Altimeter

Physical Altimeter for the Cessna 172SP Six-Pack panel — bezel, pointer mechanism, Kollsman window, and X-Plane dataref mapping.

4 min read Updated 2026-06
Cessna 172SP

Overview

The Altimeter sits top-right in the six-pack "T" arrangement, showing pressure altitude via one or more pointers against a 1,000 ft graduated dial, with a Kollsman window for barometric pressure setting.

Construction

Like the other six-pack instruments, this gauge is built as a self-contained module:

  • Bezel / Face Plate — 3D-printed bezel with a printed altitude scale dial face
  • Dial / Needle — one or more pointers (hundreds/thousands) sweeping the dial
  • Internal Mechanics — stepper motor(s) driving the pointer(s); the Kollsman window setting knob is mechanical only, with no dataref feedback required for v1
  • Back Housing — 3D-printed enclosure mounting to the MIP frame's instrument cutout
  • PCB & Controller — ESP32 driving the stepper(s) from the X-Plane altitude dataref
  • Lighting — backlighting for night/IFR panel illumination

X-Plane Integration

sim/cockpit2/gauges/indicators/altitude_ft_pilot

Status

Planning — design not yet started.

Attitude Indicator
Turn Coordinator