X-plane GPS-Learned something interesting today

[currentadventure]

Okay, so as most of you know, the Garmin 430 in the slow piston aircraft, ie C172, pretty much is worthless, or is it? Today I learned that you can load an FMS flight plan and the 430 will track it.

I assigned an unused button on my yoke to load a FMS flight plan. I then used simroutes.com to generate the plan and download to my machine, placing it in the FMS folder. Upon launching X-plane, I loaded the plan and the 430 listed the first waypoint in the display. Once reaching that point, it automatically switched to the next waypoint! Also, the AP tracked all the points in NAV mode!

Granted, I don't think you could easily add a wp after loading the flight plan, but it sure beats manually adding a waypoint after you have reached your current point.

Thought I would share since most people are unhappy with the performance of the stock GPS unit.

[Ryan B]

Granted, I don't think you could easily add a wp after loading the flight plan, but it sure beats manually adding a waypoint after you have reached your current point.

Yeah, this is where it epic fails... unless there's a way to do it and I've not found it yet. Ironically, it's the same situation on the FSX default GPS 500. You can load a beautiful FP, but you cannot add points to it.

I miss my beloved RXP 530W/430W from FSX (doesn't work in XP x64)... so unless the XP acft has navigraph I'm stuck filing /A booo.

I'm curious what other XPers do? What alternatives are out there to RXP?

[arb65912]

I am using RealityXP software for their GNS530 and I am quite happy with it. http://www.reality-xp.com/flightsim/gns530/
The major complaint I have heard is that navigation database it comes with is old but it can be easily upgraded ( free) to 2011 cycle which works for me. Cheers, AJ

[TomATL]

Another vote for the Reality XP 530W. It takes a trick or two to get it installed in XPX, another trick to get the database updated, and it doesn't work in 64-bit XPX....but it's the only solution I've found for "real world"-type flying in the sim. I've looked quite a bit, and haven't found anything that competes with it.

[rgrazian]

Hi Guys,

Have you looked at (and/or) tried the SimAvio panels? I use those to replicate both r/w planes I fly. I fly a friend's Piper Lance II with a GNS430 and am doing my instrument training in the flight school's 172 G1000. I’ve also created a hybrid G1000 Piper Saratoga in x-plane. This allows me to practice using the G1000 along with the added work load of flying a high performance/complex plane. After my check ride in a few weeks (May 31 - YEAH), I’ll primarily be flying the Lance. Therefore, I’ll be changing my focus to flying x-plane with the Saratoga and a “Lance panel” as it is for me in the r/w. My set-up includes a touch screen panel. Although, there are some limitations with the SimAvio software, the approach data can be updated on the regular 28 day cycle allowing me to practice for r/w IFR flights. An example of a limitation is the inability to load a departure or arrival procedure by name. However, I believe you can enter a waypoint in the middle of a fight plan exactly the same as the r/w G1000 or GNS430. You can also save flight plans. I think the GPS both in the G1000 and GNS430 panels are pretty realistic.

[Vincent Meier]

Just to confirm.
For the GNS 430's on the SimAvio panels you can add/delete a waypoint in the middle of a flight plan

[Ryan B]

I have all the RXP stuff for FSX... best stuff bar none.

One problem with XP10. No x64 support!!! ARGHHH! That's what kills me.