cgregoire's blog

Redbird and Xwind Move Flight Training

Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc. and Xwind, LLC join forces to bring affordable motion technologies to the flight training industry.

Redbird Aims to Ease Pain at the Pump

Austin, Texas, August 7, 2008 - If you think it's costly to hit the road for a weekend of fun, it's even worse for those who prefer the air.

Recreational pilots are faced with fuel costs would give most automobile owners' nightmares.  Imagine pulling into the corner service station store and seeing prices per gallon that top $6.00 or even $7.00 per gallon.  That's what General Aviation pilots at many airports are faced with today. 

Xwind at AirVenture 2008

Wow! Oshkosh 2008 has come and gone already!  The Xwind was unveiled as the new Redbird Xwind.  Over 120 pilots took a test drive of the Xwind product, and about 100 pilots attended the Xwind forum on crosswind landings.  Serial number 006 was sold at the show and installed in Minneapolis on August 4, 2008.

Xwind Goes to Germany

Michael Franzin from Hamburg, Germany is now the proud owner of the Xwind 200
crosswind landing simulator. His unit will be installed at his local flying field inside the
club hall on the North side of Hamburg.

Michael's facility will be used for training of pilots from the club and for pilots who fly
in from central Europe. He is planning to introduce the simulator and it's capability at
the major airshows.

After going through extensive training on the simulator at Xwind in Indianapolis and

Redbird is Bound for AirVenture 2008

Summer is fast approaching which means that we are finalizing plans for our annual migration north to "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration."  Hosted annually at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI, AirVenture is one of the largest airshows and aviation conventions in the world.  Each year It attracts more than 560,000 visitors, 10,000 aircraft and 750 exhibitors.  This July, we will be among the flock of exhibitors.

Aero-News Podcast Interview

In February of 2008, Aero-News Network interviewed Xwind President, Brad Whitsitt.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Redbird is Headed for Florida

Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc. is hitting the road for the 2008 aviation year, starting with Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, FL.

We'll be set up in booth N-070, located outside in the North Exhibits between hangers A and B.  We'll bring an SD, an FMX and some other goodies for demonstration, as well as copies of our instructors and administrators software so that you can get the full Redbird experience. Stop by anytime between 9:00am and 5:00pm (13:00 - 21:00 UTC) to see the simulators for yourself.  We're sure that you'll be impressed.

Crosswind Landing Survey Results

Crosswind Landing Survey Results
By: Brad Whitsitt (xwindsim.com)

Xwind, LLC conducted an online survey during 2007 to evaluate pilot knowledge and confidence regarding crosswind landings. Here are the conclusions that we reached by looking at the data collected. For those pilots who took time to participate, we extend our gratitude. We can’t guarantee that these results are valid, but you may find these insights useful.

About the survey

Crosswind Landings

Did you know?  Crosswinds are the number one cause of weather related General Aviation accidents every year?  The NTSB counted 2684 GA accidents that were weather related from 1995 through 2001.  25% were due to crosswinds.  In fact, the top two, Crosswinds and Gusts make up 45% of weather related accidents.  In comparison, Low Ceilings account for 7% and Icing just 2% of weather related accidents.

The Redbird Team Welcomes New Members

We are happy to announce the addition of the former director and engineer of the Clean Water Project for the City of Austin, Texas, Andy Dasso, as our new Vice President of Engineering and Procurement. Also joining the team is John Land, formerly the Senior Software Engineer for Activant Solutions, Inc., as our Vice President of Software and Systems Development. We are very pleased to have these guys on-board.