# Spin-a-Wind

> Aviation weather calculator for wind, temperature, altitude, and airspeed. (iPhone/iPad app by Len Robinson.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spin-a-wind/id327740080 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Len Robinson](https://appshunter.io/developer/327740083)
- Category: Utilities, Navigation
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 43 App Store ratings · 36 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 10 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-09-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-18
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spin-a-wind/id327740080/reviews.md

## What is Spin?

Featured in Flying Magazine July 2012 "8 Great Aviation Apps"!
Reviewed favorably on AOPA Flight Planning App Roulette 20 Nov 2012

Designed by an airline pilot, Spin-a-Wind calculates wind components, temperatures, altitudes and airspeeds. 

The headwind (tailwind) and crosswind components are based on the runway, and reported wind direction and speed.  If the airport has parallel runways, using the runway number closest to the actual magnetic heading of the runway gives the most accurate results.  The result is also displayed graphically.  Crosswind and tailwind components are rounded up, while the headwind component is rounded down, making sure that all results depict the worst case.  To instantly change to the opposite (reciprocal) runway, tap the runway number at the far end.

Spinning reels are used to make your selections.  No keyboard is necessary.  Results of calculations are displayed instantly when the last reel stops.  The app was designed for one handed use, and ease of operation.

The second item on the tab bar links you to a page with temperature conversions.  Enter the temperature in degrees Celsius, and instantly the Fahrenheit conversion is displayed, as well as the chill factor in °C and °F using the NWS Wind Chill index used by the U.S. and Canada. (note: the NWS Wind Chill index is not valid for greater than 50°F or less than 3 mph of wind.  Relative Humidity and Heat Stress Index are calculated using the entered Dewpoint Temperature.

The third item deals with altitudes, metric, pressure altitude and density altitude. Density altitude is diaplayed for assumed dry air, and also moist air (based upon the temp/dewpoint spread entered in the temperature page. 

The fourth item is the Airspeed Calculator.  It uses equations for TAS, mach, and speed of sound.  The equations used will be accurate even for the higher speeds of jet aircraft.

The fifth item on the tab bar moves  the view to the settings page.  Here, you can set your display speed units (kts, mph, kph) and pressure units(inHg, hPa, mb)  as well as the threshold points where the wind results turn amber (caution zone) and red (aircraft limits).

## Key features

- Wind component calculation (headwind, tailwind, crosswind)
- Temperature conversions and wind chill factor
- Altitude calculations (pressure, density)
- Airspeed calculator (TAS, Mach, speed of sound)
- Customizable units and caution thresholds
- One-handed, reel-based interface

## Chart rankings

- #182 in Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 36)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spin-a-wind/id327740080/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great for Aspen

*2022-10-17*

With the ever changing /switching winds for rwy 15/33, I have the app holding there to make timely decisions for tailwind components.

Pittie the fool

### 5/5 — Robert K

*2021-03-06*

Great program! When checking the winds for TO or landing, and their are winds of any speed I always check for headwinds and especially crosswinds. I have the aircraft’s demonstrated crosswind speed set for the yellow zone and my limits set for the red zone. Very helpful safety check. Please keep updating this program for newer operating systems. I want to keep using it. Thanks for the App.

### 5/5 — Upgrade

*2020-07-28*

Love the app use it often I wish I could move it to split screen on the new ForeFlight App
5230N

If it were upgraded to work with ForeFlight split screen ie would pay for the new version.

### 1/5 — Not accurate

*2020-06-16*

Can only use 10 degree increments and that is not accurate enough for my application

### 5/5 — grump

*2019-03-11*

Great legality snapshot on the fly!

### 5/5 — Great font size!

*2018-10-19*

Easy to use and interpret display. I use it on iPhone and iPad. The wind function is the best I've tried. 

I wish you could have a few choices for color options, especially on the wind page.

Also, it really needs a night mode.

### 5/5 — Does much more than wind!

*2017-04-06*

They should rename this app because it does sos much more than winds.  Maybe: Aviation calculator?

### 4/5 — Great just needs a slight tweak

*2016-06-21*

The app is really good all it needs is an update that makes the runway degrees not in 10s and just make it 1 degree 2 degree 3 degree ect ect

### 5/5 — M

*2016-03-29*

SUPER!!! BUY IT.  You will love it

### 5/5 — This is a great app!

*2016-03-04*

Ok, for the constructive criticism ...the graphics are a little cheesy. We don't need the lined paper look or the textures, but this app has everything necessary. The size of some of the graphics may seem large (note to developer: NEVER change the size or functionality to something slick ...just lose the colored textures). I used this app today while flying in turbulence on an iPad mini. The conditions were gusty and even while bouncing around I was able to quickly and efficiently determine my crosswind component. I have since explored this app further and set caution and limit wind values for my aircraft. I am not into emojis, but two thumbs up for this app.

## Frequently asked questions about Spin

### What does Spin-a-Wind do?

Spin-a-Wind is an aviation utility app designed to calculate crucial weather and performance data for pilots. It computes wind components (headwind, tailwind, crosswind), performs temperature conversions with wind chill, calculates various altitudes (pressure, density), and includes an airspeed calculator for TAS, Mach, and speed of sound.

### How does the wind component calculation work?

The app calculates headwind, tailwind, and crosswind components based on the reported wind direction and speed, and the selected runway heading. It offers graphical display of results and rounds up tailwind/crosswind components and rounds down headwind components to represent the worst-case scenario.

### What are the temperature and altitude features?

The temperature section provides instant conversions between Celsius and Fahrenheit, along with wind chill calculations. It also calculates the Heat Stress Index. The altitude section computes pressure altitude and density altitude, considering both dry and moist air conditions.

### Is Spin-a-Wind compatible with my device?

While specific OS version requirements are not detailed, the app is designed for mobile devices and emphasizes one-handed use, suggesting compatibility with common smartphone and tablet form factors.

### What is the pricing for Spin-a-Wind?

Based on the provided information, the application is a paid app. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.7.1 — 2015-01-23

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Updated code and design to iOS 8.  Redesigned Info/settings page.  Added user selection for wind direction arrow (like weather vane), or wind vector arrow (like wind sock).

### 2.6 — 2013-04-24

Added features from users' suggestions.  Runway and wind direction reels now scroll continuously.  Mph option is added to true airspeed/mach calculator.

### 2.5.1 — 2013-01-30

Added meters per second (mps) option for wind speeds to match iPhone version.  Also added bug fix for screen formatting and rotation on iPad.

### 2.5 — 2013-01-24

Added formatting for iPhone 5.  Also added mps units for wind speed.

### 2.4 — 2011-11-17

Added reciprocal runway on the wind view.  A touch on reciprocal number instantly spins the runway around.  Changed launch icon.

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## Related topics

[spin a wind](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spin-a-wind) · [runway wind calculator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/runway-wind-calculator)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-18.*
