Connect iFly to a Trio EZ Autopilot

Connect iFly EFB to a Trio EZ Pilot autopilot

iFLY EFB / AUTOPILOT / VERIFIED AGAINST PILOT'S GUIDE 14.0 AND EZ PILOT MANUAL REV 2.5

This procedure shows how to send GPS and flight plan data from iFly EFB to a Trio EZ Pilot autopilot. iFly EFB sends NMEA data. The EZ Pilot uses this data to track the active flight plan or Direct-To.

The EZ Pilot has no internal GPS receiver. It must get GPS data from an external source, for example iFly EFB. The connection is different for each iFly device. Find your device in the table below, then do the procedure for that device.

For a Trio Pro Pilot, refer to Connect iFly EFB to a Trio Pro Pilot autopilot. For other autopilots, refer to Drive an autopilot from iFly (wired NMEA output).

Figure 1. Connection options and pins

iFLY DEVICE	CONNECTION	iFLY DATA PIN	PROCEDURE
iFly GPS (520, 700, 720, 740, 740b)	USB to Serial Cable (DB9 male)	Pin 3	Option A
Original Aviation Tablet with Docking Station	Docking Station serial port (DB9 female)	Pin 2	Option B
X7 Aviation Tablet	Bluetooth RS-232 adapter. The X7 has no wired serial output.	Adapter TXD	Option C

VIDEO

This video shows the autopilot function of iFly EFB.

https://youtu.be/acQV-y7tgB4

WARNING

Use iFly EFB data for VFR navigation only. iFly EFB and iFly GPS units are not FAA certified. Do not connect iFly to the autopilot of a certified aircraft.

Keep the servo disengaged during all ground tests. The SERVO POWER LED must be off. An engaged servo can move the ailerons.

Let a qualified avionics installer do the aircraft wiring. Use the Trio EZ Pilot Manual to make sure that the pins, wire type and circuit protection are correct.

Before you start

The EZ Pilot receives GPS data on the J1 connector: pin 7 is GPS NMEA 0183 data in. Pin 8 is the GPS data return (ground).
The EZ Pilot accepts NMEA 0183 Rev 2.0 or later at 4800 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
iFly EFB must send the RMC and RMB sentences. The Standard setting sends these two sentences at 4800 baud.
The EZ Pilot examines the data and configures itself. If it does not recognize the data, it shows NO GPS.
Connect only one data source to pin 7 at a time. If the aircraft has a different GPS, install a selector switch.

NOTE

The EZ Pilot controls the roll axis only. It has no GPSS or GPSV function. The iFly connection gives the TRK, CRS and INT modes.

Option A: iFly GPS

This option applies to the iFly 520, 700, 720, 740 and 740b. It uses the iFly USB to Serial Cable (Figure 2). The optional DB9 breakout board gives screw terminals for each pin (Figure 3).

TO CONNECT THE CABLE

Set the aircraft master switch and the EZ Pilot to OFF.
Connect DB9 pin 3 (data) of the cable to EZ Pilot J1 pin 7.
Connect DB9 pin 5 (ground) of the cable to EZ Pilot J1 pin 8.
Connect the USB plug of the cable to the iFly GPS.

Figure 2. USB to Serial Cable and DB9 plug

Figure 3. DB9 breakout board

NOTE

Do not cut a USB cable. A USB cable does not carry the serial signal. Use a USB-to-serial cable with an FTDI chipset. The cable from the iFly store is FTDI.

On the iFly 740b, wait approximately 1 minute after you connect the cable. The unit looks for an input device before it changes to output mode.

TO SET THE NMEA OUTPUT

Tap Menu › Setup › NMEA Output.
If iFly shows No Serial Ports, iFly does not find the cable. Disconnect the cable and connect it again. If the message stays, try a different FTDI cable.
Select Standard. iFly sends GPRMC and GPRMB at 4800 baud.

Go to Do a ground test.

Option B: Original Aviation Tablet with Docking Station

This option uses the serial port on the Aviation Tablet Docking Station (Figure 4). The serial connector is a DB9 female connector.

CAUTION

Use pin 2 for data on the Docking Station. The Docking Station sends data on pin 2, not on pin 3. Pin 3 is correct only for the iFly GPS cable (Option A).

TO CONNECT THE DOCKING STATION

Set the aircraft master switch and the EZ Pilot to OFF.
Connect DB9 pin 2 (transmit) of the Docking Station to EZ Pilot J1 pin 7.
Connect DB9 pin 5 (ground) of the Docking Station to EZ Pilot J1 pin 8.
Make sure that the Docking Station has DC power through its round power plug. The serial port does not send data without DC power.
Put the tablet in the Docking Station.

Figure 4. Docking Station serial connector

TO SET THE NMEA OUTPUT

Open iFly EFB.
Tap Menu › Setup › NMEA Output.
Select Send to COM Port.
Select Standard. On some versions, this option has the name Normal.

Go to Do a ground test.

Option C: X7 Aviation Tablet

The X7 Aviation Tablet has no wired serial output. Use a Bluetooth RS-232 adapter (Figure 5). The adapter receives the data from the X7 and sends it to the EZ Pilot through a wire.

The data moves in this sequence: iFly EFB (NMEA data) › Bluetooth › RS-232 adapter › Serial wire › EZ Pilot.

Figure 5. Parani SD1000 Bluetooth RS-232 adapter

COMPATIBLE ADAPTERS

Parani SD1000 (recommended). This adapter costs more, but we did the most tests with it. The manufacturer also gives better product support and a better warranty.
Bolutek (lower-cost option). This adapter costs much less. It does not include a power cable. You must buy a power cable separately. Refer to Bolutek Bluetooth-RS232 Adapter - Setup Guide.

TO SET UP AND CONNECT THE ADAPTER

These instructions use the Parani SD1000 as the example. There is also a Parani SD1000 setup video. The video shows a connection to an AV-30, but the adapter steps are the same.

Make sure that the Bluetooth antenna is tightly attached to the adapter.
Connect the USB power cable of the adapter to an applicable power source. Set the power switch to ON.
Connect the TXD pin of the adapter to EZ Pilot J1 pin 7. On a breakout board connected to the SD1000, TXD is pin 3.
Connect the signal ground pin of the adapter to EZ Pilot J1 pin 8. On a breakout board, ground is pin 5.
Set the DIP switches on the adapter to 4800 baud. The switch positions are printed on the adapter.
Push the recessed Pairing button with a toothpick or a similar nonconductive tool.
Make sure that the Mode indicator flashes green in groups of three. The adapter is ready to pair.

NOTE

The adapter must have power at all times when iFly EFB sends data to the autopilot.

TXD is the only data pin that you use. iFly EFB sends data to the autopilot. The autopilot does not send data to iFly EFB.

TO SET THE NMEA OUTPUT

On the X7, open Settings › Bluetooth. Make sure that Bluetooth is on.
Find the adapter in the list. The name is usually similar to SD1000v2.0-xxxxx.
Touch the adapter name to pair it. If Android asks for a PIN, type the default Parani PIN: 1234.
Open iFly EFB. Tap Menu › Setup › NMEA Output › Bluetooth › Send to Bluetooth RS232.
Select the paired adapter.
If Android asks for the Nearby devices permission, touch Allow.
Open the Custom NMEA settings. Select RMC and RMB.
Set the baud rate to 4800.

NOTE

Pairing in Android does not start the NMEA data. You must also select the adapter in iFly EFB.

The Nearby devices permission is important. Android can show that the adapter is paired, but iFly EFB cannot send data without this permission.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ADAPTER SENDS DATA

Make sure that the Connect light comes on green. The Bluetooth connection is complete.
Make sure that the RS232 Tx/Rx light flashes. The adapter sends serial data.

If the Connect light is green but the Tx/Rx light does not flash, iFly has no position. Start simulation mode, as shown below.

Do a ground test

This test makes sure that the EZ Pilot receives data from iFly. It does not test the servo. Do the test with the engine off.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EZ PILOT HAS NO DATA

Make sure that the servo is disengaged. The SERVO POWER LED is off.
Keep iFly off. Set the EZ Pilot to ON.
Wait approximately 10 seconds.
Make sure that the EZ Pilot shows a flashing NO GPS.

TO SEND DATA WITH SIMULATION MODE

iFly sends NMEA data only when it has a position. Simulation mode gives a position and a speed on the ground.

Start iFly. Make sure that NMEA output is set (Option A, B or C).
Center the map on your airport.
Tap Menu › Start Simulation Mode › Show Simulation Controls.
Load a flight plan, or tap Menu › Fly Direct To and select a waypoint.
Use the simulation controls to increase the speed.
Tap Menu › About › Connected Devices. Make sure that the sentence count of the NMEA Output Controller increases.

TO EXAMINE THE EZ PILOT

Wait up to 7 seconds. NO GPS goes off and the navigation display shows.
Make sure that the TRK LED comes on.
Compare the EZ Pilot data with iFly: the waypoint identifier, the bearing to waypoint (BTW), the ground track (TRK) and the groundspeed (GS).
Change the simulated speed. Make sure that the EZ Pilot GS field changes.
Set iFly to OFF. Make sure that the EZ Pilot shows NO GPS after approximately 7 seconds.

WARNING

Stop simulation mode before flight. Simulated position and speed are not the aircraft data. Do not use simulation mode in flight.

EZ Pilot indications

INDICATION	MEANING
NO GPS (flashing)	No valid GPS data for more than 7 seconds. The EZ Pilot operates as a wing leveler. Use the L-R switch to turn the aircraft.
NO FPLAN	GPS data is valid, but no flight plan or GOTO is active. Use the CRS mode to fly a selected ground track.
TRK LED on	The EZ Pilot has valid data and can track the flight plan. This does not mean that the servo is engaged.
BTW, TRK, XTK, GS, ETE	Bearing to waypoint, ground track, cross-track error, groundspeed and estimated time en route. Compare these values with iFly.

Troubleshooting

CONDITION	ACTION
iFly GPS shows No Serial Ports, or NMEA Output is not in Setup	iFly does not find the cable. Connect the cable again. Try a different FTDI cable.
Sentence count in Connected Devices stays at zero	iFly has no position. Start simulation mode or get a GPS position.
Adapter Connect light is not green	The adapter is not paired, or it is not selected in iFly EFB. Do the pairing steps again.
Count increases, but the EZ Pilot shows NO GPS	Examine the data and ground wires. On the Docking Station, make sure that pin 2 (not pin 3) connects to J1 pin 7. Make sure that the Docking Station has DC power. Make sure that the baud rate is 4800.
EZ Pilot continues to show NO GPS with correct wiring	Make sure that RMC is selected. The EZ Pilot does not accept data without magnetic variation. The RMC sentence contains the magnetic variation.
EZ Pilot shows NO FPLAN	Load a flight plan or a Direct-To in iFly.
Data stops at intervals	Replace a Prolific-chipset cable with an FTDI cable.

BEFORE YOU FLY IT

Do the EZ Pilot preflight check in the Trio manual. Press the SERVO POWER pushbutton and make sure that the LED comes on. Move the ailerons to their extreme positions to make sure that the slip clutch lets you override the servo.

Press the pushbutton again. Make sure that the LED is off and the ailerons are free before takeoff.

The EZ Pilot disconnects the servo automatically at 25 knots GPS groundspeed. This is a backup feature only. Do not use it in place of a checklist item. After a new installation, the installer must also do the servo direction and servo neutral adjustment.

CONTACT SUPPORT

If this procedure does not solve the problem, contact iFly EFB support. In your request, give the device type and the iFly EFB version.

SUPPORT REQUEST	iflyefb.com/Support/Get-Help
EMAIL	support@adventurepilot.com
HOURS	Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time. Support replies by email.
KNOWLEDGE BASE	support.iflyefb.com
FAQ AND VIDEOS	Frequently Asked Questions · Video tutorials

ADVENTURE PILOT • iFLY EFB 14.0 • SUPPORT@ADVENTUREPILOT.COM