Redbird introduces advanced mixed-reality training platform at EAA AirVenture 2024

“For several years, we have been working on developing mixed-reality solutions that are practical and affordable for a variety of use cases in aviation education and training without compromising on fidelity, and we think this new platform is a promising pathway toward accomplishing that goal,” said Redbird CEO Todd Willinger. “It is capable of being fully integrated into the Redbird Navigator operating system, allowing us to support it and our customers to install and use it free of the hassles of off-the-shelf virtual reality offerings.”

ACE will use the technology throughout its programs, ranging from engaging pre-kindergarten and elementary school students to helping flight students and lapsed pilots develop visual flying skills.

“Mixed-reality simulation is going to make flight training more accessible and immersive than anything we have seen in the last 50 years,” said ACE v-p and COO Eric Crump. “The platform Redbird is developing offers tremendous flexibility on one device. It could become the Swiss Army Knife of aviation education.”

Also at AirVenture this year, Redbird announced a partnership to help support Elephants, Rhinos & People (ERP) Air Force, which plans to fly a fleet of four backcountry aircraft equipped with wildlife tracking and infrared cameras on anti-poaching patrols and herd-monitoring missions in Namibia. Redbird hosted a reception at its booth to raise awareness and fundraise for ERP’s efforts.

Redbird further unveiled a new collection of its Pro scenarios that participants of the FAA's WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program can complete with a flight instructor in an aviation training device for approved flight credits. Available via the Redbird Pro iOS or Android app, the scenarios are designed to challenge and improve a pilot's skills in flying ILS, localizer, and RNAV approaches and provide a preflight brief with weather conditions, phase and location of the flight, and an approach plate. A CFI must be present for a pilot to receive WINGS flight credits, Redbird noted.