Right. See http://www.robotroom.com/DPDT-Bidirectional-Motor-Switch.html for how to put that together with the limit switches (scroll down to the last schematic). You would have your LEDs light up by connecting them to the normally open side of the limit switches.

Okay... that's perfect!  It's settled... no arduino. 

For a first post to the forums, you guys are great!  Thanks for the direction and information.

Of course, this year I also want to build a race computer with GPS, multiple video streams, and engine data overlays... so who knows what will happen with that.

It's powered by a Toyota Van wagon....

In this type of race, it's not the number of laps that make you win.  (although having a lot of laps does help).  There was no way to get the Toyota chassis, suspension, engine, and all that into the plane without gutting it. We have to put a roll cage in it too. (Safety 2nd!)

Adding a little bit of basics back to the plane for "showmanship" isn't the worst thing. We need lots of laps, and we'll have lots of fun too.

It's starting to seem like this isn't an Arduino setup.  Between some basic circuits, relays, and the existing switches / indicators, it can come back to life as long as i can get the motors I need.  I'll have to look around and see what's available.

Here's the build if anyone is interested... http://www.speedycop.com/spirit-of-lemons.html

All the existing wiring and motors were gutted in the name of making it lighter for the road race.  So now we are adding in the fun little stuff to show off.  I'm putting all the instrument panels (with factory gauges, switches, fake radio dials, and lighting).  The motors that used to drive the flaps are gone, but the cable pulleys are still there, so I can tie into those and maybe replace the steel cable if necessary.

I'm researching reversible 24v motors to see if it's feasible.  Since the flaps will operate in unison, I might be able to use a single motor.

I'm still trying to decide if i should use Arduino and relays to drive the motor and indicators or just go "old school".

So, I'd use those same switches as my cut-offs for the motor as well?  (Motor stops when flaps are up or down)

My race team and I are working on turning a Cessna 310 twin engine aircraft into a road race car. We've gutted the Cessna and shoved a Toyota Van wagon into it.  I'm working on getting the flight instrument panel to work with the ECM from the Toyota (tach / speed / temp), but that's not what I'm here for. On each side of the fuselage,  we have "winglets" that extend about 20 inches.  These winglets have the factory wing flaps attached.  We also have to put a small nose gear in so that if we brake hard, it stops the plane from flipping forward.

Functionally for the flap would follow like this:  Flap up indicator light is on.  Driver / Pilot / Racer pushes the existing flaps switch down.  Motor actuates the existing arm in the winglet and the flaps drop.  When the winglet flap starts to drop, a switch is released and the Flap up indicator turns off.  When the flap is all the way down, a switch is depressed and the flap down indicator is now lit.  Reverse it for bringing the flap up.

I've never used Arduino. Does this sound like something I should do with Arduino or have I turned into a nutter? Would Arduino just be overkill? I'm looking for guidance on the parts I would need, and eventually the programming.  I've done some programming (mainly modifying existing source code and recompiling), but nothing from scratch.

Thanks!