Features & Capabilities

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).

User Growth & Download Statistics

App
By:
Len Robinson
Rating:
4.60
(43)
Version:
2.7.1 Last updated: 2015-01-23
Version code:
837162187
Creation date:
2009-09-01
Compatible devices:
Size:
10.40MB
Price:
2.99
URLs:
Website
Full description:
See detailed description
Source:
Apple Apps Store
Data ingested on:
2026-06-06
Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.
Developed by:
Len Robinson
Apple Apps Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/spin-a-wind/id327740080
Website:
http://www.spinawind.com

User Reviews

Spin-a-Wind is praised for its fast, intuitive crosswind calculations and broad aviation tools (crosswind, density altitude, wind chill, conversions) used by pilots from students to airline captains. It’s appreciated for safety checks, quick references, and solid support. Recurrent drawbacks include limited degree precision (10-degree increments), iPad rotation/display issues, and occasional instability requiring reinstall.
Pros
  • Easy to use and interpret display for wind and crosswind calculations.
  • Comprehensive toolkit: crosswind, headwind, density altitude, wind chill, and various conversions.
  • Valuable for safety and flight planning, including quick legality snapshots.
  • Widely trusted by pilots from students to airline captains; works on iPhone and iPad.
  • Responsive support and timely bug fixes.
Cons
  • Degree precision is limited to 10-degree increments; no single-degree runway headings.
  • iPad rotation and display cropping issues on some devices/OS versions.
  • Occasional instability (freezes or non-responsiveness) requiring reinstall or workarounds.
Recent reviews
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
by La*****, 2022-10-17

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.
by Ca*****, 2021-03-06

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.
by no*****, 2020-07-28
View all user reviews ›

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