Deck53 | Nate Power

In-Progress

You're Doing What?

Yes, we're building a flight simulator. Like, a full-on flight deck, in our house. We're calling it Deck53. Why? Who are we, anyway?

First of all, hey! I'm Nate - YouTube creator with over 15,000 subscribers and millions of views. In my day job, I'm also a guy who works in aviation - and if there's one thing to know, it's that I love flight. Thanks to that passion, I've spent countless hours flying on flight simulators. Longer than I'd like to admit. But, what if you could take your flight simulator to the next level? After years of a joystick and a few monitors on a desk, we're on a mission to take flight simulation to a new level – all while not breaking the bank. The name honours 53° North, where the simulator is being built. Once it's up and running, our goal is simple - produce incredible content featuring Deck53, from livestreams to tutorials featuring real-world experts.

... what could go wrong?

The Plan

This will happen in a few stages, starting with the main panel itself. That's to say, the piece you (the viewer) will see. It will consist of a 3D-printed main panel with hand-painted details, on top of an MDF (plywood) base keeping things stable. Behind that will be where the details are hidden: monitors for screens, wiring (and lots of it), and the main computer actually powering this monster.

Once that's built (and that will take a bit), then the side-work starts. That's the side walls that stretch from the front of the cockpit out and past the joysticks, the actual "windows" out into the "sky" and things like seats and other aesthetic details, which we'll share more on as we get deeper into this.

Hardware & Parts

Acquired

WINWING Airbus MCDU (L/R)
WINWING Airbus EFIS Main
WINWING Airbus Landing Gear Lever
WINWING Airbus Center Clock
WINWING Airbus Autobrake/Brake/Antiskid Fan
Thrustmaster Airbus TCA Sidestick (R)
WINWING Airbus Sidestick (L/R)
WINWING Airbus Throttle
WINWING Airbus Flaps & Spoiler Levers
WINWING Airbus EFIS (L/R)

On Order

N/A

Planned

WINWING/Brand TBD Airbus ECAM
Overhead Panel (Brand TBD)
Tiller (Brand TBD, L/R)
Radios (Brand TBD)
Monitors (L/C/R MIPs)
Monitors/TVs ("Windows")
Receipt "ACARS" Printer

Cost Snapshot

So Far ~$1,600

On Order $0

Budget Estimate ~4,000

Roadmap

October 2025

Early Planning

Finalizing the very basic designs, deciding on which materials should be used for what parts, as well as measurements and blueprints.
Now

Base & Frame Build

This consists of two parts, and it's the two biggest parts (literally) – building the actual base out of wood, and the 3D-printed parts that will go over the top of the main frame to make this look like a flight deck, not just a nicely arranged pile of lumber.
Now

Electronic Sourcing

We already have some parts, like an MCDU, EFIS panel and a joystick. But we'll need more. This will be the most expensive part of the project (at least, for now) but it will be required if we really want a full simulator... Is now a good time to put up a donation link?
Late 2025

Assembly

Assuming we have parts in-hand in time for this – at least enough to build up most of this – we'll complete the actual assembly of the frame, panels and electronics we have. If we're missing a few parts, that's okay – we plan to make panels to cover over places we'll eventually have actual electronic parts. Seating is one thing we're still trying to figure out how to get.
Early 2026

Lighting & Handmade Electronic Additions

If (and that's a big "if") we deem it something we can make happen, there is a potential to retrofit the deck to add things like functional lighting switches and knobs, as well as small details that aren't key to the functionality of the actual simulator.
TBD

Sharing the Designs

Making this is going to be a wild time – but once we have it done, we're looking forward to sharing how we did it all, blueprints and measurements, as well as the cost breakdown. That way, anyone can follow our lead and build a simulator of their own!

Updates

November 18, 2025

First 3D Prints Completed

After a decent amount of testing, making sure we could find the proper temperatures, filaments and so on, we were finally able to begin printing panels for the main instrument section of the deck!

December 11, 2025

WINWING Parts Acquired, Building Starting

This is a big milestone, with the last of our orders from WINWING arriving. This covers a lot of ground for us, including both sidesticks, a lot of the pedestal (though we're waiting for more items like a radio and transponder stack from them to release as well, hopefully soon.) On top of that, the woodwork has begun with the initial cuts for things like support structure and main instrument panels being all done. There's plenty left to do, including supports and actual detailing before applying the 3D-printed items on top, but that's for later.

Our Friends

We're extremely grateful for those who have helped with everything from something as small as a checklist to actual cold, hard cash! Make sure to visit them and tell them Nate and Deck53 say thanks!