Simulator - emulate earlier GPS simulators

[mot5852...@gmail.com]

Last night I had a IPC student who started using Avare a couple of months ago, ask me about the simulator feature on Avare.

Not being an expert user, I mumbled that I thought the simulation mode provided an alternate GPS source should GPS not be working on the host device.

The student said he was looking for functionality similar to earlier Garmin handheld GPS units, where one could:
1. Input heading, ground speed and altitude, and the GPS would simulate moving through space using those parameters, or,
2. Input ground speed and altitude and starting point, and the GPS would follow a filed flight plan, in a simulation mode.

He said that often he would practice getting charts ready, pulling weather, etc, when using the onboard simulator of his handheld GPS because it allowed him to practice things.  He said he would increase the speed to compress time when following a flight plan.

So my question is: Does Avare have this capability?  A non-expert search of the docs didn't yield anything like this.

Thanks.

[John W SBA]

> simulator feature on Avare.

If your question is about Map/Menu/Simulation, that's not a flight
simulator. It's a toggle button to switch between the normal Avare
function to actively Navigate using GPS, and the inactive Simulation
mode that allows users to browse charts without GPS from any source.
For example, I often use it to quickly look up airports, A/FD info, etc.
There was recently some discussion about changing the "Simulation"
name on that button to something more descriptive of its function.

> I thought the simulation mode provided an alternate GPS source

My understanding is that it toggles Avare's use of GPS on/off,
regardless of the GPS status (on/off) or source (internal to the device
or an external receiver connected via the free Apps4Av I/O add-on app).
For example, I can toggle that Avare button to Navigate even though the
GPS is turned off in my Android device settings (or external GPS
receiver). Avare then works much like in Simulation mode, in that it
won't have a current accurate position or show Near options, etc.

> 1. Input heading, ground speed and altitude, and the GPS would simulate

This can be done with Avare, using external apps. If you search this
Forum, our website, and the internet/web you can find details on how to
set that up.

> Does Avare have this capability?

In terms of doing flight simulation solely in Avare on a handheld
device, I don't don't think so. I believe the people using Avare for
flight simulation do so using external (maybe only computer-based?) apps
that feed simulated GPS data to Avare which then treats it like it would
actual GPS data so the Avare user can "fly" the route in Avare with all
of Avare's features available. They can change the location data
(route) fed and its rate (thus the "airspeed"), to "fly" a four hour
route in seconds or slow it down at points of interest.

My own strategy for "pre-flying" a route in Avare, is to simply create a
Plan. I can then use Avare's "Simulation" function to manually browse
the route at will. I can look up A/FD data and everything else I might
do during the actual flight, and pan the charts (including TACs and
WACs, etc.) at will. Sometimes in doing that I'll drag the route line
to avoid a TFR, etc. I may also add or remove a stop, or detour to
check out something from the air. My guess is that most anything a
pilot might want along the lines of your two points, I'd find easier and
more convenient in Avare as described, rather than via simulation.

As for flight simulation of the type you've described, maybe others here
on the Forum use that and can describe the process.

[fly...@yahoo.com]

Hi.
The GPS Simulator in the Avare IO will allow you to enter a GPS start location, Speed, Heading and Altitude and when you Start it and go to Avare chart / Map you will see the acft icon move across.
It is mainly used for testing.
If you want a full simulator experience you would need XPlane and or MSFSX, and have a tablet with Avare being used as you were flying in a real airplane, the sim will interface to Avare via WiFi. TV

[mot5852...@gmail.com]

The student does not want a full simulator.  I will check out what you describe.  THANKS!