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1/29/2014 7:46 PM
 
Is there a way I hook the ifly 700 to a flight simulator like X-Plane or MSFS? I know there is a usb cable and I'm wondering if there is a way to do this? Are there any APIs available?
 
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2/5/2014 8:12 AM
 
Al,

I used GPSout (for MSFS) from this web site:

http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

I had no issue connecting MSFS9 to the iFly 720. The utility will allow the PC to generate NMEA output to a COM port which the iFly can then use to place your aircraft in the right place, altitude and speed.

However, that is not to say that it takes a little experimentation to make it work. It's been a while so I don't remember the details but in a nutshell:

1.- Installing the utility is easy but determining the right NMEA protocol took some experimenting. If you are really, really, really interested I can dig the GPSout configuration file out of my computer and post the parameters here.

2.- A serial connection is needed on the PC. Since you have to use the iFly serial to USB converter, you need to be able to connect to a serial (COM) port.

3.- The iFly needs to be configured to use the NMEA input instead of the internal GPS. This is not hard to do but I did have issues when going back to internal GPS.

The whole setup works great and it was an excellent training aid to get used to the iFly but..... I had a couple of instances where the unit wouldn't go back to internal GPS mode gracefully. In fact one time the unit would not boot no matter what I tried to do. I fixed it by removing the SD card and manually modifying the iFly config file to read the correct COM port (or something like that). Then it started OK. I also had issues with the iFly talking to my AP in the plane until it got rebooted a couple of times. So at this point I just don't do it anymore but I sure wish it could be done in a more seamless manner because I do like practicing gin my sim.

Chris
 
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