AV-30 Connection with iFly EFB

AV-30 Connection with iFly EFB

Connecting iFly EFB to an AV-30 Using a Bluetooth RS-232 Adapter

iFly EFB can send aviation data to an AV-30 using its NMEA Output feature and a compatible Bluetooth-to-RS-232 serial adapter.

This allows iFly EFB to send information such as:

  • GPS position and movement trends

  • Navigation information

  • Flight plan data

The basic connection looks like this:

iFly EFB NMEA Data  → Bluetooth → RS-232 Adapter → Serial Wiring → AV-30

To break it down, NMEA is the data that is being sent from iFly which includes stuff like your GPS Position & Flight Plan. An RS232 adapter is a 9 pin serial port that is used to get data smoothly into the AV-30. All iFly is doing is connecting to the the RS232 adapter through Bluetooth, to send the data we have, over to the AV-30. 

Compatible Devices

  • iFly EFB X7 Aviation Tablet

  • Original iFly EFB Aviation Tablet

  • Other Android Devices

The Android device must support Bluetooth and allow iFly EFB permission to connect to nearby Bluetooth devices.

Compatible Bluetooth-to-RS-232 Adapters

Our primary recommendation is the Parani SD1000 Bluetooth-to-serial adapter.

The SD1000 is more expensive than many generic Bluetooth RS-232 adapters, but it is the adapter we have tested most extensively. It also offers better product support and warranty coverage.

Bolutek: Lower-Cost Option

The Bolutek Bluetooth-RS232 adapter  is substantially less expensive than the Parani SD1000, which can make it useful if you are looking for a lower-cost solution. It also does not include a power cable, which will need to be purchased separately. 

What You Will Need

Before beginning the installation, have the following available:

  • iFly EFB running on an Android device

  • A compatible Bluetooth-Rs232 Adapter

  • The adapter's USB power cable

  • An appropriate aircraft power source for the adapter

  • The required serial wiring for the AV-30

  • The AV-30 installation documentation

  • The required RS-232 baud rate for the AV-30 configuration being used

Aircraft installation note: The exact AV-30 pins, power connections, grounding requirements, wire type, circuit protection, and installation practices should be determined from the applicable AV-30 installation manual and aircraft documentation. Aircraft wiring should be performed in accordance with applicable installation requirements, preferably by a qualified avionics installer.

Step 1: Configure the Bluetooth RS-232 Adapter

These instructions use the Parani SD1000 as the primary example.
Here is a video based version of the connection instructions. 
https://youtu.be/OyVjFJNvnEk?si=mT95I-CYNrgrqOgO

1. Power the adapter

Connect the SD1000's USB power lead to an appropriate power source and turn the adapter ON. The power switch is located on the top of the adapter. 

The adapter must remain powered whenever you want iFly EFB to communicate with the AV-30.

Additionally, please make sure that the Bluetooth adapter is screwed onto the Parani-SD1000.

2. Connect the serial side

Connect the adapter's RS-232 output to the appropriate serial input wiring for the AV-30. This is typically done using a breakout board. A breakout board simplifies the wiring process by taking all the pins into an easy to access line.


The only pin you will need to use will be the TXD (Transmit Data) pin. Please connect this to the RXD (Receive Data Pin) on the AV-30. If you are connecting the Parani SD1000 (female) to a breakout board (male) Transmit Data should be Pin 3. 


3. Determine the required baud rate

The baud rate is the rate at which data is being sent. This needs to be configured that way all the devices are in sync. The AV-30 supports both, 4800 & 9600. Please reference your AV-30 installation manual to determine which is best for you. 

Once you have your baud rate, please set the Parani SD-1000 dip switches to reflect this. 
The switch pattern is printed on the adapter. 


4. Put the adapter into pairing mode

Using a paper clip, toothpick, or similar nonconductive tool, press the recessed Pairing button near the top-right area of the adapter.

When the SD1000 is ready to pair, the Mode indicator will flash green in groups of three.



Step 2 — Pair the Adapter With the Android Tablet

On the Android tablet:

  1. Open Android Settings.

  2. Open Bluetooth.

  3. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

  4. Look for the Parani adapter.

It will normally appear with a name similar to:

SD1000v2.0-xxxxx

Tap the device to pair with it.

If Android requests a Bluetooth PIN, the default Parani PIN is typically:

1234

Once pairing is complete, return to iFly EFB.

Pairing the device in Android does not by itself begin sending NMEA data. The adapter must also be selected inside iFly EFB.

Step 3 — Configure NMEA Output in iFly EFB

Open iFly EFB and navigate to:

Menu › Setup › NMEA Output › Bluetooth › Send to Bluetooth RS232

Select the paired adapter, such as:

SD1000v2.0-xxxxx

Allow the Android Bluetooth permission

Android may ask whether iFly EFB can connect to Nearby devices.

Choose Allow.

This permission is important. An adapter can appear successfully paired in Android while no NMEA data is actually transmitted if iFly EFB does not have permission to communicate with nearby Bluetooth devices.

Configure the NMEA output

Under the Custom NMEA settings, select the sentences required by the receiving equipment.

Also set the appropriate baud rate.

The baud rate configured in iFly EFB must agree with:

  • The baud-rate configuration of the Bluetooth RS-232 adapter

  • The serial configuration expected by the receiving avionics

A mismatch can prevent usable data from reaching the AV-30.

Step 4 — Verify That Data Is Being Sent

Once iFly is connected and transmitting, the Parani SD1000 provides useful status indicators.

You should normally see:

  • The Connect light turn green when the Bluetooth connection is established.

  • The RS232 Tx/Rx indicator flash as serial data is transmitted.

If the Bluetooth connection is established but the serial activity light never flashes, verify the NMEA configuration, permissions, and whether iFly currently has valid position data.

Step 5 — Test the System on the Ground

iFly EFB only sends useful NMEA navigation information when it has a position.

For a ground test, you can use iFly's built-in simulation mode.

Navigate to:

Menu › Start Simulation Mode › Show Simulation Controls

Then:

  1. Load a flight plan.

  2. Use the simulation controls to add forward speed.

  3. Add a climb or other movement if desired.

  4. Allow the simulation to begin progressing along the route.

Next, open:

Menu › About › Connected Devices

Look for an:

NMEA Output Controller

Its transmitted sentence count should increase while the simulation is running.

This confirms that iFly EFB is generating and sending NMEA output.

You can then verify that the expected navigation information is being received by the AV-30.

Common Misconceptions

A common misconception is that iFly EFB can send this information to the AV-30 through the AV-Link. iFly EFB does not use the AV-Link to provide NMEA navigation data to an AV-30 and that is done instead through the a Bluetooth RS232 adapter. 

The AV-Link is primarily used to provide connectivity between the AV-30 system and compatible external sources, including supported ADS-B traffic functionality.