Redbird™ Xwind
Since the early days of powered flight, pilots have struggled to learn
proper crosswind landing techniques. Even today, most crosswind skill is learned
through trial and error ... sometimes with disastrous results. Believe it or
not, the most common contributing factor in weather related accidents each year
is crosswinds. The second most common factor is wind gusts. In fact crosswinds
and wind gusts cause more accidents than fog, thunderstorms, and icing combined!
That’s where the Redbird Xwind comes in. It attacks those top two factors in
weather related accidents by placing pilots in gusty, crosswind scenarios for
extended periods of time in order to make pilot reactions to crosswinds
automatic. It lets you master the crosswind landing without risking an accident.
The Power to Move You
The Redbird Xwind utilizes a unique motion platform that accurately mimics the forces felt during those crucial 5 seconds during a crosswind landing in which the plane must interact with the ground. The platform delivers 60° of roll, 90° of yaw and 14’ of lateral drift. This motion, along with the proper peripheral visual cues, strengthens a pilot’s skills to better recognize alignment, bank angle, and lateral position over the centerline.
Winds 090 at 30 Gust 45…Landing and Departing Runway 18
Hopefully you’ll never hear that coming over the ATIS as you approach an airport
for landing. If you do, you might want to strongly consider finding another
airport, especially if the aircraft you are flying is only tested for a 15 knot
crosswind component. Making proper go/no-go decisions is a large part of being a
safe pilot. That’s why the Redbird Xwind is capable of simulating up to 30 knots
of left or right crosswind component with gusts of up to 15 knots. Most
crosswind training should take place with more reasonable winds, but it’s
important for the pilot to be able to recognize when it’s impossible to hold
that centerline and practice proper decision making.
Take a Look Outside
It may sound obvious, but getting into the habit of looking down the runway can mean the difference between a safe landing and disaster. Pilots often fail to look where they should during a challenging landing. When you climb into the Xwind, you won't be looking at a computer screen, you will be looking down a simulated runway centerline with distant vision. This trains the pilot to raise the chin, look outside the confines of the cockpit, and exercise their peripheral vision to quickly gather information about yaw, bank angle and lateral position. To aid in the training process, we have even included laser markers for reference.
It's
a Breeze
The Redbird Xwind, like all Redbird products was designed with ease of operation
in mind. The instructor sets wind directions and speed using an intuitive
control panel, allowing the instructor to focus on the training session instead
of the simulator. The entire sim runs off one standard 20 amp circuit, so there
are no special power requirements. And with the built in Hobbs meter, tracking
usage time is as easy as in a real aircraft.
More Information
Click here to locate an Xwind in your area
Click here to watch a short video about the Xwind
Click here to view some photos of the Redbird Xwind
Purchasing Information
Price: $28,900.00
Includes:
- Installation kit
- One year limited warranty (parts and labor)*
Excludes:
- Shipping and installation at customer site
- Applicable taxes, tariffs, and fees associated with export or import
* Additional options for pre-paid maintenance after expiration of
first year warranty are
available. Contact us for details.
(Prices may be subject to change. All prices assume sale within the United States of America only. International prices may vary.)