Legend of the Red Tail

Gremlins, geese and one very serious examiner. Free in your browser.

How to play

You are a pilot with a plane, a headset and 50 gold. Pick your moves from the menu with the mouse, a tap or the letter keys. Fly cross-countries to earn experience, fight what you meet along the way, and spend gold in town on rest, fuel and gear.

• Each cross-country can end in a fight with a gremlin, a goose or worse, or in a random event on the ramp.
• Level up to earn certificates, from the first lessons all the way to ATP.
• At the top, face THE CHECKRIDE and answer the Dreaded DPE correctly to turn the tide.
• Final score rewards speed: fewer cross-countries and deaths score higher.
• Keys: M mute, P pause, Esc menu.

Why pilots like it

The format is a nod to the BBS door games of the 1990s, where you would dial in, play a turn or two and see your name on the board. Instead of a dragon, the final boss is a designated pilot examiner, which is exactly how it feels to a student on checkride day.

The questions are real: weather minimums, regulations, airspace and the little habits that keep a flight safe. If you want a better picture of traffic and weather on a real cross-country, a Stratux receiver puts both on your tablet.

FAQ

How do I win Legend of the Red Tail?

Earn all eight certificates by levelling up, then take on THE CHECKRIDE at ATP level. Beat the Dreaded DPE through three phases and you earn the Red-Tailed Citation.

How does THE CHECKRIDE work?

It has three phases against the examiner. Oral questions are multiple choice: a right answer powers up your next hit, a wrong one rattles you and costs health. You can retreat at any time without penalty.

Is my progress saved?

Yes. Your pilot is saved in your browser, so you can close the tab and come back later. A fast finish with few cross-countries and deaths earns a higher score.

Is it free?

Yes. It runs in your browser with no account. Your name only appears if you reach the Hall of Fame.

More games

Stratux Arcade · The Oshkosh Trail · Gremlaga · Regional Tycoon · Get a Stratux