Best practices for Cpt/FO tablets?

[Flying_Fox]

Hi Everybody,

I would like to discuss the best practices for Captain and FO tablets.  I don't have one yet in my sim.

What tablet type? (Windows/Android/IPad)? Maybe as external monitor for other PC?

What size (8/9/10-inch)? I guess the bigger - the better, unless it blocks the side window

What applications you use on them?

Etc.

Thanks,
Nick

[RayS]

I've used several apps on my iPad (Regular size) while flying but my go-to app now is Foreflight.

My sim is based on X-Plane and Foreflight reads data coming from X-Plane so I can geo-locate, follow a flight plan, even taxi around airports without getting lost. I'm not sure if Foreflight has the same functionality with FSX/P3D.

Foreflight is expensive, with an annual renewal fee, but it's light years ahead of anything else out there.

As to the size of a tablet I think really boils down to personal preference.

[KyleH]

I hate, hate, hate, hate Apple.

Just ask the other's from WorldFlight.....

Haaaaaate Apple.


For flying, I use ForeFlight......on an iPad.....













And yes it connects to FSX/FS9 with this program: http://www.flightsimgps.com/

[RayS]

(I forgot to mention... Kyle hates Apple.) 

[Sam Llorca]

I hate Apple too but sometimes is the best tool in the cockpit, I use FS Kneeboard 2, Vatmap, RF comm, and when flying in the states the best is Foreflight, now you can download FlightSimGPS on your main FS computer to see your position on ForeFlight from any flight Simulator, it even have runway incursion warnings, first make sure you are signed into the local network and add the FlightSimGPS device on the IPad.

Just kidding guys, Apple is good!

[blueskydriver]

Hey Guys

I wanted to comment about this topic in between sleeping, as I stayed up way too late last night/this morning, so here it goes.

Kyle why do you hate Apple and what happened at WF that made your disgust for Apple worse? What were you guys using during the event that caused the problems?

About Foreflight, it is costly, but as some people say, it's worth it... However, I do not use it, but I am curious does it work with Navigraph?

Nick, what I use, is the following:

An Ipad 1 (yes, 1) with 16MB of ram. I have it in the cockpit on the Capt side window frame where the clip board would be, and the Ipad is kept inside a black leather holder/protector that is attached to the frame using velcro. I never take ths Ipad out of the cockpit. Now, this Ipad has a program called Air Display (purchased) and it does nothing more then make the Ipad an extension of a W7 PC (PC8) that has my ProSim737 main program and Overhead Program Screen Display and Project Magenta PM Systems program with PM Overhead Program Screen Display.

So, with the above, I also use Avilosoft Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), which is an awesome program. Using Avilosoft, it has two parts, if you're doing it across the network; part 1 is the server portion that you set up on the FSX/P3D PC, and the other part is the client that is located on PC8. You could just install the entire program only on the FSX/P3D PC, but if you want to use Air Display to make the IPad work as the EFB, that means you now have Avilosoft full install and the Air Display running on your FSX/P3D, taxing it's resources/slowing the simulation. Of course that would be useless like that.

Anyway, let's recap; FSX/P3D PC has the usual simulator program(s) and the Avilosoft Server Portion, and your other PC (like my PC8) has the Air display (server portion) and Avilosoft client (plus whatever else you're using the computer in your simulator system. On the Ipad, you have the Air Display (client portion) and any other program apps you like too use for your sim.

Why do it this way? Well, Avilosoft works in concert with HiFI Simulations Active Sky Weather (whatever version), Navigraph updates, TopCat, PFPX, VatSim & IVAO online (shows traffic positions and connected ATC's), and it has so many other features that it really puts ForeFlight at a disadvantage. With the Ipad in the cockpit, you're reading the Avilosoft EFB live and it has real time flight following; additionally, you can use your Ipad for whatever else like getting charts from AirNav, reading your favorite website like Cockpit Builders, watching a movie during the long haul cruise phase, sending emails, doing Skype, or even using it as an Instructor Station if you like. As for the FO, it's the exact same thing, but just another Ipad and that's it.

I use an Ipad Air 2 for the FO side when I have a FO, but usually it's just my house ghost sitting there and it cannot press the Ipad screen hard enough to make selections; albeit, it does leave ghostly finger imprints or those could be from Karen Hi-Jacking my Ipad sometimes without me knowing it...lol.

Finally, all that I described has been setup for a few years now, and I would not change a thing. In fact, I only wish it was all available much sooner in my simulator history. I recommend you do the same using Ipads. Could you use other tablets? Yes, assuming Air Display supports them, because it is Air Display that makes the connections possible... Oh, if you do not have a router with wireless on it, you will need one with wireless service for the Ipad or other tablet for your connections.

Wait, wait, I almost forgot, with the Ipad you could also install tightVNC Moocha and use it to tightVNC with all your other computers in your simulator system (as long as they too have tightVNC with the latest version). Can you see all the things you can do? Here is one example, you need to restart a computer outside of the cockpit...you just use tightVNC from your cockpit seat and you're done, or how about setting up a button/switch inside FSUIPC? No need to get out of the cockpit for that either, just use tightVNC to connect to your FSX/P3D and pull up FSUIPC on the Ipad screen, so yeah! It makes everything much, much easier...

John

[Sam Llorca]

Couldn't say it better! I have to totally agree with John, come on guys, we need to know why Kyle hates Apple.

[Flying_Fox]

Great write-up, John, thank you!

So, as I understand you a using IPad (besides other functions like reading Cockpitbuilders, etc ) just as external display for your EFB software  that really is installed on other Windows PCs, correct?
Are your PFPX and TopCat also installed on PC8, while you entering flight parameters (weights, etc.) for them through IPad display? And your PC8 connected to main FSX/P3D with WideClient?

I was thinking of getting Windows tablet, so all this stuff could be installed right on tablet.

Yes, I use TeamViewer and Input Director  to operate my 3 avionics laptops.

BTW, what is the name of that program that tells you taxiing hints and things like "2000 feet of runway remaining"?

Thanks,
Nick

[blueskydriver]

Great write-up, John, thank you!

---Thanks Nick, I am happy to help...

So, as I understand you a using IPad (besides other functions like reading Cockpitbuilders, etc ) just as external display for your EFB software  that really is installed on other Windows PCs, correct?

---Yes, that is correct, the Ipad is an extension of PC8

Are your PFPX and TopCat also installed on PC8, while you entering flight parameters (weights, etc.) for them through IPad display?

---My PFPX, Topcat, Actve Sky 2012, Xpax, UT2 are all on another networked PC, PC44. So, when I do the flight planning outside the cockpit, I sit at PC44 and load Actuve Sky, Xpax and UT2 for airport sounds only, then run PFPX and Topcat, sending the data to all the other networked computers that use the data, and then printout my dispatch paperwork. Once in the cockpit, if I need too look at anything on PC44 again, I can do it via the Ipad tightVNC or a laptop.

And your PC8 connected to main FSX/P3D with WideClient?

---Yes, if you mean WideFS. All my PC's run WideFS to communicate back to the FSUIPC on the FSX/P3D PC9.

I was thinking of getting Windows tablet, so all this stuff could be installed right on tablet.

---Okay, if you get a tablet, it must have the processor power, RAM and video capabilty to handle it all, as well as, be simple to use. The Ipad is very simple...

Yes, I use TeamViewer and Input Director  to operate my 3 avionics laptops.

---Team Viewer is fine, but I like tightVNC because I can access my computers from anywhere in the world, since I have a static IP address from my ISP company.

BTW, what is the name of that program that tells you taxiing hints and things like "2000 feet of runway remaining"?

---Okay, I have that program installed, I just cannot recall the name, but I will get it for you shortly...

Thanks,
Nick

You're very welcome,

John

[blueskydriver]

Nick,

It is called RAAS by FS2Crew, look here:

http://www.fs2crew.com/cart/products/FS2Crew%3A-RAAS-Professional.html

John

[Flying_Fox]

Nick,

It is called RAAS by FS2Crew, look here:

http://www.fs2crew.com/cart/products/FS2Crew%3A-RAAS-Professional.html

John

Thanks John and guys!

I see Air Display also has version for Windows, so I think I will get Windows tablet, so I could load those programs either on tablet itself and/or on my other avionics laptops.

I also had an idea to use touchscreen USB monitor as Captain tablet, however it turned out they typically are bigger and more expensive than average 10.1" tablet.

Nick