Connecting Your Tablet
Increase Realism with an EFB
Introduction
Many real-world pilots use an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) on an iPad or other tablet while flying. EFBs can be used to retrieve charts, plan routes, check weather, and more, while in the air and while planning a flight.
Depending on which EFB you use, there is a good chance you can connect it to your simulator, where it will function almost exactly as if you were in the real airplane. Using the simulator as the "source" for the EFB, you'll be able to view your aircraft's position, moving maps, synthetic vision, and other flight parameters. In some cases, you can even view real-time flight data, such as pitch and bank, and record your flight so you can review and debrief later.
Some simmers opt for a dedicated mount, like this one from Sporty's, to better place the tablet within their setup.
Connection Instructions
The tabs below showcase popular EFB apps for simulator pilots and provide instructions on how to connect each app to your flight simulator. In order for the connection to work properly, your tablet must be on same Wi-Fi network as the computer running the simulator.
Navigraph Charts provide aeronautical charts and flight planning for VFR and IFR flight simulation. The data is sourced from Jeppesen, which ensures synchronized information between all apps and software.
Navigraph's apps for iOS, Android, iPhone and Windows/Apple Desktop are connected to your simulator using Simlink client software, which displays your simulated aircraft's position in real-time on moving maps for increased situational awareness.
ForeFlight is one of the most popular EFB apps for real-world pilots and is available via subscription. It can be connected to a variety of flight simulation platforms:
FltPlan Go is a free EFB app designed for real pilots and flight simmers. It's available for iPad, iPhone, Android, and Windows devices.
Within FltPlan Go, users can access charts (for free) for Canada and the United States.
To connect FltPlan Go to your flight simulator:
Connecting to MSFS is not natively supported, but this open-source plugin exists for those who are technically minded.
Garmin Pilot is a popular EFB apps for real-world pilots, available via subscription. It supports connecting to MSFS and X-Plane. In the Garmin Pilot app, go to Settings > Flight Simulation and follow the on-screen instructions to connect.
Although it's not an EFB itself, the XMapsy EFB connector, compatible with MSFS, X-Plane, Prepar3D, and FSX, can be used to connect almost any EFB to any simulator. XMapsy will also depict traffic from the simulator on your EFB, replicating the ADS-B traffic visualization that many EFBs offer.
Visit the XMapsy website for details and purchasing information.
Use Cases for Real-World Training
For real-world pilots, connecting your EFB to the simulator is an excellent way to explore features you may not normally use in day-to-day flying. The simulator provides a low-pressure environment to try out different workflows, test advanced tools, and practice scenarios you might encounter in real life. By experimenting with alternate ways to enter a clearance, modify a route, or complete a checklist, you may discover shortcuts or techniques that make you more efficient in the cockpit.
Situational Awareness
Most EFBs can display your simulated aircraft’s position in real time—just like they do in the airplane. This gives you the opportunity to practice monitoring your progress, following a cleared route, or keeping an eye on terrain and airspace boundaries. You can even rehearse approaches or complicated procedures by tracking your position on the moving map.
Briefing
The simulator is a perfect place to refine your preflight workflow using your EFB’s planning and briefing tools. Practice importing routes from your sim, adding weather overlays, and reviewing NOTAMs, charts, and runway data. Treat it like a real flight: brief your departure, enroute, and arrival procedures, then follow along in the sim to see how the plan plays out.
Experiment
Simulators also let you try features you might otherwise overlook. For example, some EFBs include a glide advisor that can estimate your reachable airports in the event of an engine failure. Rehearsing this in the sim is a safe, cost-free way to build muscle memory for how you’d actually use the tool in a real emergency. Or, on a clear day, try flying a simulated VFR cross-country with your EFB and note prominent terrain, landmarks, or towers along the route—knowledge that translates directly to real-world flying.
Ultimately, the simulator makes it easy to push buttons, test features, and repeat scenarios at your own pace—without the pressure of burning avgas or staying ahead of a moving airplane. By connecting your EFB to your sim, you’re not just enhancing the simulation—you’re also sharpening real-world skills in a way that’s affordable, safe, and effective.