I'd love to build one of these with a few modern touches: maybe a VR headset or some kind of system that tells you where you are so you can do day flying.,(reply>), A modern version could easily be assembled using 'off the shelf' components. I'd use a series of servo and/or stepper motors for the motion system, a 'glass cockpit' navigation system (something like the Garmin system found on a lot of modern light aircraft - they may already have something tailored to suit), and a PC to drive the inputs and collect any data output. A VR headset defeats the original purpose of this kind of trainer - instrument (IFR) flying - but a series of flat screens could add VFR functionality. The main skills required would be to fabricate the enclosure, and to write the code that connects the various systems and makes it all work together.