I'd like to share a project I am working on with the group. I created a .net Windows Tray Application that listens to the UDP port output from xplane and builds a KML file that Google Earth reads on a timer as a network link. I generate a basic point place-mark with a custom icon (airplane, heli, etc...) and the name of my plane or heli. I set a LookAt entry that will keep the window centered as the point updates and you can specify the eye level or height to zoom out to. In addition to the layers you already have such as roads and airports, I found a free sectional chart layer! Now I have a moving real-time location on a sectional chart without having to pause the simulation and bring up the xplane map. The plan is to run this on my laptop next to my x-plane PC for flight planning and orientation help while I learn to fly IFR.I realize this has already been done in one way shape or form, but I did not find a solution that meet my needs specifically. Since I am a .net developer and work with protocols and byte traffic at work it was easy to have a proof of concept up and running in no time. At this point I am adding settings and refinements and then I should be able to share it with the community if anyone is interested in trying it?

Hi durangoflyer, I wouldn't use it but it's fun p[laying around with this stuff eh :) I did something very similar on an ipad for fsx a while ago, google and the api's make it so easy to do cool stuff! btw, no I dont have that app available to anyone who may ask.

I have had more time to tweak it for performance and it is working nicely now. I have completed the settings screen and user settings are stored for reboots and such. I found that entering a eye level value is combersome when you want to zoom in and out on GE, so plan to add a slider zoom control on tray screen.

Just in case you are not aware-g-map works with Xplane:http://forum.avsim.net/topic/358217-fyi-plang-and-xplane-great-way-to-explore/page__view__getnewpost

Looks like a nice program. I enjoyed writing my own and the learning process with it.Now if my TrackIR would get here.....

Edited January 2, 201214 yr by durangoflyer