I do a lot of IFR proficiency training with a CFII who has an FAA-approved ATD simulator.  It's an Elite rig, and it includes a software/hardware module for a 430W as part of the avionics stack (see http://www.flyelite.com/shop/elite-ap-4000-garmin-gns-430-module/" rel="nofollow - here and http://www.flyelite.com/faa-approved/atd-upgrade/" rel="nofollow - here ).

This has been a helpful arrangement in ensuring I remain proficient in the "buttonology" of my avionics as well as the other skills required for IFR flying.

Any chance you're working with any simulator companies to get your IFDx40s integrated into their systems?

I've never made anything for MS flight sim, but I'd give it a try if Avidyne updated their sim to make it compatible.  Something cool, but not anticipating will ever make above the line.

Avidyne folks, surely this is a simple thing to achieve with a small mod to the Avidyne iPad app?  It would be immensely useful for training purposes.

* Orest

Having the IPAD APP link like foreflight would be AWESOME and add a much better level of realisim.

Pat .

I believe Apple has some restrictions on enabling this for an app.  Otherwise, all the IFD has to do is open a DGRAM socket to the IP of the device on port 4000 and send GDL90 protocol messages and FF will pcik them up.  There's a bit more secret-sauce required to make this work properly but it's not that hard.

EDIT:  I blame my head cold for getting this answer slightly sideways yesterday:

I think you wanted to know how to connect the iPad sim to x-plane.  Since I use x-plane I'd like this too.  If there is any wifi output from the sim I could not see it.  We'd likely need Avidyne to implement some common protocol.  NMEA 0183 would be ok for basic LNAV and x-plane already can read this protocol. Getting coupled approaches to work nicely, or GPSS course leading, might require actual ARINC 429 out that then must be transcoded into something x-plane can understand.

Neil

See: http://www.xsquawkbox.net/xpsdk/mediawiki/Category:XPLMNavigation

Imagine programming your iPad sim and having x-plane follow all the ARINC commands.  Cool...

Neil

415-408-1127

Wow! That would really be cool!

Would be great for familiarisation with the kit on the ground.

Avi-Steve (or Simpson)?  Can you ask what, if any, of the ARINC 429 OUT code is buried in the iPad Sim?  If it is there, and your sim engineer simply spits the sentences out as TCP/IP packets on a dedicated port, I can decode that on the plug-in side and deliver them to x-plane.

The other part of the puzzle is to tell the sim where x-plane is flying in some GPS location format.  That would require the port to listen for this - probably on 5HZ refresh - in some agreed upon format.

The last piece would be to add a switch in the app settings to enable this sim-port option.

If the ARINC code lives in the sim the OUT should be pretty simple.  Driving the sim from external GPS (and testing the feature) will be slightly harder.

OFFER:  I'm an app developer (iOS) as well.  NDA me to modify the sim code and I'll help on both ends to implement this. Another side-benefit is that it'll probably work with the IFR certified version of x-plane as well and might help transition/refresh pilots while actually letting them log the time with a CFI in the sim.

I could have used this the other day on my IPC.  I ended up with so many white lines on the screen from obsolete approach legs that I had trouble seeing the approach I was on...

It is a bit complicated to synchronize two SIMs to make sure both devices think they are at a given location. There has to be a way to tell both which one is the position source and both would have to understand each other's information being sent around.

 SMOP (Simple Matter Of Programming). :-)

How about data *input*?  It's already possible to get position information out of X-Plane via UDP, and some iPad programs (such as WingX) can use this to display ownship on a map.

Would it be possible to get GPS data off the network and into the IFD simulator?  I imagine that this is probably easier than setting up a new output.

The UK Software Skydemon is able to get the Signal from X-Plane.

If you start the infligt Modus you must select the Source, X-Plane or location service.

Roger wrote: ...Neat...it would also be awesome if my 550 could drive my DFC90 in case of a PFD failure...haha just write it on the list..thanks!

The STEC 55x can be wired to use either the "magenta line" feed from a GPS navigator, using its own GPSS circuitry OR using the output from an external GPSS unit or GPSS built into a PFD.

I would be surprised if the DFC-90 didn't have the same capability, given that it is a slide in replacement.

* Orest

Unfortunately it does not.  You can continue to use the autopilot with a PFD failure in the STEC 55x but you cannot with the DFC90.

That is too bad.

* Orest

I'm happy to actually help work with the sim developer if they'd like to try and support external location input from x-plane.  Since the auto-pilot mode in the sim must generate 3D location (lat,long,alt) that is where a hook would be added to optionally listen for on a port for that data instead.  It's likely already an optional code path since the sim auto-pilot mode is something that obviously does not exist in the main branch of the code for the IFD.

AVI folks - PM me if you'd like to discuss.  Making the sim work with x-plane would be a great learning aid.  

And, there are versions of x-plane that are FAA certified for IFR flight training.  hint hint...

On 10/14/19, Avidyne posted the following on the Facebook Avidyne’s Pilot Club forum the following:

Looking for a couple of people to test our solution with Xplane. Please email marketing@avidyne.com if you would like to beta test for us.

Any word on having it run with L-M P3D?

* Orest

+1, I hope Kelly is looking at more than just X-Plane.  Please, please include all the popular flight sims, FSX, P3D and X-Plane!

XPlane, by itself, is useful for practice but you can't log anything you do with it. 

None of this is to say that a non certified sim is better than a certified one with a CFI, but I don't have access to that (or IMC) nearby so this works for me.

Nerd question, Doog-- what kind of monster hardware are you running to drive that display?

I am newly IFR rated....Flying family to Disneyworld a week ago tonight from KY to Disney (KISM) was given the Leese2 arrival and then the DME Alpha approach.  That thing had a arc in it.  I DID NOT turn 10/twist 10/ on that approach.  I dialed it in...both the STAR and the approach and the trusty 550 and trusty DFC90 flew all that beautifully while I tended to other important high workload matters in the dark at 10:30pm.  Brilliant hardware and software...and if I could have a time to practice that approach again at home......or a sim to practice that before heading out on a trip like that across the country in the dark on a flight plan....would all work together in helping me be a safer pilot.  Who cares If I can't log it....(well actually I care) so long as I get really good practice and skills/confidence.  

When the controller issued the instructions I was confident and knew exactly what to do. This flight management system just makes it so intuitive and easy.  Thanks Avidyne....hopefully I will read a post soon that these navigators are integrated into a sim.  Ya'll don't miss much at avidyne....and this would be another gap to easily close and one I am looking forward to.  Keep putting out these great pruducts and I'll keep buying then!

It's a 4ghz i7 processor, 32gb ram, 1 tb SSD drive, GTX 1070 graphics card.  The main display is a 55 inch curved Samsung 4k HDTV and the panel is a 15.6 inch touch screen.  I also use a knobster to tune the GPS.  The flight hardware is precision flight controls Cirrus2 console but I just ordered the new Honeycomb Alpha yoke and am planning to switch out the PFC for the honeycomb and probably build a custom panel.  

https://flyelite.com/add-ons/" rel="nofollow - https://flyelite.com/add-ons/

It's too bad that the IFD devices aren't available, as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNDwHtkBD0Q" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNDwHtkBD0Q

Nothing more than what you see, but clearly it's being worked.

I'm super excited for this.  I am currently flying XPlane with the Reality XP Gtn 750/650.  Hitting the back button is getting old :)

I only hope we can run the IFD simulator on an Ipad instead of needing the physical GPS.

I had the Lonestar Commander unit shown in the video for my GNS430W, but sold it with the unit when I bought my IFDs. I got the Commander mostly to load waypoints at home due to the very time-consuming effort on those old devices. With the IFDs it is so quick and easy, that was not necessary. But mostly, I am no longer comfortable continually removing and reinserting the IFDs into the panel. The backplane jack pins are very sensitive to bending and constant in/out movement is just asking for trouble IMHO.

The video shows some rather fancy looking cabling in the background, and it would be of some academic interest to know details of the setup being shown. But for most of us, a more practical solution would be to have something like the Reality XP GTN for the IFDs. One of those on an x-plane touch screen with a knobster would be just the cat's meow.

One of the disadvantages of choosing a challenger like Avidyne is the limited installed base which results in less accompanying products, in this case simulator add-ons.

There is such a huge Garmin installed base that companies like RealSim gear and Reality XP develop sim products for almost everything Garmin produces, and yet don't even produce anything for the most basic and important Avidyne products like the IFD. It is a shame that Avidyne has no ability to influence or financially support such product development as it would really be attractive to customers.

There's something to be said for the old Avis commercial line "we're number two so we try harder".

Avidyne seems a lot more sensitive to customer concerns

Avidynes slide right into legacy Garmin trays, where Garmin elected to both sell you a newer unit and an unnecessary re-install placing dealers over customers.

Avidyne plays well with others...Garmin tries not to play at all

Any progress updates?

No, it's on the back burner.

All that said, I am enthusiastically optimistic about the recent posts, even if simmering in the background!