Did you know that you can connect almost any real aviation apps to X-Plane 11?! The answer is Yes you can :)
Avare is a free aviation moving map GPS app. If my memory serves me well, it is available for both Android and ios platform. There is absolutely no hidden fees charged whatsoever, you just need to activate a free subscription that barely takes one minute.
Obviously, you can use it with or without connection to X-Plane. If not connected, it will be like a simple digital map similar to maps found on https://skyvector.com/ with all type of free maps and IFR approach plates available for the US. Low IFR, High IFR, World VFR, Sectional and Terminal Area charts can be downloaded so that no internet connection will be needed during its use. Same for the IFR approach plates. Keep in mind that you need a bit of space though if you want to download them all. That's the solution I've personally chosen.
In order to get it working with X-Plane, you'll need a Bluetooth dongle to plug in one of the USB port of your computer. Then you'll need to download another small app called "Avare External I/O Plugin" which basically lures the GPS receiver of your mobile phone/tablet and replaces the real GPS coordinates with the ones coming from X-Plane. In this latter app, you'll have to select via the top left hand side menu "Bluetooth" option and make sure in the drop down menu that your computer name appears meaning that it is well detected thanks to your Bluetooth dongle.
In X-Plane 11 using the GPS option menu, you'll have to set the virtual serial COM (generally COM 5) on which your Bluetooth dongle is connected to and when ready, tick the "Enable moving map or other NMEA GPS-driven device" box, then start the "Avare External I/O Plugin", click connect with the dropdown menu showing your PC name and then you'll be all set to start Avare and start enjoying all its features.
If you want to learn more about all the available functions, I won't re-invent the wheel so it is preferable to check all the tutorials available on this YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8WaDmZoK0vCwBfWYx-PSgw
And if you like it, you could consider a donation to its creator :)
TIPAH
Comments