I am making the Copilot stick removable. There are 11 wires in the Tosten CS8 grip. 3 are grounds and I spliced 2 into 1, then that one plus the 3rd ground into 1 ground lead. That reduced the wires to 9 and I am using a DB9 connection inside the stick to allow me to pull the stick apart and store it onboard when I fly some people who either don't want the stick in their way, or I don't want them to have a stick. Also, by removing it, you can work under the panel without a stick in your way. A spring loaded locking button snaps into position and holds the stick perfectly. You depress it and pull up on the stick to disengage it. The male DB9 has all of the framework ears cut off. Band saw plus scotchbright wheel did the job. You then solder the remaining metal halves back together to give substance to the DB9 connector. The middle picture below shows a trimmed and soldered DB9. This one fits entirely inside the removable stick. The femaile DB9 goes into a slightly larger stick base so you can leave a little of the ''ears'' on that one and no need to then solder it. Next is installing them with 5 minute epoxy.
All the tools of the trade to get this job done.
Male DB9 is trimmed, soldered and has some test pins in it for fitting.
Female DB9 has some of the ears remaining. It fits into base but not in removable stick.
