IAPs, SIDs and STARs are basically nothing more than lists of waypoints. To make the new GPS compatible to X-Plane's existing default systems (flight plan, FMC, moving map etc.), there is just one reasonable way: When a user selects an IAP in the new GPS, add the IAP's waypoints to X-Planes current internal flight plan.

 

Sorry Mario, but you are wrong here. Adding a waypoint to a flightplan assumes there is only one type of waypoint. Which is correct for enroute, but not for DP+STAR+IAP+Transitions. Here "a waypoint" is actually one out of 23 different leg types. Historically, the X-Plane GPS and flightplan only knew about 1. The new 430 knows about all 23. And that's what makes all the difference.

Sorry Mario, but you are wrong here. Adding a waypoint to a flightplan assumes there is only one type of waypoint. Which is correct for enroute, but not for DP+STAR+IAP+Transitions. Here "a waypoint" is actually one out of 23 different leg types. Historically, the X-Plane GPS and flightplan only knew about 1. The new 430 knows about all 23. And that's what makes all the difference.

Thanks for the clarification -- my idea simply was that the new GPS maybe uses a similar approach as existing FMC and GPS plugins: Showing correct waypoint types on the simulated units, but internally giving simple lat/lon waypoints to X-Plane, to make that work with default flight plans.

 

Now I wonder how an approach selected on the new GPS will show up on the default FMC and the default moving map. Not at all? Or as lat/lon waypoints?

I think, and what I'm hoping here is that the SDK will allow people to do as they please with the aerosoft/X-Plane data (Technically they can anyway, if they parse it theirselves). I really want to see somebody create one of the touch screen Garmin devices, and maybe this will be possible. I look forward to trying out the SDK, and might even have a go myself (as a learning exercise). Also, completely off-topic, I hope they have added some more hooks to access the weather.

 

Whilst it's true a Cessna 172 is unlikely to fly a full SID or STAR (I'm presuming, I don't know from experience), some of the larger and faster GA planes may very well do, and as a practice tool for IFR, it would be very useful. If using an external tool to do the flight plan, then just adding the points from the SID/STAR should be enough anyway. In FSX when using the RealityXP, I never used SIDs and STARs anyway (as they took far too long to fly).

 

I'm just happy Philip has stepped in and is doing this, and he did a great job on the FMCs, so I'm sure he knows what he's doing ;-)

I think this is great news - mostly - as I can now use X-Plane without re-purchasing the RealityXP stuff I've bought for FSX.

 

Anyone, one puzzling area:

 

"The database from which approaches are loaded is provided by Aerosoft. A current database will be provided once with X-Plane 10.30, and further updates will be available on a subscription basis."

 

Well, I've found a few ways to update the RealityXP 430/530 via freely available Garmin data.  The cycle is current. Why not have that option here too? (it may be that the provision to do so would cause some type of operational conflicts with the Aerosoft format...)

 

Another vote for SIDs/STARs. This looks like a great start, though, and if it works as promised, I'll likely start using it for my IR training.

 

[edit] Oh, by the way... this would be made WAY better if we were natively able to run XP with multiple monitors without additional cost. My FSX training setup uses two large instrument panels with only a small out-the-window view.

 

C'mon Laminar, you can do it!

 

 

Well, I've found a few ways to update the RealityXP 430/530 via freely available Garmin data.  The cycle is current. Why not have that option here too?

 

I think it's only a matter of time after release before Navigraph create a data format as well (or someone creates a converter). The files it reads are just plain text, so it's fairly trivial to convert one to the other. 

 

The great part is that it is updatable, and unlike the RealityXP units (Which you had to hack to get updates), there will always be an option to update it. 

 

 

The great part is that it is updatable, and unlike the RealityXP units (Which you had to hack to get updates), there will always be an option to update it.

 

Ah, you don't have to hack RealityXP units to get updates....

 

http://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=38045&hilit=navdata

 

PM me reference RXP updates

Seems that the new GPS will not be an automatic fit for the 3D VC, seems that Carenado's B200 is the only out of the box ready for upgrade. I really hope they go back and at least do the PA46 and C90.

 

http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=76715&page=2

Oh freek really?  I thought it was a simple drag and drop or replace with planemaker??

 

Noooooooo

Oh freek really?  I thought it was a simple drag and drop or replace with planemaker??

 

Noooooooo

 

I thought so too. Seems to be more than I initially thought. So it appears that for the VC it will be the old GNS430 and if you would like to use the new GPS it will be 2D pop only. Not sure if any of the other plane makers will follow the same suit.

That's a pity, I thought it was just the case of changing the unit via plane-maker. I was hoping to switch over to the new GPS inside the Bell 407. Luckily, I'm sure the devs will come along and update in due time, or with enough pressure from users.

Upgrading a plane to the new GPS requires setting one checkbox in PlaneMaker. 

But we can't do it automatically on all planes because some authors intentionally misplaced the G430 screen texture to model other types of GPS. Think of the old G430 texture misplaced so the left part is cut off. Then you get the GPS part only, which some authors used to create a hand-held GPS receiver.

 

Problem is, the old G430 is both way too small and not proportionally correct in screen layout. So if we were to just exchange the screen texture with the new, both bigger and different and layout, screen texture, panels using such "hacks" would all be broken.

 

Therefore, we leave it to the authors to decide whether they want the new screen or not, rather than risking breaking existing planes.

 

And if you don't have the patience to wait for the aircraft author to change it, you open the aircraft in Plane Maker, go to the aircraft system screen, check one check-box, save, and done.

 

We'll have two dedicated articles on authoring planes and panels specifically for the new GPS features posted once we go public.

Thanks Philip, that's great news