Redbird Announces New "Navigator” Operating System

Starting a training session in a Redbird Flight Simulator is as easy as taking your iPhone out of your pocket.

Redbird Flight Simulations has announced a new operating system for its simulators called Navigator. Navigator provides users a simpler and more connected way to operate Redbird Flight Simulators. Using a variety of portable personal devices (tablets, smartphones, and laptops), Navigator allows flight school operators, instructors, and students the opportunity to control the simulator in a variety of ways and share that information through cloud-based software.

“Redbird is constantly working to enhance the user experience for our customers by advancing and improving upon our technologies,” said Todd Willinger, CEO for Redbird Flight Simulations, “Navigator will allow valuable information to be accessed, shared, and controlled on multiple platforms to make for an overall smoother training experience.”

In the initial release, Navigator will come with three applications – Instructor Station, Dispatch, and Simulator Management. The Instructor Station app is an upgraded and enhanced version of the familiar feature used to operate and control the simulator environment. Dispatch allows users to launch and save flights, as well as start in a free flight mode. It will also serve as the platform to launch Redbird’s upcoming Guided Interactive Flight Training (GIFT) course, where the simulator itself guides and scores a student through various maneuvers. The Simulator Management feature allows customers to easily update software, track billing, and open a case with Redbird support.

In later releases, Navigator will give third-party applications access to the simulator with a standardized interface. Redbird is hopeful that this feature will help kick start innovative product developments for the training industry. Willinger added “we’re in the beginning stages of developing a robust, third-party app ecosystem for Navigator that will allow customers to download and install a wide range of add-on tools.”

Navigator was developed in Redbird’s flight training laboratory, Redbird Skyport and will enter beta testing with a select group of flight schools immediately after Sun n’ Fun. Redbird is planning on making Navigator available to current customers starting on June 1^st.

Those attending the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In and Expo will be able to see Navigator being used in real time as the simulator operating platform for the instructors and students participating in the AOPA and Redbird “One Week Ready to Solo” event.