Dropping FSX, going with X-Plane, for approach plates

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Sundancer

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Sundog
Dang, the plates have gotten so old in FSX. . .I hadn't looked at X-Plane recently, so used their demo, and the SEA plates were "real", so I gagged up the $59.99 for version XPlane11.

I use the sim(s) for IFR practice, and I had all the "quirks" down for MS FSX, but the Jeppesson sim plates that match the FSX approaches aren't available anymore - Microsoft apparently has lost interest in FS. I realy wanted the plates, either hard copy, PDF, or at least view-able, to make the simulation worthwhile.

XPlane (so far) looks to be much improved; if I read it right, I can get it talking to my ipad/FF combination; not sure I need all that, but maybe later.
 
Hi.
Another option is to use a Moving map, like free Avare, with FSX, on your Android tablet and have more than just Plates.
 
At least on Garmin Pilot, it works great. Just have to be on the same network and you'll start receiving a "gps" signal. Then you can use the IAPs on your tablet.

The 430 simulator in Xplane10 was pretty good. I haven't tried 11 yet.
 
I tried the X-Plane 11 demo, but my old iMac couldn't handle the load, so I'm sticking with X-Plane 10. Austin does a pretty good job of keeping the navaids up to date. And the iPad-Foreflight interface works really well, even the AHRS and synthetic vision is right on. (Think of that - a simulation of a simulation! o_O ).

For IFR simulation the default X-Plane models are fine, because the gauges are large and easy to read. But for a more "realistic" visual and handling experience, I like the Carenado models, especially the C-172N, Archer II, Saratoga, Mooney 201 and V35B Bonanza. The more complex panels require some squinting, and can be hard to read depending on simulated "sun angle" and "reflections".
 
When I was working on my ATP, using FSX, I recall downloading a aftermarket nav update, don't recall much more
 
Microsoft lost interest in FS many, many years ago. Laid off most of the FS staff.
 
bluesideup said:
Hi.
Another option is to use a Moving map, like free Avare, with FSX, on your Android tablet and have more than just Plates.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip - mostly I'm interested in practicing approaches; XPlane11 has a G530 and G430 on their Cessna 172, and a "map" is available, as well as IFR enroute charts. I just really wanted to pull up a plate on my iPad, like I do for real, and fly that approach on the sim. It may be a bonus to have FF pick up the "GPS" signal from XPlane; I'll be giving that a look.

Too bad about MS dumping FS; things change. . .
 
I really like X-Plane as a flight sim, but there are quirks. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get it to accept a null spot in the middle of the yoke, so control is a little difficult. And it seems like the Mooney glide ratio is really, really high - like more than 15:1, I did a power off glide from Kaneohe Bay at 3000' to Kalaupapa, 45 miles away and I was still high when I got there. At one point I had a down attitude (power off) and it was still climbing. Maybe that's just what a Mooney does...

Still, X-Plane is the best flight sim out there...recommended.
 
Which mooney? that might be a problem with the model (which, as I understand it, includes a bunch of stuff that controls how it flies). I have the carenado mooney model, and I own a real mooney. I'm not saying it's -exact-, but I haven't found it levitating (either one).
 
jsstevens said:
Sold it to Lockheed Martin. They sell it for other applications. www.prepar3d.com
Click to expand...
Right. And they are sloooooooowly starting to fix up the old FSX engine. (the first 2 versions just added new UI and UX which was pretty worthless IMO but the newer versions are updating some functionality as well)
Do you know whether P3D keeps the plates current? Or do they just install the old FSX plates and navaids?
 
BigBadLou said:
Right. And they are sloooooooowly starting to fix up the old FSX engine. (the first 2 versions just added new UI and UX which was pretty worthless IMO but the newer versions are updating some functionality as well)
Do you know whether P3D keeps the plates current? Or do they just install the old FSX plates and navaids?
Click to expand...

No idea. The pricing (when I last looked at it) was not geared to individual users. They wanted people to use it as an engine to commercial flight sims.
 
jsstevens said:
No idea. The pricing (when I last looked at it) was not geared to individual users. They wanted people to use it as an engine to commercial flight sims.
Click to expand...
True. Though don't they have a cheaper student license one can purchase?
I sure would not pay multiple AMUs for the Pro version.
 
Sundancer said:
Thanks for the tip - mostly I'm interested in practicing approaches; XPlane11 has a G530 and G430 on their Cessna 172, and a "map" is available, as well as IFR enroute charts. I just really wanted to pull up a plate on my iPad, like I do for real, and fly that approach on the sim. It may be a bonus to have FF pick up the "GPS" signal from XPlane; I'll be giving that a look.

Too bad about MS dumping FS; things change. . .
Click to expand...
X-Plane connects to FF for free so you can see yourself on a moving map and, if you have it, on approach plates as well.

You just have to input the IP address your iPad is connected to into the option in X-Plane. It should be under the Networking and/or Connections tab.
 
BigBadLou said:
True. Though don't they have a cheaper student license one can purchase?
I sure would not pay multiple AMUs for the Pro version.
Click to expand...

I don't know. They didn't have anything I could use at a price point I would pay.
 
midlifeflyer said:
In this case, it changed 5 years ago.
Click to expand...
Roger that - I just avoided having to learn a new interface and quirks; the XPlan11 nerface is better, which makes sense, as FSX was pretty old. . .
 
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