TouchTrainer, X-Plane, Foreflight and PilotEdge

[bplummer123]

I wanted to share with you enthusiasts my happiness in using my fairly new flight sim solution, TouchTrainer by FlyThisSim with PilotEdge. I'm a grounded real-world pilot (medical) and wanted a sim solution that had embedded Perspective avionics for a Cirrus SR-22. Having already used SimAvio's software solution with X-Plane, I found the mouse-based interactions clumsy and the need for hardware expertise (unlike many of you) daunting.

Enter TouchTrainer (from the same folks that built SimAvio products). X-Plane interfaces for Foreflight and PilotEdge are built into the sim and everything works incredibly well. I added the VISX three-panel visual system so that both VFR and IFR flying are quite realistic. As a former user of the Elite BATD which had dedicated hardware for avionics, switches and radios, the TouchTrainer offers complete independence, instead using touch panels for interaction with the advanced avionics, which are software (rather than hardware) based.

Now, ALL new features from Foreflight, X-Plane, PilotEdge and TouchTrainer are a software download away. As new panels / models are available from TouchTrainer, I can upload them and go straight into training mode. (G1000, G500/600, GNS 430W/530W, Avidyne V7/8, Aspen, Perspective, STEC 55X, DFC 90, KAP 150, KFC 200, KFC 255 are all available, with more coming each quarter - does your sim offer these??) As Foreflight adds features (Hazard Advisor, Search and Rescue, Flight recording bread crumbs, for example), I can do a few flights focusing on learning the new features / functionality. I'm waiting for XAvion to be re-introduced for the Ipad and look forward to working with PilotEdge controllers while emulating engine failures and gliding to emergency on (or off) airport landings. To learn what I am safely experiencing on the ground would cost a fortune in the air - not so much while in my family room.

In short, if you are willing to invest in an FAA-approved sim, are interested in all the latest advanced aircraft avionics on entire fleets of general aviation aircraft and want "real-world" training, complete with ATC involvement, team up TouchTrainer, Foreflight and PilotEdge for the greatest on-the-ground training possible. With X-Plane at it's core, amazing and satisfying simulation is not only possible, it (for me) takes the place of being in the air with the hobbs meter running and the instructor billing you for the learning experience.

Safe flights! Direct any questions you might have to this thread or email me at bplummer123@gmail.com. Forgive me if I have stepped on forum protocol, as I am new to this. Flames are equally welcome, but I thought there may be a few of you out there that long for more in your GA simming. The FAA's only touch-screen approved simulator combined with PilotEdge (built in to the product), fully log-able for currency experience and completely software upgradable avionics is a winning ticket for me. When I do get back in the air, I KNOW that my instructors will be blown away with my skill level, even in models I haven't flown before. And no, I have no association with the folks from TouchTrainer or PilotEdge - just a delighted customer.

Take care and safe flights!

Bob

[JustinWheat]

Great post! Thinking about that setup myself. Could you please explain the specs of the pc if you can? How are your frame rates?

[Keith Smith]

I don't mind at all. We standardized on the TouchTrainer when we devised the IFR Bootcamp ( http://ifrbootcamp.com). More information about the TouchTrainer can be found here: http://www.flythissim.com

The only thing we added to the configuration was a Garmin 430 head unit (you can use the one from PFC or Elite) so that customers could use hardware to change the frequencies. It takes a while to get used to the FTS system and with Bootcamp, we needed them up and running immediately for the one-day training courses, so we opted to use hardware for that portion. Otherwise, the touchscreen works great for the other features.

I'm actually heading to California at the end of the month to shoot some video with FTS, showing how to use PilotEdge with the TouchTrainer to elevate the training experience as much as possible. It is a great platform.

[Vincent Meier]

I don't mind at all. We standardized on the TouchTrainer when we devised the IFR Bootcamp ( http://ifrbootcamp.com). More information about the TouchTrainer can be found here: http://www.flythissim.com

The only thing we added to the configuration was a Garmin 430 head unit (you can use the one from PFC or Elite) so that customers could use hardware to change the frequencies. It takes a while to get used to the FTS system and with Bootcamp, we needed them up and running immediately for the one-day training courses, so we opted to use hardware for that portion. Otherwise, the touchscreen works great for the other features.

I'm actually heading to California at the end of the month to shoot some video with FTS, showing how to use PilotEdge with the TouchTrainer to elevate the training experience as much as possible. It is a great platform.

Keith,
You tell Eric/Carl and Michael a big hello from me!!
Sadly, this is the last month that I will be with them as level 1 support for SimAVIO. Michael(who is located right there) will be taking over on Oct. 1. It makes more sense than to have an old guy in Canada look after things!
It was a good run and I learnt a ton about the software.

[JustinWheat]

Quick question regarding the touch trainer. Keith, when are the videos going to be published with you and the touch trainers in action? Really looking forward to it if they are. Would this happen to be in connection with the new VFR training scenarios? The touch trainers look awesome now the question is are they worth the $$$$$ ????

[Keith Smith]

I was there last week, they're in the process of editing the videos now. I actually flew the I-10 (which is missing a cockpit video) while I was there and it got filmed. I'm hoping to use that for the official cockpit video for that rating once they make it available to me.

It's a turn key FAA-approved BATD. By definition it's going to cost more than the sum of the components. If you're handy with PC's, you could build something fairly close using their SimAVIO product (although they do take the flight modeling of their planes to another level for the TouchTrainer-specific version). The buyers of touchtrainers are generally not interested in building a sim from scratch, though, they want to buy a black box that works when you switch it on...and the TT does that very well.

If I was running a commercial facility, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. For home use, it depends on your willingness to build versus buy. Their support is incredible, by the way.

[JustinWheat]

You said they take the flight models to a different level with the touch trainer; how is that? Are they different than the ones with the regular SimAvio2 packages?

[Keith Smith]

Justin,

I was told the flight models receive some extra honing for the TouchTrainer versions, probably for certification purposes.

[SoCal_Pilot]

I just got started using the (non-certified) SimAVIO product from FlyThisSim. This is the "home" version of the Touch Trainer, and I cannot say enough about the positive experience that I've had so far.

I run SimAVIO and X-Plane 10 on an old Shuttle XPC (i5-3.1GHz/12GB RAM/NVidia GTX 980 w/4GB RAM) that is connected to a 23-inch Acer touch screen. I find that the touch screen makes a huge difference to my ability to interact with the instruments and to fly with as much realism as I can get with a home setup.

FTS' support is amazing - very friendly, helpful and spot-on.

Plus it doesn't cost a whole lot - About US$ 80 for SimAVIO base and the C172 (GNS 430) panels.

I'm more than willing to share experiences, etc. if someone wants.

[epaton]

I was there last week, they're in the process of editing the videos now. I actually flew the I-10 (which is missing a cockpit video) while I was there and it got filmed. I'm hoping to use that for the official cockpit video for that rating once they make it available to me.

I have to commend Keith for doing an excellent job with the pressure of flying the complex I-10 scenario, AND cameras peering over his back. We were filming for about 10 hours. Not to make things worse, I was failing equipment at the most critical points in the flight. You will love the the Pilot Edge Pre-Flight video. http://vimeo.com/112120488 Fast forward to about 26 minutes in...