I’ve been searching for forever for a simple way to create a collective (at least ergonomically, since I fly exclusively in VR) for helicopters. The YouTube search algorithms have always brought up these complicated DIY efforts that required a 3D printer, machine shop, CAD software, electronics degree … blah blah blah. Until the other day.
This is the result. It has been the cheapest, least destructive mod I think I’ve ever done (and through the years, I’ve done many).
I used an old throttle quadrant and its mounting bracket, a piece of PVC pipe (mounted on chair by way of the bolts that secure the seat), an L-shaped metal bracket (to attach it to the PVC pipe mount), a wooden dowel (fits perfectly between the levers, for the simple collective handle) and a few bolts and washers.
The only thing I did to the quadrant was to drill a couple of holes to mount handle. Nothing serious.
Works like a charm, and all the buttons are convenient for starter switch, etc.
It takes up little space and doesn’t prevent use of the chair for everyday computer chores. I don’t know what took me so long to figure it hit on this. (May the great god McGuyver forgive me.)
I tried a comparable construction but the “lever” I used dragged the Quadrant lever downwards at times because of its own weight. You don’t have this issue?
Not yet. I think putting the one screw on the lever next to it seems to put enough pressure to keep it stable. If it doesn’t, then I’m gonna screw this adjustable thing I put put together on the underside as a way to put some drag on the lever.
Great job!
I don’t know if you’ve seen this video, but this guy did something very similar to your setup and also added a throttle!
Yes, I did see it. In fact, it was the one that gave me the idea. I like the idea of using a minibike throttle. Thanks for the response.
OK, this is final design. Once I put the grip on it (handlebar grip I picked up for $7 at Walmart and fit perfect on the 7/8-inch dowel), it did seem a little heavy and tended to drop. Tried a couple of ideas - rubber gasket material along lever, the screw deal in pic posted above, even a glob of hot glue on bottom of collective handle - but they just didn’t work. Against my need to simplify anyway. So, figured I’d put attach handle and deal with it later. Lo and behold, by tightening the screw on lever next to one I attached handle, it acted like a perfect brake, keeping the collective just tight enough.
So, am off to fly.
P.S. The grip goes on and comes off easily if you put a little dish soap on it first.
Cheers
I recently bought an expensive Virpil collective, and even that one has trouble balancing friction with smooth movement, at least when you attach a grip. So I think your solution looks really good 
Thanks. I generally don’t bother duplicating stuff- switches, throttles, etc. - that I don’t manipulate in the air. The designers did such a great job creating the cockpit, so I prefer to use those. It would be nice to have the throttle built into my collective, but I can manipulate it just fine with mouse or a slider on my stick, then forget it.
Having the ergonomic feel of the collective is what I was after, and this setup gives me that.
Oh, I don’t think you did. I came very very close to getting one. And if I could have ordered one through Amazon and gotten it the next day, I probably would have succumbed. It’s funny how things I would have killed to have when I was younger, I now talk myself out of even though I’m in a position (retired, widowed, kids grown) to indulge my hobby as I wish. If you want, I’ll trade you … LOL.
Here is the simple, cheap, secure way I mounted the quadrant to the chair, just in case anyone is interested in doing this. No muss, no fuss …
The PVC pipe is mounted on the chair using the bolts that also hold the chair arms on. You can see those at the far end of the pipe. I drilled the small hole for the bolt, then the larger hole so the head of the bolts would fit snuggly against chair.
The shiny L-shaped bracket is mounted using the quadrant’s mounting bracket and large washers and a nut and bolt…
The L-bracket is then mounted to the PVC pipe using nuts, bolts and washers.
That’s it.
This simple method hit me after trying to build some elaborate mounting out of wood.
OK, this is probably getting old, so I’ll move on now.
Question: Is the quadrant still connected to the yoke, or did you build an interface for it? I’ve just bought a quadrant by itself, having sold my old one, but forgot that it has only a PS2 type connector. I now need to find a way to connect it, and I’m looking at a Leo Bodnar board as probably the simplest way to do this, but I’m open to suggestions
I just love this kind of solutions 
You must have the quadrant that goes with the older yoke as a unit.
My quadrant is the Logitech G Saitek PRO Flight Throttle
which doesn’t have to be connected to the yoke.
Just as well I didn’t pay very much for it then ;^)
This is good. Very creative and cheap. I’m on Xbox so it won’t work for me because the flight controls you use are not compatible with Xbox. However I have a cheap thrustmaster hotas stick and throttle and I have a setup that works for me. Check it out. The collective is (so far) just the thottle unit mounted sideways on the chair with Velcro strips to keep it from falling under it’s own weight. (See pictures.