# IFR Flight Simulator — Holding, Intercept & DME Arc

> Realistic IFR flight simulator and pilot training app for instrument rating preparation. (iPhone/iPad app by Tobias Maihoff.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-simulator/id6444241915 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Tobias Maihoff](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653306504)
- Category: Education, Games, Simulation, Trivia
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 103 App Store ratings · 30 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 113 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2022-11-26
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-simulator/id6444241915/reviews.md

## What is IFR Flight Simulator?

Practice holdings, radial intercepts, and DME arcs on your phone before your next simulator session. Calculate the procedure, fly it with live instruments, and review your track in the debrief.

IFR Flight Simulator combines focused IFR procedure training with real-time flight simulation, worldwide navigation data, and a choice of glass cockpit or classic gauges.

What you can practice:

• Holding Trainer: Randomized holding situations. Determine the entry, calculate the wind correction angles, then fly the pattern.
• Intercept Trainer: Inbound and outbound radial intercepts as well as QDM/QDR intercepts.
• DME Arc Trainer: Fly DME arcs and calculate the angle of lead to turn onto the inbound course at the right moment.
• Approaches: Set up a final intercept, a position in the pattern (downwind, base, or final), or a full approach at any airport, including ILS.
• IFR mental math: Practice entries, wind correction angles, and lead points until the calculations become automatic.

Worldwide navigation database:

• Navigation data from a recent AIRAC cycle, with worldwide coverage: 13,000+ airports and 10,000+ VORs, NDBs, and other navaids.
• Train with real airports and navaids instead of generic exercise locations.

Real-time flight simulator:

• Modern glass cockpit (PFD and ND) or classic gauges.
• Autopilot with rotary controls for heading, altitude, and speed, or fly manually by tilting your device.
• Fast-forward mode to repeat procedures efficiently.
• Live Map: your position and flight path in real time.
• Live Needle Overlay: watch where the HSI and CDI needles actually point as they move with the aircraft symbol across the map.
• Optimal Holding Entry Path Overlay: compare your flown track with the wind-corrected entry and holding pattern.
• Flight Log with Debrief: every flight is recorded. Replay the track and the needle movement, or resume the flight later.

Built for instrument rating training, proficiency practice, and simulator assessments.

"I am currently training for my Instrument Rating, and my FI recommended this app to me. I didn't think such a high quality, useful training tool was possible as an app. Incredible for VOR bearings, practicing holds and command headings."
App Store review by Sa4mmy

Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com.

Disclaimer:
This application is for training and educational purposes only.
It must not be used for real-world flight planning or in-flight decision-making.
While the developer strives to provide information and calculations that are as accurate and up-to-date as reasonably possible, they may still be incomplete or inaccurate, and other accepted methods exist for deriving procedures and correction angles.
Always verify data against official aeronautical publications and follow the guidance of a certified flight instructor.
The developer accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from use of this software.

Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Realistic aviation training
- Worldwide flight navigation database
- Comprehensive training modes
- Real-time flight simulator
- Integrated autopilot
- Optimal holding entry path overlay

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access | $19.99 | per month |
| Full Access | $99.99 | per year |
| Full Access | $9.99 | per month |
| Full Access | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| Full Access | $59.99 | per year |
| Full Access | $19.99 | per 3 months |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Access \| One-Time Purchase | $169.99 | one-time |
| SALE % Pro \| One-Time Purchase | $49.99 | one-time |
| SALE % Pro \| One-Time Purchase | $84.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 30)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-simulator/id6444241915/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Très bonne appli pour réviser

*2026-08-10*

Idéal pour réviser avec différentes options (glass cockpit, instruments conventionnels, NDB, VOR…)

**Developer response:** Merci pour ce retour, c'est exactement l'idée : pouvoir s'entraîner avec glass cockpit, instruments conventionnels, NDB, VOR, selon ce dont on a besoin. Bon entraînement, et n'hésite pas à écrire à support@ifrsimulator.com si tu as des questions ou suggestions.

### 3/5 — Good in general

*2026-07-14, version 1.25.9*

The app is good in general, but it positions your aircraft a,ready aligned with the solution. I wish it was giving you random positions and you would have to figure out how to set up your instruments yourself.

### 2/5 — Good but Overpriced

*2026-07-13*

Yes it’s a good app (although a bit out of date referring to NDBs and VORs. But way overpriced for why it is. Why is even a subscription? Subscription apps are for where information is constantly changing or updating. $5 per month just to be able to use it is crazy.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the honest feedback. Keeping the app running on current devices, maintaining real-world navdata, and continuing to develop new training features is ongoing work, and the subscription is what makes that possible. We genuinely believe it's worth it as a training tool and that it's far cheaper than even a single sim session, but there's a free trial so you can weigh that up for yourself before committing. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 3/5 — 3/5

*2026-07-04*

very helpful for practice, but some essential features are only available for premium subscribers...

**Developer response:** Glad to hear it's been helpful for practice. Keeping the app up to date and continuing to develop it takes ongoing work, and paid access is what makes that possible. We're convinced it's worth it for IFR training, and there's a free trial so you can explore everything before committing. If you have problems claiming the trial, please reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com and we will help you with that.

### 5/5 — Review

*2026-06-22*

Fantastic way to experiment and visualise the initial IFR manoeuvres. Solid updates (modern vs traditional instruments) and additions of new exercices (dme arc)
10/10 would recommend for practice and visualisation

**Developer response:** Really glad the DME arc trainer and the switchable instruments are hitting the mark for you. Thanks for the kind words and the recommendation, they mean a lot. If you ever have suggestions for what to add next, drop us a line at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 1/5 — Terrible

*2026-04-17*

Not only is this app terrible, but after using several apps for my flight training over the past few months, I recently realized that the developer blatantly copied (and did a poor job of it, by the way) the website of ATC One. As a developer, that’s extremely unprofessional. I’ve already reported this to the original app’s team.

As a CFI, I would not recommend this app to anyone—especially considering the creator’s lack of integrity in copying others’ work. It seriously calls into question whether this app was built by real pilots at all, which makes it even less trustworthy.

**Developer response:** The copying claim is incorrect. IFR Flight Simulator was developed independently and has been on Google Play since 2017 and on the App Store since 2022, which predates the app referenced here. The two apps also cover entirely different subjects: IFR flight procedures versus ATC radio communication. We encourage anyone interested to try the app and judge it on its own merits.

### 1/5 — Requires purchase

*2026-01-24*

App states “in app” but after a short trial period, your subscription begins. No free trial unless you sign up.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback. Just to clarify, the app does include a free trial so users can explore it before any subscription begins. If anything was unclear or did not work as expected, please feel free to contact us at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 4/5 — Good App besides price

*2025-12-05*

While i can’t fault the dev for wanting money for their work, its just not a lot of features that you get without premium. But possibly the best app of its type on mobile

**Developer response:** Thanks for the kind words and honest feedback. We understand the concern about pricing: keeping the app current and continuing to develop it takes ongoing work, and paid access is what makes that possible. We're confident it's worth it for IFR training, and there's a free trial so you can explore the full app before committing. Questions or suggestions are always welcome at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 3/5 — Almost really good

*2025-08-28*

A clever and helpful app that is let down by impossibly fiddly controls. It takes 5-10 attempts ever get the heading to actually change

**Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you found the app helpful overall. The heading control problem has since been fixed, and we appreciate you taking the time to point it out. If you have any other questions or feedback, feel free to reach out at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 2/5 — Cant use basic IFR functions

*2025-06-28*

For the free flight mode I am unable to tune direct to waypoints to join holds and conduct full approaches

**Developer response:** Tuning navaids and joining holds from Free Flight mode is supported, so something sounds off on your end. Please send us the details at support@ifrsimulator.com, including your device and app version, and we'll help you get it working.

## Frequently asked questions about IFR Flight Simulator

### What does the IFR Simulator app do?

This app is a realistic aviation simulator designed for instrument rating preparation. It allows pilots to practice essential IFR procedures, including holdings, intercepts, and approaches, directly on their smartphone. The simulator features realistic physics, instrumentation, and a worldwide navigation database.

### What are the key features of the IFR Simulator?

Key features include a worldwide flight navigation database with over 5000 airports and 11,000 navigational aids. It offers comprehensive training modes like a Holding Trainer and Intercept Trainer, along with a real-time flight simulator with an integrated autopilot, fast-forward, replay, and live map functionalities.

### How much does the IFR Simulator app cost?

The application is free to download and use, but it offers in-app purchases. These purchases likely unlock additional features, content, or advanced training modules for users who wish to enhance their experience.

### Who is the target audience for this app?

The app is designed for both student pilots who are working towards obtaining their instrument rating and experienced pilots who want to maintain and sharpen their IFR skills. It's also suitable for those preparing for simulator screenings or airline interviews.

### Can I use this app for actual flight training?

This application is intended for training and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for actual flight training or certified simulator time required for obtaining an instrument rating. It serves as a supplementary tool to enhance learning and practice.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.27.4 — 2026-08-24

This update improves stability and fixes minor issues across the app.

Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 1.27.3 — 2026-08-20

This update improves stability and fixes minor issues across the app.

Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 1.27.2 — 2026-08-03

This update improves stability and fixes minor issues across the app.

Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 1.26.10 — 2026-07-28

This update improves stability and fixes minor issues across the app.

Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com.

### 1.26.9 — 2026-07-23

This update improves stability and fixes minor issues across the app.

Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com.

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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 2026-08-28.*
