iFly GPS Forum

Shane,

Now that we know iFly 720 works very well on X-Plane, how are you going to get the word out?

If I may suggest, put together and sell a SIM interface kit on the SHOP page. It would be a USB COM Port to USB iFly cable combo.

X-Plane works out of the box, however MS FSX does not have an out of the box NEMA solution.

Maybe your dev team could whip out FSX code and sell that as an FSX add-on from your SHOP page. If your developers rather not mess with it, I can give you the name of a third party developer that you could work with that probably has some code in his back pocket that he has used to make FSX to Google Earth interfaces. The problem is, he is a professional developer and there will be a cost associated with getting his code.

I really can't stress enough (being an Instrument Ground Instructor) the value of using SIM training. What a wonderful way to learn all of the functions of the iFly in a low stress (if you want it to be low stress, but it can be very stressful as well) low cost environment. It might even be good to come up with a scenario based training syllabus that you could sell.

I come at this from an Single Pilot IFR prospective using iFly to enhance situational awareness in IMC. It sure does reduce the workload. But like any tool you have to know how to use it properly.

I think this is a great opportunity for the home and light duty simulators. I've started working on the supplies and a more cleaner cable and connection.

My initial push for the Simulator functionality was more for the larger Sims like the "iFly Simulators and Redbird Simulators" that are used for school training and get a little more visibility. However, I have notice the X-Plane has the "Professional" version that is used by some schools and other facilities. That could very well be a great avenue as well.

I also have a version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, just need to check the version. We'll keep working on things and hopefully get something on the store soon.

That would make for a great PR. "Tether your iFly GPS with X-Plane Simulator for the ultimate simulated flight". Simulated flight on the FAA Sectionals, Plate and more. Practice an IFR Approach, right from the comfort of your home. Real time GPS functionality, complete with airspace alerts, terrain, and more. Get your connection kit at www.iFlyGPS.com.

What would be really awesome. X-Plane has simulated and real time weather too, correct. I know MS FlightSim does. It would be cool to utilize that weather on the iFly, though it may not be possible to pass that wx info. How cool of a demo would that be.

Walter is going to kill me for that! Well is been nice knowing you guys.

Tom, All

Here is my Win 7 X-Plane 10 setup.

This is the USB to RS-232 Converter that you can buy from the iFly shop.

It is an active device and come with drivers.

https://ifly.adventurepilot.com/shop-t136/usb-to-serial-cable.aspx

If you don't have the old 9 pin RS-232 jack on your computer you will need the following so that you can use a USB Port on the computer.

You will need a 9 pin Female-Female Null Modem adapter. (see photo)

And a short 9 pin male to USB extension cable. (Study the cable lengths to reach your computer and the iFly).

http://www.serialstuff.com/products/Windows-7-64%252dbit-Compatible-USB-to-Serial-Adapter-RS232-DB9-Short-8-Inch-Cable.html

When you plug in the ( iFly USB cable) to your computer make a note of which COMM Port is activated, you will need to know that when you configure X-Plane. In my case it was COMM3 as you will see in the photo.

Next, in X-Plane, you have to configure the NEMA Output.

Look under settings for the Joystick & Equipment then Equipment tab. (see photo)

Walter suggests a setting of 3 transmissions per second to replicate the on-board GPS update rate. In the photo my rate was set to 5. For me 5 was a little smoother, but start with 3 as suggested. 10 was too high, it made the iFly sluggish on button pushes, etc.

Walter also says to start X-Plane first, once it is up and producing NEMA stream, connect it to the USB port of the iFly.

Once you connect to the iFly in the nav mode, the map should change to the airport where you are in X-Plane, in some cases it has taken almost 2 minutes for the sync to happen, so be patient.

That's it.

It really works great.

Much Thanks to the iFly Dev Team!