# Approach Control — Be a Radar Approach Controller

> Realistic air traffic control simulation for managing arriving passenger jets. (iPhone/iPad app by Big Fat Simulations Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Big Fat Simulations Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758)
- Category: Games, Education, Adventure, Simulation
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.20/5 from 18 App Store ratings · 72 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 26 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-01-11
- Data updated: 2026-08-15
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016/reviews.md

## What is Approach Control?

Approach Control is a highly realistic air traffic control simulation, designed by real world air traffic controllers.  It uses authentic pilot voices.  

This app is designed to give aviation enthusiasts a taste of the world's greatest job.  The radar behavior in this app is identical to that of real-world air traffic control radar screens, utilizing a 3-second sweep that air traffic controllers are accustomed to. Much work has been done to make such a complex job fit inside the palm of your hand. 

You are the approach controller whose job is to manage arriving passenger jets at various busy airports.  Establish arriving aircraft onto 'final approach' as safely and efficiently as possible.  As in the real world of ATC, you must walk a very fine line between being cautious and being expeditious.  A top notch air traffic controller knows how to bring planes in 'tight', without breaking the 'three mile rule'.

Keep all aircraft at least THREE MILES apart or at least 1000 FEET VERTICALLY apart.  That's your job in a nutshell!  Earn extra points by establishing the planes onto final approach without extra wasted space.  

Air traffic controlling is achieved by assigning a mixture of three things: HEADING, SPEED, and ALTITUDE.  Use these three tools to achieve safety and efficiency.

A successful air traffic controller must remain CALM, COOL and COLLECTED, known as the 'three C's'.  Who knows, you may one day use these skills and apply for a real ATC job!  Find out why real-world air traffic controllers have nerves of steel.

## Key features

- Realistic radar simulation
- Authentic pilot voices
- Manage heading, speed, and altitude
- Maintain aircraft separation
- Simulates final approach procedures
- Earn points for efficiency

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Airport 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Airport 3 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Airport 4 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Level 5 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Level 6 | $1.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 72)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control/id590289016/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Not bad

*2025-08-11, version 1.11*

Would be even better with some random VFR trafic who would pop up.

### 3/5 — Fun but missing realistic procedures

*2023-11-11*

Doesn’t correctly apply approved separation standards such as diverging separation but fun to play with.  Also needs varying runway alignment

### 1/5 — Bad game

*2023-09-13*

Not sure if it’s meant to be “highly realistic” or they’re just joking, but whatever the case this game is not realistic in the slightest

### 3/5 — Great potential, but needs dev

*2023-01-11, version 1.11*

The UI is great…a nice presentation, easy to use and has a realistic feel.  Issues that need work as of 1/2023:
1. User needs awareness of why game ended.  It seems like if a threshold of errors is reached, the game ends, but why the game ends each time needs to be made apparent to the user.  In current state, it feels like the game is crashing.
2.  End game screen feels broken: user is presented with coaching/reinforcement, which is fine, but the try again/replay button doesn’t work, so user experience is that the game is frozen.  Only way to try again is to close app, and re-launch, which feels like a total loss of previous gameplay.
Nevertheless, I keep playing, which says a lot.

### 2/5 — Good, but..

*2022-12-04, version 1.11*

Great to pass time, but needs to update based on 7110.65, passing or diverting and merging target procedures. Broke sep on aircraft over 30degrees diverting or paths won’t intercept. But still fun

### 4/5 — Good but

*2022-11-01*

Hi, this game is very good indeed, but we need a new update with more traffic and two runways or more and departures would be so good also.
As a ATC by myself it is realistic, but a new version and a patch would be good
Thx a lot

### 4/5 — Nicely done

*2022-10-23*

Being an ATCO myself, this game provides a nice degree of realistic a/c performance. Interface works rather smoothly as well, so it’s close to doing the real thing. Recommended!

### 2/5 — A Rando’s Nandos Review

*2021-11-14*

Ok, first for the free approach sector at least this is way to little space you’ve given for a feeder of directors control. The space between traffic on downwind and traffic on final on the localiser is barely enough and just above 3 miles standard radar separation.  Approach sectors for feeder at least have a big sector or larger ones have up to 40NM, also it would be nice to let people know the different altitude intercepts for the glide slope as not every plane can just go from the Outer marker at any altitude and magically descend fast enough for landing. These are all things which don’t require a huge ton of work, I have much more stuff to say on the “realism of this” “ simulator” but I’ve really just complained on the stuff which is already there. Realism of this id give it a 1/5 and I know it isn’t easy to implement all of the things for realism but if you wanted a fair review here it was.

### 1/5 — Worst of the worst

*2021-06-02, version 1.11*

Your instructions are tirrable causing me to making lots of errors not recommenced for the best experience

### 1/5 — 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼

*2021-05-27, version 1.11*

👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼

## Frequently asked questions about Approach Control

### What is Approach Control?

Approach Control is a highly realistic air traffic control simulation game. It allows players to experience the role of an approach controller, managing arriving passenger jets at busy airports. The game focuses on guiding aircraft safely and efficiently to their final approach.

### How do I play Approach Control?

In Approach Control, you manage arriving aircraft by assigning them specific HEADING, SPEED, and ALTITUDE. Your primary goal is to keep all aircraft at least three miles apart horizontally or 1000 feet apart vertically. Successfully landing planes efficiently earns you points.

### Is Approach Control free to play?

The app is free to download and play, but it offers in-app purchases. These purchases likely provide additional content or features to enhance the gameplay experience, though the core simulation is accessible without them.

### What makes this air traffic control simulation realistic?

The app is designed by real-world air traffic controllers and features radar behavior identical to real ATC screens, including a 3-second sweep. It also uses authentic pilot voices to enhance the immersive experience.

### Who is the target audience for Approach Control?

This app is designed for aviation enthusiasts who want a taste of air traffic control, as well as individuals interested in pursuing a career in ATC. It appeals to those who enjoy strategy and management games with a realistic aviation theme.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.11 — 2017-10-12

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Fixed availability of new levels 5 and 6.  
Fixed stability issues.

### 1.10 — 2017-10-09

Added two awesome new levels;
Improved app stability.

### 1.08 — 2017-10-08

Stability improvements.

### 1.06 — 2017-10-06

Resolved or improved application crashes.

### 1.04 — 2017-08-13

Updated to 64-bit compliance.

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## More apps by Big Fat Simulations Inc.

- [Airport Time Machine](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airport-time-machine/id661767360)
- [Airport Time Machine Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airport-time-machine-lite/id680070382)
- [Airport Madness 4](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airport-madness-4/id828018238)
- [Midair Madness](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midair-madness/id861811013)
- [Radar Chaos World Edition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/radar-chaos-world-edition/id885667958)

All apps by Big Fat Simulations Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758

## Related topics

[approach control](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/approach-control) · [approach](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/approach) · [air traffic control trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/air-traffic-control-trainer)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-15.*