The Winwing FCU and EFIS units are high-quality replicas of Airbus cockpit elements in a 1:1 scale, specifically manufactured for home flight simulation and home cockpits. They offer realistic tactile feedback and functionality, including tactile buttons, rotary knobs, an authentic LCD display, and metal switches with a physical locking mechanism for ADF/VOR.
The EFIS units complement the FCU and share a USB connection via SATA ports. They are compatible with flight simulations like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Prepar3D, and X-Plane, and can be seamlessly integrated through the provided SimAppPro software, as well as MobiFlight and Spad.next. They also offer flexible mounting options for both desktop and cockpit setups.
Additionally, they are priced attractively, especially in comparison to competing products on the market.
Winwing provided me with an FCU and two EFIS units for testing, and here are my impressions:
Unboxing and Assembly
After opening and removing the very well-packed and secured units, I found myself surrounded by countless plastic bags full of screws, hex keys, and even a screwdriver, but without any instructions, neither on paper nor in the form of a QR code.
So, it was time to tinker and experiment… After some time, I finally managed to connect all the units securely and connect the two SATA cables. However, the process was neither easy nor intuitive – you would actually need three hands.
Only afterward, as it often happens (mea culpa), did I find the instructions for download on the manufacturer’s website. Upon reading, the purpose of the many included screws became clear – there are numerous attachment options, which is very positive!
Subsequently, I quickly mounted the side supports to ensure the entire unit stood stable. Here, too, there were various options, as each unit came with two supports. In the end, I used only two out of the six provided supports.
First Impressions and Feel
The size of the Winwing units matches the original in a 1:1 scale, as does the color scheme. The switches also appear very authentic, but without personal experience in a real cockpit, I cannot say with certainty whether they exactly match the original, especially regarding the pressure points. This seems not particularly crucial in the MSFS environment where most simmers operate.
What I can definitely say: All switches, whether push or rotary, feel much more precise than any competing products I have used so far.
The LED displays glow in a pleasant orange, and their brightness can be adjusted both via Winwing’s proprietary SimAppPro software and directly in the aircraft.
Correspondingly, all buttons and switches are equipped with a subtle backlight.
In the Aircraft
After connecting via the included USB-C cable and loading SimAppPro and MSFS2020, with the FlybyWire A320 on the apron, the testing could begin. As soon as the External Power button in the overhead panel is pressed, it comes to life.
All displays controlled by rotary knobs respond precisely to inputs. It’s especially nice not to have to awkwardly adjust altitude and heading with the mouse anymore.
However, some of the five push buttons (CSTR, WPT, VOR.D, NDB, and ARPT) on both EFIS control units have partially swapped functions, and one button is not assigned. This could be quickly fixed with the proprietary SimAppPro program if it were more user-friendly. But it isn’t, and I find it unnecessarily complicated, poorly designed, and quite confusing for newcomers. I am aware that this program allows for assignments for many simulations, most of which are of military nature. We are testing it here only with MSFS.
That it can be much simpler is shown by the programs:
- MobiFlight (free)
- Spad.Next (paid)
With both, the Winwing buttons and switches can be easily assigned, customized, expanded, and controlled. Moreover, there are numerous pre-made profiles available for both tools, for example on Flightsim.to.
Therefore, I didn’t bother much with the SimAppPro software and switched directly to MobiFlight – a decision that proved to be absolutely right, as it works excellently.
Flying
Operating the FCU and EFIS units with real switches and buttons initially requires a mental adjustment. But soon, the usual fumbling with the mouse on the screen becomes a familiar and pleasant routine.
Extra Tip: Combined with Elgato Stream Decks and corresponding profiles from Flight Panels, you can virtually operate the entire cockpit without a mouse.
Prices
The FCU costs €134.26, and each EFIS €81.55, which totals around €300. Given what is offered here and compared to current competitors, this is an unbeatable price.
Additionally, I would like to note that I was particularly impressed with the build quality and tactile feel of Wingwing’s products.
Conclusion
The Winwing FCU and EFIS units are an excellent choice for home flight simulators and cockpit enthusiasts due to their high-quality construction and realistic tactile feedback. With their 1:1 replicas of Airbus cockpit elements, precise functionality, and solid material quality, they clearly stand out from competing products. Especially noteworthy are the tactile switches, authentic rotary knobs, and the easily readable LCD displays that glow in a pleasant orange.
The assembly requires some patience due to the lack of included instructions, but the numerous mounting options and the stable construction offer flexibility for various setups. A minor flaw is the SimAppPro software, which seems unnecessarily complicated to use. Alternatively, programs like MobiFlight and Spad.Next provide a more user-friendly solution to fully exploit the devices’ functionality.
Overall, the Winwing FCU and EFIS units offer an excellent price-performance ratio. For around €300 for the set, you get a high-quality product that not only impresses visually but also functionally, significantly enhancing the flight simulation experience.
Purchase Source Directly from Winwing: Winwing EU Shop