BASIC X-IVAP FUNCTIONS FOR X-PLANE

1. Introduction
The following content will instruct you how to use x-IvAp properly. This is just a short overview for the
basics required for the PP exam.
Please note - this document is designed for use with the x-IvAp version which works only with X-plane
simulator.
For complete a complete explanation and a list of all commands and functions, and for any additional setup
instructions, please refer to the latest x-IvAp manual.

2. General x-IvAp windows layout

In the picture above you can see the pilots client after start-up of version 0.3.0
By clicking on the button next to MAIN>, you will find the main display that is used for several entries and
notifications. By clicking MAIN> again, you are brought back to the first menu.
The screen you are looking at can be divided into several parts:

Part which includes the command buttons next to the black screen, 6 each per side. [RED]
Part which includes the dialog box written in white with black background [YELLOW]
Part which includes the online/offline status [BLUE]
Part which includes transponder information [VIOLET]
Part which includes action button [GREEN]

Basic X-IvAp function for X-plane

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2.1.

Status lights

On the right hand side of the client, four status lights can be found which provide information about
important factors:
FP status indicator: it is ERR when no flight plan has been sent yet and will change to SENT once
the flight plan is sent.
NET status indicator: it is CONN if the connection between IvAp and the IVAO network is
successful and DISC if it is not.

2.2.

Transponder

Above the status lights is transponder section which includes:

Four digits black window indicating your present squawk code.

The ID or IDENT button must only be used after ATC has instructed you to do so. This function
makes your radar target flash on the controllers radar screen. The ATC will instruct a pilot to click
that button by saying the phrase SQUAWK IDENT.
A switch to toggle the status from standby (STBY) to active (TX).

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Be aware that when flying, you must set this toggle switch to STBY when you are on the apron or on
taxiways (taxiing, on gate) and to TX when you are on the runway and flying

2.3.

Action buttons

In the bottom right of the IvAp window, there are two action buttons:

TCAS button: TCAS stands for Traffic Collision Avoidance System. By clicking on the button, a
new small window opens, simulating a TCAS window (see next chapter for a TCAS presentation)
CONN button: used to connect to or to disconnect from the IVAO Network (called IVAN).

3. Dialog Box Layout and Command Buttons

This display shown below is the MAIN display window of x-IvAp.

3.1.

The upper part

The upper part includes:

2 VHF frequencies VHF1 and VHF2
<T/R> indication which indicates which frequency is currently active (Transmit/Received)
ACARS>> button that opens another menu (see next chapters)
SYSTEM>> button that opens the parameter menu (see next chapters)

Basic X-IvAp function for X-plane

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Training Documentation Manager Erwan Lhotellier

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3.2.

The middle part

The middle part between the two dashed lines is a log and chat window for several outputs, such as:

Text radio communications from a pilot or an ATC

controller requests to contact him
UNICOM message
Server and Broadcast Messages for all members

All messages displayed in red are private chat messages. They are do not originate from any frequency.

3.3.

The lower part

The lower part is an input area for text input, also called the scratchpad.
There are many possibilities for use of this zone:
Interact on frequency by typing your messages in.
Interact with software by using text commands. These commands are initiated by using a dot .,
followed by the command letter then your message

Be aware that IvAp automatically inserts your call sign before your message in IvAp.
Here are the most important and most used commands for the IVAP scratchpad:
Send a private message: .msg <callsign> <message> or .m <callsign> <message>
Reply to last private message: .r <message>
Open a chat window: .chat <callsign>
Set frequency on active COM1 radio: .c1 <frequency>
Set frequency on active COM2 radio: .c2 <frequency>
Change transponder code: .x <4 digit squawk code>
Request METAR of an airport: .METAR <ICAOcode>
Request TAF of an airport: .TAF <ICAOcode>
Request ATIS of an ATC unit: .atis <ATCunit>
Inform all online supervisors: .wallop <message>
Disable voice (while connected): .novoice
Enable voice (while connected): .voice
Set primary altimeter to barometric value: .QNH <QNH> or .ALT <Altimeter>
Basic X-IvAp function for X-plane
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4. Radio Functions
In the MAIN IvAp window, you will find the radio communication button and relevant feedback:

There are 2 VHF frequencies. One active and one Stand-by. The active frequency is indicated with
the <T/R> active sign.

If you left click on the button with your mouse, you can change the frequency value using the
communication selection window. If you see <T/R> in front of the previous frequency, this means that this
channel is the active radio channel.
In the communication window, you will find a list of available ATC positions with their frequencies.

Just left click on your selected ATC, to change the frequency (example: LFCR_APP).
You can use previous page or next page button in order to browse the ATC list.

In x-IvAp, you have two different frequencies COM1 and COM2, if you dont see <T/R> in front of the
previous frequency or ATC, this frequency is considered as a standby communication frequency.
Just left click on ACT COM2, in order to set COM2 as the active frequency.

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5. Sub Menus ACARS

Definition: ACARS is Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System.

5.1.

Enter in ACARS page

By clicking on the button next to ACARS> in the MAIN screen, a new menu with several options appears:

5.2.

Get METAR and TAF information

You can get your departure and arrival airports METAR, by clicking on the first or second button next to the
corresponding ICAO code of these airports.

And another method:

Insert one ICAO airfield code into the scratchpad (example: KJFK)
Click the proper <REQ button. Then, you will receive a TAF, SHORTTAF or a METAR.

Pay attention that TAF and SHORTTAF are available only at some large airfields.

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5.3.

Get the ATIS from an active ATC

You can get the ATIS from an active ATC:

Insert the active ATC position into the scratchpad (example SBUL_APP)
Click the RQ ATIS> button

5.4.

Send Flight plan

The SEND FPLN> button will open a new window in which the flight plan must be completed.

The figure below shows an empty flight plan to complete (consult the flight plan documentation for further
details).

Here are the main points:

: Your chosen call sign (radio title of your aircraft)

: Your flight rules and type of flight
: Your aircraft code (ICAO) and its wake turbulence
category

: Departure airfield ICAO code

: True air speed (N=knots, K=km/h) expected en route
: Altitude or flight level (feet/100 or FL)
: Route
: Arrival airfield ICAO code
: Remarks
: Your real name (rules and regulation IVAO)

You must complete your flight plan before connecting to IVAO.

Basic X-IvAp function for X-plane
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Training Documentation Manager Erwan Lhotellier

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6. TCAS
A traffic collision avoidance system or traffic alert and collision avoidance system, both abbreviated as
TCAS (pronounced tee-kas), is an aircraft collision avoidance system which monitors the airspace around
an aircraft for other aircraft equipped with a corresponding active transponder, independent of air traffic
control, and warns pilots of the presence of other transponder-equipped aircraft which may present a threat
of a mid-air collision.
In X-IvAp windows, TCAS can be activated using the TCAS button on the interface

A new window opens and shows a deactivated TCAS with message TCAS OFF like the image below.
In this window, there are 4 zones where users can click using the mouse in order to change the TCAS
parameters highlighted in the picture below with orange rectangles/
This zone can change the horizontal range of the TCAS.
Possible values are: 3, 5, 10, 20 or 40 NM
This zone can change the vertical visibility range of the TCAS.
Possible values are: ALL, NORM, BLW, ABV
NORM= all traffic from your current altitude 2700ft is displayed
ALL = all traffic is displayed
ABV = all traffic from your current altitude -2700ft to +9000ft is displayed
BLW = all traffic from your current altitude -9000ft to +2700ft is displayed
This zone can change the state of TCAS system:
STBY=OFF, TA=ON (traffic advisory), RA=ON (resolution advisory)
This zone can switch the STATUS sound ON or OFF.

Now, with this new image, we can see:

5NM range
All traffic is displayed (no altitude filtering)

One traffic in traffic advisory (green dot) at +400ft and climbing

Your aircraft position representation (little green aircraft symbol)

One another close traffic at +700ft (white sign)

TCAS is ON and Traffic advisory mode

Basic X-IvAp function for X-plane

IVAO

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Training Documentation Manager Erwan Lhotellier

This manual is dedicated only for IVAOTM Network activities. This document must not be used in real aviation or in other networks

7. X-IvAp configuration file

For better performance, the file x-ivap.conf, which can be found on subdirectory X-Plane
10\Resources\plugins\X-IvAp Resources shall be modified and add the following new parameters.
[PREFERENCES]
PRVTMSGSOUND=1
TAGGING=1
MULTIPLAYER=1
WEATHER=1
DARK=1
VOICE=0
FIXEDWINDLAYER=1
MAXVISIBILITY=80000
TURBULANCE=15
[PLANE]
RESOLUTION=8
FIXEDWINDLAYER =1
When this is set to 1, x-IvAp uses the middle wind layer of the FSD and lets x-plane interpolate the wind
speed/directions during climb/descent. If this is set to 0, x-IvAp updates the middle wind layer , but the
updates during descent/climb depending are sometimes far behind the actual plane's altitude.
TURBULANCE = 15
With this parameter, the user can regulate the amount of turbulence coming from FSD. Actually this is a xplane 10 problem, with standard value of 4 you might crash during climb or descent in a cloud. A value of
15 is better.
MAXVISIBILITY=80000
User can set the max visibility to max 100 KM. (was 40 km)
RESOLUTION=8
Set this to 8, gets the best performance of the CSL models. (Other planes)
You can add also these parameters
MESSAGESVISIBLE=1
Set 0 or 1. Enable to show text messages in upper right corner. Useful for reading text messages, when
main plugin's window is hidden
MESSAGESSHOWDURATION=5
Set time in seconds for show text messages in upper right corner.

Basic X-IvAp function for X-plane

IVAO

HQ training department

Version 2.1

November 1, 2014

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Training Documentation Manager Erwan Lhotellier

This manual is dedicated only for IVAOTM Network activities. This document must not be used in real aviation or in other networks