IFD540 integration into training simulators?

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.

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

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...

 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.

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

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...

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

* Orest

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

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