution:

Materials: Use 1” PVC pipes and a piece of plywood.

Cost: The total cost is under $40.

Assembly: I cut the PVC pipes to the desired height and assembled them into a frame. Attached the plywood on top to create a sturdy table.

This table can be placed in front of the desk or TV, making it easy to set up the portable flight simulator in any room.

Final Thoughts

The Flight Simulator Lite by Next Level Racing is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a portable flight simulator setup.

By adding an instrument panel and making a few customizations, you can create an immersive and functional cockpit that’s easy to move and store. Whether you’re using it in front of your desk, in the living room, or in your bedroom, this setup offers great flexibility and convenience.