Flying with the iPad Apps

[speedbird591]

I've put this in a separate post because the original one about the iPad apps is getting pleasantly silly and I didn't want to spoil it with proper stuff Anyway, there are pictures in this one!

I've just had what may be the most enjoyable flight I've ever had in FS I flew from FTX Stewart to FTX Bella Coola across the mountains and through the fjords of British Columbia. I planned it using Sky Vector on the iPad and flew it using my new Remote Flight map and panel apps. They worked perfectly, linked to P3D via my home wifi, and let me concentrate on enjoying the view. They were incredibly easy to set up and were smooth and reliable, just the way i hoped they were. The scenery was amazing (FTX Pacific Fjords) and the approach and landing into a wintry Bella Coola was superb. I'm feeling very satisfied with my FS setup at the moment

Here's the iPad in action showing the panel and map apps. All the apps stay open and you can toggle them by swiping across the screen with four fingers.




Descending through the fjords towards Bella Coola




Snow and ice on the runway make stopping difficult. There's also snow on the taxiways, buildings and some vehicles for extra effect.




Sorry about the Cessna - it was the safest aircraft to use for a trial flight

Ian

[Garry Russell]

I've put this in a separate post because the original one about the iPad apps is getting pleasantly silly and I didn't want to spoil it with proper stuff

[Paul K]

Ian, I was going to post something tonight about whether you had started using these apps.

Well, I think that really is an excellent set up you have there. Being able to transfer so much onto the Ipad must help a great deal when flying on a laptop, with its relatively smaller screen. A nice compact uncluttered cockpit, and the Logitech Extreme 3D is all you need too. ( I have one of those sticks, but FSUIPC assignments don't seem to agree with it, so it resides in the loft. Excellent stick though. )

When you use the Ipad to alter radio frequencies, is there any delay with them changing in the VC in P3D, or is it pretty much simultaneous ?

[speedbird591]

Hi Paul. Yes I like the simplicity of the setup. I'm not short of space but I like the neatness of having everything in one (or two) tidy boxes. The laptop has a 17.3in screen so it's bigger than a standard notebook.

I haven't tuned the radios yet as there were no navaids on that route, but I did use the autopilot and any changes I made on that were instantaneous, e.g. Altitude, vertical speed and heading adjustment. You can adjust the update frequency in the settings to cope with a slow wifi network. The options for the panel are 0.3 secs to 2 secs. I have BT infinity so used 0.3.

Ian

[Paul K]

Ian, is it possible to use an ethernet cable to connect up the Ipad, or is purely wireless ?

[speedbird591]

No, Paul, wifi only.

The iPad is very slim - I've just checked mine against an Ethernet cable and it's the same thickness as the plug!

The only connector is a slim proprietary one with a USB on the other end for charging and connecting to a PC.

Ian

[Paul K]

No, Paul, wifi only.

The iPad is very slim - I've just checked mine against an Ethernet cable and it's the same thickness as the plug!

The only connector is a slim proprietary one with a USB on the other end for charging and connecting to a PC.

Ian

Why do you have the ability to connect an Ipad to a PC ? I don't understand.

[Brian Franklin]

No, Paul, wifi only.

The iPad is very slim - I've just checked mine against an Ethernet cable and it's the same thickness as the plug!

The only connector is a slim proprietary one with a USB on the other end for charging and connecting to a PC.

Ian

Why do you have the ability to connect an Ipad to a PC ? I don't understand.

Or a Mac?

[TSR2]

Clever as it is, its not much different than using the default Cessna panel for all your aircraft. Horses for courses I guess but looks a bit like flying in arcade mode.

[speedbird591]

Why do you have the ability to connect an Ipad to a PC ? I don't understand.

To connect to iTunes software. The iTunes software is the main interface for synchronising the data you load onto your iPad. If Apple had it's own way you'd only be able to connect it to a Mac but they've very generously made a version available for Windows

You can select folders on your PC with which your iPad will synchronise. For instance, certain photo albums, books, documents and music albums. Plug in the iPad and click Sync and it will add or delete files so that it matches the folders on your PC. You can also organise your apps and check for OS updates.

It's such crap software I rarely use it. Once you've got your main stuff loaded it's easier to add individual files via Dropbox.

Ian