Avidyne IFD and Stratus

[PeytonM]

I have a Garmin 430W/Garmin 330ES combo for ADS-B "OUT."  I am running Stratus2 and ForeFlight on my iPad for ADS-B "In" traffic and weather. Works very well. As you know, Stratus and iPad/ForeFlight communicate with each other via Wifi.    So far, so good. 

I am looking at the IFD440 for replacement of the 430W.  I understand the new software (10.2) will allow bidirectional communication of the IFD with iPad/ForeFlight for flight plans and changes on the fly (pun intended); this was one of my main reasons for my consideration of the change.  Nice!  From what I see in the IFD440 Manual, those communications are via wifi.  

Oh-oh....

I presume this means I have to pick one wireless network at a time that the iPad uses: Stratus or IFD, and not access data streaming on the other.

Am I missing anything? Any first hand experiences with this configuration? Suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[Northern Mooniac]

You also need to double check that the IFD440 can "recieve" flight plans from foreflight, I was told that it can only "send" to foreflight.

I looked at switching radios too, and ended up just buying a flight stream instead. Nothing wrong with the 430 and if you live and breath foreflight it's tough to give up.

[PeytonM]

I guess with the latest release of software (from Avidyne's website): 

IFD-Series Supported Apps and WiFi Devices

With Release 10.1.1.0 or later, the IFD Series of Navigators will transmit data via WiFi to a supporting mobile applications. Release 10.2.0.0, will transmit and receive information from supporting mobile applications. The data that is transmitted and received from the IFD Series of Navigators includes (but not limited to) GPS position, velocity, groundspeed, flight plan information, traffic, weather and user waypoints. 

Below is a list of applications and required software levels needed to interact with the IFDs.

• ForeFlight 7.6 or later and IFD software Release 10.1.1.0
• Seattle Avionics FlyQ EFB 2.4 and IFD software Release 10.1.1.0
• Flightplan.com FltPlan Go 4.4.6 and IFD software Release 10.1.1.0
• AvPlan EFB and IFD software Release 10.1.1.0

[Northern Mooniac]

That's just what I read, It would be awesome to have someone chime in and say "foreflight will do 2 way transfers wth an ifd440" 

my Avionics guy talked me out of it. I'm not going to stop using foreflight, I'm investing in an aspen 1000 pro as well, so what advantage will a ifd440 give me....I just decided to pay the $900cdn for a used flight stream and save my money for speed brakes

[jlunseth]

I guess I don't see much value in being able to transfer a flight plan from a portable to the panel mounted GPS.  Take a look at the "ATC Clearance Experiment" thread for some examples.  There really isn't any point in inputting a long flight plan on the ground, ATC will always give you something different.  Most often what they give you will include a Departure, which is going to be in the panel mount anyway.  When you are in the air it might seem like a good idea to type a longer plan into your mobile and then bluetooth it to the panel, but that takes too much time.  You really need to put in the first waypoint, get on a course direct to that waypoint, and then put the rest of the course in at your leisure.  

[Northern Mooniac]

To each his own I suppose. But I'm going to want that clearance and flight plan in foreflight as well, so whats easier, putting it into the g430 or into foreflight and transferring it.

if you use foreflight it's alot cheaper to just keep his 430 and do a flight stream vs a whole new radio.

 

[jlunseth]

Just now, Northern Mooniac said:

To each his own I suppose. But I'm going to want that clearance and flight plan in foreflight as well, so whats easier, putting it into the g430 or into foreflight and transferring it.

if you use foreflight it's alot cheaper to just keep his 430 and do a flight stream vs a whole new radio.

 

Yes, definitely.  One prejudice I have is that especially on longer trips, the autopilot is doing the driving after takeoff, and particularly around Bravo airspaces I don't want to be removing and replacing the flight plan because that can send me off in a direction ATC would not want to see me go, even briefly.  So it is a matter of going into the GPS and modifiying specific waypoints while not disturbing the waypoint that the plane is currently flying to.  Frankly, living in the midwest, I don't get into alot of complicated flight plans.  My experience with that is FL, East Coast, and going south around Chicago.  A more typical flight plan for me is direct A to B, with a Departure that ATC assigns that doesn't always make alot of sense on a map.  I have flown direct as far as Durango, CO to Flying Cloud in Minneapolis - and everything in between.  Usually they will have me fly to the first couple of waypoints on the Departure and then cancel the rest and go direct.  Flightplans in practice are very fluid things.  

[peevee]

From the ifd install manual

 

“In some cases, an aircraft may have an existing WAP in use. For example, some aircraft may be accustomed to connecting 3rd party iPad applications to a Stratus ADS-B receiver. These pilots will likely wish to also have access to the IFD from their iPads. In order to achieve this configuration, the IFD must be configured to connect to the Stratus receiver. This will allow tablet devices to access data from both the Stratus and the IFD simultaneously”

[Garryowen]

On 4/7/2017 at 9:06 AM, PeytonM said:

Oh-oh....

I presume this means I have to pick one wireless network at a time that the iPad uses: Stratus or IFD, and not access data streaming on the other.

 

Connect the IFD to the stratus.  Connect your iPad/s to the stratus. Stratus acts as a wifi router for sending and receiving. 

[peevee]

13 hours ago, jlunseth said:

I guess I don't see much value in being able to transfer a flight plan from a portable to the panel mounted GPS.  Take a look at the "ATC Clearance Experiment" thread for some examples.  There really isn't any point in inputting a long flight plan on the ground, ATC will always give you something different.  Most often what they give you will include a Departure, which is going to be in the panel mount anyway.  When you are in the air it might seem like a good idea to type a longer plan into your mobile and then bluetooth it to the panel, but that takes too much time.  You really need to put in the first waypoint, get on a course direct to that waypoint, and then put the rest of the course in at your leisure.  

We have a Bluetooth keyboard for the ifd anyway and an on screen. It's quick to edit.

[gsxrpilot]

I'm a huge ForeFlight fan. But I think it's just as quick or quicker to enter a flight plan on the IFD540. I'll enter it there and transfer it to FF.

[jlunseth]

Just now, gsxrpilot said:

I'm a huge ForeFlight fan. But I think it's just as quick or quicker to enter a flight plan on the IFD540. I'll enter it there and transfer it to FF.

Now that makes some sense to me.  Get it into the GPS so the plane flies to the right places, and then transfer it to ForeFlight.  But I have to say, I find myself looking at FF less and less, unless of course there is a specific reason, such as flying an approach with a plate on FF.  I have a moving map, so maybe that is a reason looking at FF is less important to me.  A 530 or 750 would do the same thing for you.  As a practical matter, the ability to transfer plans back and forth is more a matter of "cool factor" than a practical advantage helping to fly the plane better.  So it comes down to how much you are willing to pay for "cool factor."  IMHO of course.

I am a huge Foreflight fan too BTW, I am on my third iPad now, since FF originally came out.  

[gsxrpilot]

Just now, jlunseth said:

Now that makes some sense to me.  Get it into the GPS so the plane flies to the right places, and then transfer it to ForeFlight.  But I have to say, I find myself looking at FF less and less, unless of course there is a specific reason, such as flying an approach with a plate on FF.  I have a moving map, so maybe that is a reason looking at FF is less important to me.  A 530 or 750 would do the same thing for you.  As a practical matter, the ability to transfer plans back and forth is more a matter of "cool factor" than a practical advantage helping to fly the plane better.  So it comes down to how much you are willing to pay for "cool factor."  IMHO of course.

I am a huge Foreflight fan too BTW, I am on my third iPad now, since FF originally came out.  

Yeah, and basically why I never really understand spending money on the FlightStream box.  It's built into the Avidyne boxes so I'll use it, but I wouldn't spend an AMU + Install just for that feature.

[Northern Mooniac]

In his case, it's a matter of spending $999 on a flight stream or $5999 on an avidyne. That $5000 he cold spend else where and basically have the same features.

[gsxrpilot]

Yeah, but I'm saying I don't see even $999 of value in what the flight stream provides. 

[M016576]

18 minutes ago, gsxrpilot said:

Yeah, but I'm saying I don't see even $999 of value in what the flight stream provides. 

Or the principle of the matter... that flightstream is literally $20 in parts.  And it sells for more than a iPad Pro- Avionics cost... go figure.

edit: if you're replacing or installing new anyway- I'd weigh the cost of desired features and go from there (IFD440 or ifd540), but if you're upgrading specifically for the wifi transfer, then the cheapest route is certainly sticking with the 430w and adding a FS.

Edited April 9, 2017 by M016576

[peevee]

On 4/8/2017 at 8:33 AM, peevee said:

From the ifd install manual

 

“In some cases, an aircraft may have an existing WAP in use. For example, some aircraft may be accustomed to connecting 3rd party iPad applications to a Stratus ADS-B receiver. These pilots will likely wish to also have access to the IFD from their iPads. In order to achieve this configuration, the IFD must be configured to connect to the Stratus receiver. This will allow tablet devices to access data from both the Stratus and the IFD simultaneously”

This is tested and working on ours with a stratux box.

[Northern Mooniac]

For me I also wanted to stop using my stratus and the flightstream does that too. Is it over priced? Yes. What isn't in aviation.

for me im also investing in an aspen panel, so I'll get moving maps etc anyway.

and don't get me wrong the 440 radios are ridiculous, I may end up upgrading down the road, ultimately for me it came down to budget.

[M016576]

3 hours ago, Northern Mooniac said:

For me I also wanted to stop using my stratus and the flightstream does that too. Is it over priced? Yes. What isn't in aviation.

for me im also investing in an aspen panel, so I'll get moving maps etc anyway.

and don't get me wrong the 440 radios are ridiculous, I may end up upgrading down the road, ultimately for me it came down to budget.

That's totally legit, in my mind.  If you were to go IFD440, the big reason, to me, would be for the ifd100 app, and the interoperability with FlyQ (foreflight, whatever).  If you're trying to get away from an iPad in the cockpit, though, a GTN750 or ifd540 would be the way to go.  

I think you made a smart decision, though, and the most cost effective for what you want, and the capital you want to outlay.

[PeytonM]

From the latest installation Manual (10.2)

7.5.14.1.2 Configuring the IFD as a Client to an External WAP 

In some cases, an aircraft may have an existing WAP in use. For example, some aircraft may be accustomed to connecting 3rd party iPad applications to a Stratus ADS-B receiver.  These pilots will likely wish to also have access to the IFD from their iPads. In order to achieve this configuration, the IFD must be configured to connect to the Stratus receiver. This will allow tablet devices to access data from both the Stratus and the IFD simultaneously. 

[peevee]

3 minutes ago, PeytonM said:

From the latest installation Manual (10.2)

7.5.14.1.2 Configuring the IFD as a Client to an External WAP 

In some cases, an aircraft may have an existing WAP in use. For example, some aircraft may be accustomed to connecting 3rd party iPad applications to a Stratus ADS-B receiver.  These pilots will likely wish to also have access to the IFD from their iPads. In order to achieve this configuration, the IFD must be configured to connect to the Stratus receiver. This will allow tablet devices to access data from both the Stratus and the IFD simultaneously. 

 

On 4/8/2017 at 8:33 AM, peevee said:

From the ifd install manual

 

“In some cases, an aircraft may have an existing WAP in use. For example, some aircraft may be accustomed to connecting 3rd party iPad applications to a Stratus ADS-B receiver. These pilots will likely wish to also have access to the IFD from their iPads. In order to achieve this configuration, the IFD must be configured to connect to the Stratus receiver. This will allow tablet devices to access data from both the Stratus and the IFD simultaneously”

There's an echo

[PeytonM]

Yep, should have reviewed previous posts. Sorry. 

[laytonl]

I was planning to swap my 530 for an Avidyne but after talking with the Avidyne guys at Sun n Fun last week I am leaning toward a FlightStream 210.The Avidyne 540 will not do SVS, it requires the 550 box.  Avidyne doesn't talk to a GDL-88 so it messes up my ADS-B in.  Looks like I'll have the 530 for a few more years.  Lee

[LANCECASPER]

52 minutes ago, laytonl said:

I was planning to swap my 530 for an Avidyne but after talking with the Avidyne guys at Sun n Fun last week I am leaning toward a FlightStream 210.The Avidyne 540 will not do SVS, it requires the 550 box.  Avidyne doesn't talk to a GDL-88 so it messes up my ADS-B in.  Looks like I'll have the 530 for a few more years.  Lee

The IFD540 does Exocentric SVS (a view of the airplane in trail).

 

The IFD550 does Egocentric SVS (a view out the window).

[peevee]

Svs?