xWind vs Handy Pilot
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
xWind
This tool helps pilots quickly assess wind conditions relative to aircraft limitations. It displays essential wind data, including headwind, crosswind, and tailwind components, along with runway course and wind limits on a single screen for easy reference during flight.
- Headwind, crosswind, and tailwind calculation
- Displays current wind direction and speed
- Shows runway course
- Indicates applied wind limits
- Identifies 'forbidden' wind angles
- Provides maximum wind speed table
- Adjustable wind and runway settings
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xWind is an easy to use tool to assist pilots in evaluating wind conditions with respect to head, cross and tailwind limitations. Once setup, the xWind app provides all information in one single screen, requiring minimal user interaction during high workload phases of flight, displaying: - Current wind direction and speed - Runway course - Cross and head or tailwind components - Currently applied wind limits - 'Forbidden' wind angles based on the current wind speed - Maximum wind speed table based on current wind limits Reference wind, runway course, as well as wind limits, can all be adjusted on the main screen by either dragging the wind arrow, course rose or wind limit lines. A settings button at the bottom presents a popup screen where both the units for wind speed (Kts or Mps) and the default values for wind limits can be specified. In addition to the general setting for wind speed units, the user can select the alternative units for only the current wind, wind components and maximum winds table by double tapping the wind display at the top of the main screen. When operating from a Kts country into Mps territory, this option allows to set the current wind and see the maximum allowed winds in Mps, based on limits that are still set in Kts. Or vice versa.... xWinds supports iOS darkmode.
Handy Pilot
This app offers a suite of aviation-specific calculation tools for pilots of all levels. It simplifies complex flight planning and in-flight adjustments with features like unit conversion, wind component calculation, and descent rate planning. Enhance your flight efficiency and safety with these essential tools.
- Unit Converter for flight operations
- Time Calculator for flight planning
- Turning Radius and STD Rate Turn calculations
- Wind Component and Limitation calculators
- Descent Rate and Path Angle calculators
- ILS and PAPI indication calculations
- Holding Entry Pattern and Load Factor calculations
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"Handy Pilot" is designed to be used not only by trainees but also by professional pilots. It will become the best partner that can perform complex calculations on your behalf. With this app, your daily flight will definitely become smarter. Enjoy Handy Pilot and have a safe flight. Tools : "Unit Converter" - converts units used in everyday flight operations. "Time Calculator" - add, subtract, multiply, and divide time values. "Turning Radius" - calculates the turning radius based on speed and bank angle. "STD Rate Turn" - calculates the bank angle for making a standard rate turn. "Wind Component" - calculates the crosswind and headwind components. "Wind Limitation" - calculates the wind speed that can meet your limitation, in each wind direction. "Descent Rate" - calculates the descent rate required to maintain the desired path. "ILS Height Check" - calculates the passing altitude at the desired point based on the temperature at that time. "Path Calculator" - calculates the actual path angle based on the true altitude. "Descent Point" - calculates the starting point of descent to obtain the desired descent angle based on the true altitude. "PAPI" - calculates the altitude at which each PAPI indication can be obtained at the desired point. "ILS vs PAPI" - calculates the change in the PAPI indication during the ILS approach. "Entry Pattern" - calculates holding entry pattern based on heading. "Load Factor" - calculates the load factor based on the bank angle. It can also calculate the bank angle at which any load factor can be obtained. * Available on iOS 14.1 and later. * Purchase is required to use all the features.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Handy Pilot at Free against xWind's $0.99. Handy Pilot also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly). xWind's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Handy Pilot is free to download; xWind costs $0.99 up front. Handy Pilot sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. xWind asks for nothing beyond the download.
Handy Pilot holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: xWind has 550 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
xWind ships an update fortnightly, Handy Pilot every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | xWind | Handy Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (550 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 550 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #200 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jan Bloemendaal | Shin Nariai |
Customer experience
xWind
Handy Pilot
Bugs and requests
xWind
Reported bugs
1 issue- Speed toggle doesn't work, always shows MPS
Requested features
3 requests- Incorporate gust factors
- 3 customizable buttons for quick limit settings
- Different colored concentric rings inside the red limit ring
Handy Pilot
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
xWind
No in-app purchases
Handy Pilot
- Unlock All Features$2.99









