About
Wingman is a full-featured iOS flight companion app built specifically for free flight pilots — paragliders, hang gliders, powered paragliders (PPG), and glider pilots. It leverages advanced sensor fusion algorithms combining the phone's barometer and accelerometer to deliver a reactive software variometer that rivals dedicated hardware devices, eliminating the need to carry extra equipment. The app features automatic take-off and landing detection, so pilots can focus entirely on pre-flight preparation while Wingman handles recording start and stop. A built-in airspace overlay displays nearby controlled airspaces and issues proximity alerts to keep pilots safe and compliant. The comprehensive flightbook stores all recorded flights with rich statistics, charts, and analysis tools so pilots can track progression over time. With a free Wingman account, the flightbook is privately synced to secure cloud servers. Wingman also supports real-time position sharing, allowing pilots to broadcast their live location to friends via the app, a shareable web link for family members, or integrated third-party safety services like FFVL Safe and PureTrack. After landing, the 3D Flight Replay feature lets pilots relive their flights visually and share highlights on social media. Route planning with waypoints and task routes is built in for cross-country flying. The app is consistently rated 4.9/5 on the App Store and is actively maintained with regular updates based on community feedback.
Key Features
- Reactive Software Variometer: Uses advanced sensor fusion (barometer + accelerometer) to deliver a real-time variometer directly on your iPhone or Apple Watch — no external hardware required.
- Automatic Take-off & Landing Detection: Intelligently detects when you launch and land, automatically starting and stopping flight recording so you never miss a flight or forget to stop logging.
- Airspace Alerts: Displays nearby airspaces on the map and sends proximity alerts when you approach controlled or restricted airspace boundaries.
- Flightbook with Deep Analytics: All recorded flights are stored in a detailed digital logbook with statistics, charts, and analysis tools. Flights sync privately to the cloud with a free Wingman account.
- Real-time Tracking & 3D Flight Replay: Share your live GPS position with friends and family via the app or a web link, and relive completed flights in immersive 3D replay with social sharing.
Use Cases
- Paragliders recording every flight automatically and building a detailed digital logbook to track progression over time.
- Free flight pilots using their iPhone or Apple Watch as a variometer without investing in dedicated hardware instruments.
- Pilots sharing their live GPS position with family members for safety monitoring during cross-country or mountain flights.
- Hang glider and PPG pilots reviewing 3D flight replays after landing to analyze flight paths, thermal locations, and technique.
- Competition and XC pilots planning waypoint routes and task routes before flight and navigating them in real time with Wingman.
Pros
- No External Hardware Needed: The software variometer runs entirely on an iPhone or Apple Watch using sensor fusion, saving pilots from carrying and maintaining dedicated instruments.
- Completely Free: The full feature set is available at no cost, with a free Wingman account unlocking cloud flightbook sync — no paywalls on core functionality.
- Automatic Flight Recording: Take-off and landing detection removes the burden of manually managing recordings, letting pilots focus entirely on flying.
- Actively Developed & Community-Driven: The developer consistently releases updates and incorporates user feedback, resulting in a highly-rated, continuously improving app.
Cons
- iOS Only: Wingman is exclusively available on iPhone and Apple Watch, leaving Android users without access to the app.
- Cloud Sync Requires Account: Full flightbook backup and sync to secure servers requires creating a free Wingman account — offline-only use won't benefit from cloud storage.
- Phone-dependent Accuracy: While the software variometer is highly capable, its accuracy may vary depending on the iPhone model and sensor quality compared to top-tier dedicated hardware instruments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy any external hardware to use Wingman's variometer?
No. Wingman uses an advanced sensor fusion algorithm that combines data from your iPhone's built-in barometer and accelerometer to produce a reactive variometer. An Apple Watch also works as a standalone vario display.
What types of free flight sports does Wingman support?
Wingman supports paragliding, powered paragliding (PPG), hang gliding, gliding, and other free flight disciplines.
Can I share my live position while flying?
Yes. Wingman supports real-time tracking that lets you share your live GPS position with friends through the Wingman app, via a web link for family members, or through external safety services like FFVL Safe and PureTrack.
Is Wingman free to use?
Yes, Wingman is free to download and use with full access to its features. A free Wingman account enables private cloud backup and sync of your flightbook.
Does Wingman work on Apple Watch?
Yes. Wingman has an Apple Watch companion app that can function as a standalone variometer during flight, displaying key instruments directly on your wrist.
