This app features a complete Airbus Multipurpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU), similar to the Boe...
This app features a complete Airbus Multipurpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU), similar to the Boeing Flight Management Computer (FMC), also more generically known as a Flight Management System for X-Plane 11/12 (Windows and Linux, soon MacOS).
Controlling a flight from start to completion only using your keyboard is a significant challenge. Hence, the idea behind the project is to completely externalize the MCDU on a tablet (or mobile).
With this app, you have no further need to check the cockpit MCDU display on the computer. The entire functionality of the MCDU is accessible from the tablet.
"Well, there are several others already out there. Why a new one?" The development follows two drivers: offer a free version with a small banner on the bottom, but with no full-screen interrupting ads. Second, improve the connection with the simulator. Trying and testing several existing equivalent apps, I got annoyed in the long run by connection problems, manual re-connections, and their impact on the flight "immersion". This app connects automatically (on "standard" home LAN), reconnects in case of interruption, and tells you what's going on in case of connection loss. I've tried to make the process smooth.
A payware version of this application is available with NO Ads banner.
I highly recommend using a tablet rather than a mobile, at least if you have big fingers like me... Hitting the MCDU keys error-less on a small display sometimes in a rush (e.g.: DIR...) is not comfortable while managing the rest of your instruments.
Make sure your devices are on the same network. Many of us have more than one WiFi home connection and automatic switches between connections initiated by the devices with no notice ends the connection. Also, I've noticed that changing the IP of the X-Plane computer while the simulation is running leads to connection problems.
The app requires a plugin to be downloaded and installed in the X-Plane plugin folder:
/resources/plugin
The plugin can be found here: www.foxtek.fr/flightsimulation/xplane/plugin/FoxTekPlugin-v1.0.zip
Download the zip file and decompress it in the plugin directory.
The plugin is optimized to reduce the impact on the X-Plane frame rate. I've noticed that some plugins use a mechanism to "hide" the impact on the simulator (by using "threading"). I have not chosen this option as it still does indirectly impact the frame rate although the Plugin Manager is not able to measure it anymore (as it's outside of X-Plane).
I hope you will enjoy this app, as I do. More than 200 flights with more than 500 hours of testing were performed with all aircrafts, covering a large part of the globe...
The plan is to soon release the plugin on macOS. The app will also be ported to the same platforms, starting with macOS.
Developing this app is a very significant effort. If you like it and use it, please contribute. Contributing is what makes possible development of additional features, such as compatibility with other aircraft, a Boeing version, the new generation of A350/A380 MCDU, support of the macOS and Linux platforms, Microsoft Flight Simulator.
As a passionate, be sure that I'll listen to your comments, concerns, and wishes and do my best to provide a nice experience to all.
The last point, this app collects no data. The ads are independent and managed by Google. I you want no tracking at all, then buy the pro version ;-)
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