Redbird Flight Simulations
Redbird Flight Simulations is an Austin-based manufacturer of FAA- and EASA-certified flight training simulators serving flight schools, individual pilots, and K-12 STEM programs with a product range from $2,995 desktop devices to $104,900 full-motion professional simulators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Redbird Flight Simulations does
Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc. is a privately held Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of aviation training simulators founded in 2006. The company designs and sells a tiered portfolio of flight training devices ranging from consumer desktop units (Jay at $2,995) to professional full-motion simulators (MCX at $104,900), with FAA AATD, FAA BATD, and EASA FNPT II certifications that allow flight schools to log training hours against regulator requirements. Supporting products include the Alloy RD1 rudder pedals, Insight debriefing station, GIFT simulator-based curriculum software (sold on subscription), and the Redbird Pro iPad flight training application.
The company's revenue model combines one-time hardware sales (across consumer, SMB, and enterprise tiers), subscription software revenue (GIFT), and financing services that lower the purchase barrier for flight schools. Distribution spans a self-serve e-commerce site (simulators.redbirdflight.com), an enterprise sales team, physical retail outlets, and a dedicated international sales operation serving North America, broader global markets, and India. Marketing is anchored on content (Redbird Landing blog, State of Flight Training annual report), community events (Migration Conference, EAA AirVenture), and active social channels.
Redbird serves three primary customer segments: flight schools and training organizations (its core enterprise buyer), individual pilots seeking home-based proficiency tools, and K-12/STEM programs using rugged desktop devices for aviation awareness. The firm holds SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance on the MCX platform, employs 51-100 people, and operates without disclosed external funding or a parent company.
Redbird Flight Simulations firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Redbird Flight Simulations
- Legal name
- Redbird Flight Simulations, Inc.
- Website
- https://redbirdflight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Redbird Flight Simulations is an Austin-based manufacturer of FAA- and EASA-certified flight training simulators serving flight schools, individual pilots, and K-12 STEM programs with a product range from $2,995 desktop devices to $104,900 full-motion professional simulators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Redbird Flight Simulations industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Flight Simulation Training Devices
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Flight Training (611512)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Racing & Flight Simulation Hardware (Wheels, Pedals, HOTAS) (HDACANAE), Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where Redbird Flight Simulations is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Redbird Flight Simulations business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of flight simulators ranging from professional full-motion devices ($49,900-$104,900) to desktop and home training devices ($2,995-$8,995), along with accessories like rudder pedals and monitoring stations
- Financing Services: Simulator financing options offered to enable flight schools and organizations to acquire equipment through payment plans
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MCX - Full-Motion, Dual-Control Professional Simulator |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | FMX - Full-Motion, Single Flight Control Simulator |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | SD - Fully Enclosed AATD Simulator |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | TD - BATD Desktop Simulator |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Jay - Desktop Simulator |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Jay Velocity - Robust Desktop Simulator |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Alloy RD1 Rudder Pedals |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Insight - External Monitoring and Debriefing Station |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | GIFT - Guided Independent Flight Training |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Redbird Flight Simulations product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Redbird Flight Simulations designs, manufactures, and sells FAA- and EASA-certified flight training simulators and accessories for flight schools, training organizations, and individual pilots. Its portfolio spans professional full-motion AATD/FNPT II devices (MCX, FMX, SD), desktop BATD units (TD, Jay, Jay Velocity), supporting hardware (Alloy RD1 rudder pedals, Insight debriefing station), and software/training tools (GIFT curriculum, Redbird Pro iPad app).
Product overview
Redbird Flight Simulations offers a comprehensive portfolio of flight training simulators spanning professional full-motion devices, desktop simulators, and home-based training solutions. The product line includes high-end simulators (MCX, FMX, SD, TD) that serve flight schools and professional training organizations, with FAA AATD and EASA FNPT II certifications on key models. Supporting products include the Alloy RD1 rudder pedals and Insight debriefing station as accessories, plus software solutions like GIFT (Guided Independent Flight Training) and the Redbird Pro iPad app. The company positions itself at the intersection of hardware devices and training methodology, offering financing options and retail outlets for its simulator ecosystem.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Redbird Pro: iPad-based flight training application for pilots
- Redbird GIFT
- Redbird MCX
- Redbird FMX
- Redbird SD
- Redbird TD
- Redbird Jay
- Redbird Jay Velocity
Products and services
- MCX Full-motion, dual-control piston aircraft simulator certified as FAA AATD and EASA FNPT II, designed for flight schools to provide enhanced training from student pilot to professional crew. Starting at $104,900.
- FMX Full-motion, single flight control Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) offering a superior-quality, feature-rich simulator priced for real-world flight training organizations. Starting at $79,900.
- SD Fully enclosed Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) simulator positioned as an affordable certified training solution for flight schools. Starting at $49,900.
- TD BATD (Basic Aviation Training Device) desktop simulator that places advanced flight training tools into a compact device suitable for individual pilots and flight schools. Starting at $8,995; FAA BATD certified.
- Jay Entry-level desktop simulator that lets pilots keep their skills sharp and stay mentally in the cockpit even when they cannot make it to the airport. Starting at $2,995.
- Jay Velocity Highly robust desktop simulator designed for demanding environments such as middle and high schools, museums, and public access kiosks. Starting at $4,595.
- Alloy RD1 Rudder Pedals Professional-grade rudder pedals designed to mimic exactly what a pilot would expect while flying, taking simulation to the next level of realism. Priced at $599.
- Insight External Monitoring and Debriefing Station External monitoring and debriefing station that integrates with Redbird's flight simulators to render outside view of the aircraft and live video feed onto an external display. Priced at $5,595.
- GIFT (Guided Independent Flight Training) Simulator-based maneuvers training supplement designed to help train better pilots for less cost, covering the private pilot training curriculum. Sold via subscription; pricing available via Contact Sales.
- Redbird Pro iPad-based flight training application providing scenario-based training, scoring, and flight logging capabilities for pilots, integrated with Redbird simulators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Significant cost reduction compared to traditional aircraft-based training hours
Companies that use Redbird Flight Simulations
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Redbird Flight Simulations technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Redbird Flight Simulations partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- EASAcoreEuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency certification (FNPT II) for flight training devices, enabling European customers to use Redbird simulators for licensed pilot training.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Redbird Flight Simulations competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CAE: Global leader in aviation training and flight simulation, producing full-motion simulators and providing pilot training services for commercial, business, and military aviation. Competes with Redbird's enterprise-tier MCX and FMX in the flight school and airline training market, though CAE primarily serves larger operators with higher-end Level D devices.
- FlightSafety International: Major provider of professional flight training and high-fidelity flight simulators, operating training centers worldwide. While its core business is operating training centers rather than selling simulators, it directly overlaps with Redbird's certified AATD/FNPT II product positioning for professional pilot training.
- TRU Simulation + Training: Subsidiary of Textron Aviation manufacturing full-flight simulators and aviation training devices for commercial, military, and general aviation. Operates as a broader incumbent with diversified simulator programs, competing with Redbird in the flight training device segment.
Direct peers
- Frasca International: US-based manufacturer of flight training devices and full-flight simulators for general aviation, airlines, and military customers. Produces FAA- and EASA-certified training devices at price points and certification tiers directly comparable to Redbird's MCX, FMX, and SD product family.
- Precision Flight Controls: Manufacturer of high-end flight simulation controls, yokes, throttles, and rudder pedals for home, school, and professional training applications. Directly comparable to Redbird's Alloy RD1 rudder pedals and complementary to its desktop and home simulator lines.
- Alsim: French manufacturer of FAA- and EASA-certified flight training devices targeting flight schools with a product line of ALX, DA20/40/42, and CAPTURE configurations. Comparable mid-market positioning to Redbird's MCX, FMX, and SD with similar regulatory certifications.
- Elite Simulation Solutions: Manufacturer of professional flight training devices and simulation solutions, including the Elite PI-1000 and related products with FAA and international certifications. Direct peer in the certified aviation training device market for flight schools.
- Reiser Simulation and Training: German manufacturer of full-flight simulators and training devices for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, with EASA certification. Comparable as a European-certified simulator manufacturer serving flight schools and training organizations.
Emerging players
- VirtualFly: Spanish manufacturer of home and professional flight training hardware including the SOLO and Instructor Cockpit products. Competes with Redbird's Jay and TD desktop lines in the consumer and prosumer pilot training segment.
- FlyThisSim Technologies: Provider of FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs) for piston and turbine aircraft, focused on flight schools seeking certified training devices. Direct peer in the certified AATD segment competing with Redbird's SD and FMX offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Redbird Flight Simulations social profiles
Digital presenceRedbird Flight Simulations compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Redbird Flight Simulations financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Redbird Flight Simulations leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Redbird Flight Simulations funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Redbird Flight Simulations M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Redbird Flight Simulations
What does Redbird Flight Simulations do?
Redbird Flight Simulations designs, manufactures, and sells FAA- and EASA-certified flight training simulators and accessories for flight schools, training organizations, and individual pilots. Its portfolio spans professional full-motion AATD/FNPT II devices (MCX, FMX, SD), desktop BATD units (TD, Jay, Jay Velocity), supporting hardware (Alloy RD1 rudder pedals, Insight debriefing station), and software/training tools (GIFT curriculum, Redbird Pro iPad app).
Is Redbird Flight Simulations a public or private company?
Redbird Flight Simulations is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Redbird Flight Simulations founded?
Redbird Flight Simulations was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Redbird Flight Simulations based?
Redbird Flight Simulations is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Redbird Flight Simulations make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are financing Services.
Who are Redbird Flight Simulations's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CAE, FlightSafety International and TRU Simulation + Training. Direct peers are Frasca International, Precision Flight Controls, Alsim, Elite Simulation Solutions and Reiser Simulation and Training. Emerging players are VirtualFly and FlyThisSim Technologies.
Does Redbird Flight Simulations have an API?
No public API is recorded for Redbird Flight Simulations.
What industry is Redbird Flight Simulations in?
Redbird Flight Simulations's product category is Flight Simulation Training Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAN, Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment, with a secondary code of HDACANAE, Racing & Flight Simulation Hardware (Wheels, Pedals, HOTAS). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.