CREATE INSTRUMENT PANELS
There are a couple of ways to create instrument panels.
- You can create and animate the instruments in Blender.
(This is how I created the panels on the FM2.)
This requires you to import all the animations associated with the panel.
- You can create and animate the instrument panel in three.js.
This involves importing an image of the intrument panel onto a plane geometry.
You then add animated pointers on top of the panel.
For instruments which are embedded in the panel (like the attitude indicator), you can use a transparent panel and add the working parts in three.js.
You can also create an attach instruments (such as the compass) elsewhere in the cockpit.
- You can use a combination of the above.
The Standard Instruments

The basic flight instruments are (clockwise from upper left):
- Airspeed Indicator - shows indicated airspeed in knots
- Attitude Indicator - shows pitch and bank in degrees
- Altimeter - shows indicated altitude in feet
- Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) - supplements Altimeter by showing rate of climb
or descent
- Heading Indicator - shows heading in degrees
- Turn Coordinator - supplements Heading Indicator by showing standard rate
turn and turn quality.
Navigational instruments include
- Magnetic Compass - points to magnetic North
- GPS (Global Positioning System) - modern navigational aid
- VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) - points to radio aid
- Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) - points to radio aid
- Nondirectional Beacon (NDB) - points to radio beacon
- ILS (Instrument Landing System) - a landing aid that shows direction and altitude information
Other basic instruments include
- Fuel Gauge - shows remaining fuel in gallons
- Radios - used for communication with tower, enroute stations and other airplanes
- RPM Gauges - shows propeller RPM
- Manifold Pressure Gauge - shows engine manifold pressure
- Landing Gear Indicator - generally lights showing whether landing gear is extended
Examples