# PlaneEnglish: ARSim — ATC Pilot Comms Training

> AI-powered aviation radio communication simulator for pilots. (iPhone/iPad app by PlaneEnglish.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planeenglish-arsim/id1461037185 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [PlaneEnglish](https://appshunter.io/developer/1461037184)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.08/5 from 324 App Store ratings · 141 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 381 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2019-08-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planeenglish-arsim/id1461037185/reviews.md

## What is PlaneEnglish?

**No subscription required to find out what ARSim can do for you.**

Practice aviation radio communication with interactive ATC scenarios, AI-powered controllers, voice recognition, and instant feedback. Build confidence, improve phraseology, and prepare for real-world communication before stepping into the cockpit.....and earn FAA WINGS Credits along the way.

The PlaneEnglish Aviation Radio Simulator, or ARSim, helps pilots learn, practice, and improve aviation radio communication through realistic, interactive ATC scenarios. Whether you are a student pilot learning to talk on the radio for the first time, an instrument student preparing for IFR communications, or an experienced pilot refreshing your skills, ARSim gives you a practical way to build confidence outside the cockpit.

With AI-powered air traffic controllers, voice recognition, speech analysis, and immediate feedback, ARSim helps you practice aviation phraseology, radio procedures, and real-world communication flows across VFR and IFR flight operations.

ARSim includes structured training units designed to build your skills step by step:

TRAINER helps you practice full ATC communication scenarios with guided lessons, randomized situations, and feedback on your radio calls.

AIRPORT helps you learn airport signs, markings, lighting, and surface operations.

PATTERN helps you understand and practice communications in the traffic pattern or circuit.

HOLD helps you learn and practice instrument holding procedures.

BASICS, GLOSSARY, and RESOURCES provide foundational knowledge, references, and supporting material to help you understand the language and structure of aviation communication.

Across the app, you can access hundreds of airports, work through more than 200 lessons, and practice thousands of randomized ATC interactions covering many phases of VFR and IFR flight. Selected training units also allow eligible users to earn FAA WINGS credits...you won't find another communication tool that will do this for you!

ARSim training content is guided by FAA and ICAO phraseology, standards, and radiotelephony procedures, helping pilots become more familiar with the communication practices used throughout aviation.

For student pilots, ARSim provides an accessible way to build radio confidence before and between lessons. For experienced or non-current pilots, it offers a convenient way to refresh communication skills before returning to training, preparing for a flight review, or getting ready for a checkride. For flight schools and training organizations, ARSim can support more consistent communications practice across students and instructors.

Download ARSim to explore the free content available in BASICS, AIRPORT, PATTERN, GLOSSARY, and RESOURCES, and use the free trial period to experience the full functionality of the app. You can also customize your experience in Settings, including phraseology standards, display options, and primary flight display preferences.

Terms of Use: https://planeenglishsim.com/terms-and-conditions/
Privacy Policy: https://planeenglishsim.com/privacy/

## Key features

- AI-powered air traffic controllers
- Voice recognition and speech analysis
- Realistic training scenarios
- Step-by-step phraseology lessons
- Airport, pattern, and hold training
- FAA WINGS Credits
- VFR and IFR flight training

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VFR Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| VFR 6 Months | $39.99 | per 6 months |
| VFR Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| IFR Monthly | $13.99 | per month |
| IFR 6 Months | $49.99 | per 6 months |
| IFR Annual | $79.99 | per year |
| VFR+IFR Monthly | $15.99 | per month |
| VFR+IFR 6 Months | $64.99 | per 6 months |
| VFR+IFR Annual | $95.99 | per year |
| VFR+IFR Annual | $95.99 | per year |
| VFR+IFR 6 Months | $64.99 | per 6 months |
| VFR+IFR Monthly | $15.99 | per month |


## What do users think of PlaneEnglish?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great practice for radio communications
- 👍 Helpful for non-native English speakers
- 👍 Organized learning process
- 👍 Customizable with user's callsign and airport
- 👍 Covers VFR and IFR scenarios

**Cons**

- 🐛 Voice recognition issues - often misses or misinterprets words
- 🐛 App crashes and loading issues
- 🔒 Subscription model instead of one-time purchase
- 🔒 Expensive for some users
- 🔒 Limited free content, most features require paid subscription

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashing on startup
- Voice recognition not working properly
- Progress not saving between sessions
- Incorrect callsign/aircraft type displayed in scenarios

**Most requested features**

- More realistic ATC communication scenarios
- Better feedback on pronunciation and pacing
- Ability to add custom airports and scenarios
- Offline mode for practicing without internet
- Integration with flight simulators

## Recent user reviews (10 of 141)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planeenglish-arsim/id1461037185/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Improving comms skills.

*2026-06-15, version 1.5.13*

Excellent and outstanding app. Very helpful.

### 4/5 — Wish it had Australian radio calls

*2026-05-18*

Seems like there have been a lot of improvements since last time I used it and I am enjoying it. I wish it could add an Australian version as the calls are a little different but it is still helping me a lot understand radio chat

### 2/5 — Ok but too much touch required

*2026-04-19, version 1.5.13*

This is a solid C+ app, but I really don’t like that you need to tap the mic icon to speak and the speaker icon to listen. It should be a fluid conversation like it is with Siri or Alexa or Whisper or 11labs voices. It feels pretty archaic the way it is, and because it requires full attention it’s hard to train for multitasking and distractions like will be given to you on cog and compass tests

### 4/5 — App does not open without cell or WiFi signal.

*2026-03-09, version 1.5.13*

Why doesn’t the app open and work offline ?

### 5/5 — Good app

*2026-01-23, version 1.5.13*

I found it helpful to practice say ATC instructions and I am pleased with the Readback IFR clearance lesson.

### 1/5 — Not perceiving words

*2025-12-26, version 1.5.13*

It doesn't process the words being said, even when I speak extremely slowly, quickly, or with different accents; sometimes it only processes about 30% of them. My stress levels have increased, I'm extremely tense.

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2025-11-11, version 1.5.12*

Awesome tool

### 4/5 — Very useful but poorly designed

*2025-10-02, version 1.5.11*

This has been a great help in  my  flight training. The scenarios are good, having my N number as a custom field and even my local airport, are great. The speech reco is really bad however. The rest of the app is also a bit of a mess. Would be better if more attention was paid to thr central features of the app. Also more of a guided progression.

### 3/5 — Voice Recognition Horrible

*2025-07-30*

This is a decent app/program lots of potential. I’m a former flight instructor getting current again. The AI voices are horrendous. In 2025 there are far better ways to go about this. The worst part of the experience is the horrible voice recognition. Regardless of the microphone, headset, input device I used, the program refuses to pick up all the words. Not always the same words every time, just misses words completely. I’ll listen to the readback, and can clearly hear that it’s correct, but the program will not recognize them. I would say only about 5% of the time do I get 100% recognition. Another thing, even though there are technically specific ways to go about communications in aviation, if you’re just starting out and using this to learn communications, what you will hear in the real world is quite different. Especially with tower airports, controllers, want short and concise read backs.

**Developer response:** Sorry to hear of your experience Mklein73. We recommend exploring the Settings options for the alternate speech recognition engines available (Fast and High Performance) as well as the voices (you can always download new ones following the instructions in ARSim). The training content in ARSim is based on the FAA and ICAO guidelines for aviation phraseology from the AIM and JO7110, so while you may hear variations while flying the guidelines is what you will find in ARSim. Thanks and reach out for any issues: service@planeenglish.net and our team will readily assist.

### 3/5 — Nice app but needs work on word recognition

*2025-05-29, version 1.5.9*

I love the app but I have a consistent issue where it refuses to hear certain words. I can go back and reread the exact words it wants to hear. Even tried to do it as slow as possible as well as having someone else read it. I end up just skipping ahead on those lessons instead of trying to fight with it.

## Frequently asked questions about PlaneEnglish

### What is PlaneEnglish: ARSim?

PlaneEnglish: ARSim is an interactive aviation radio simulator designed to help pilots learn and master air traffic control (ATC) communication, procedures, and phraseology. It uses AI-powered controllers and voice recognition to provide realistic training scenarios and instant feedback.

### What are the key features of ARSim?

Key features include AI-driven ATC, voice recognition for speech analysis, hundreds of randomized scenarios, step-by-step phraseology lessons, and dedicated training units for airports, patterns, and holds. It also offers FAA WINGS Credits for certain training modules.

### How much does ARSim cost?

The app offers free content in its BASICS, AIRPORT, PATTERN, GLOSSARY, and RESOURCES units, along with a free trial period. Additional content and full functionality are available through in-app purchases.

### Is ARSim compatible with my device?

The provided description does not specify device compatibility. However, it is a mobile application, suggesting it is designed for smartphones and tablets. Users should check the app store listing for specific operating system requirements.

### Who can benefit from using ARSim?

ARSim is beneficial for new pilots seeking to build confidence and proficiency in communicating with ATC, as well as experienced but non-current pilots looking to refresh their skills for check rides. It helps develop critical safety skills and muscle memory for aviation communication.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5.14 — 2026-08-11

-Improved iPad interactions and user interface
-Support for upcoming new interactive features for flight schools and custom training content
-Fixes that now allow loading of ARSim while offline (you can now always load and use ARSim while offline)
-Fixes to airport loading (make sure to download entire airport database to multiply the variability in any training scenario)
-Improvement to speech analysis and scoring, including support for higher quality ATC voices

### 1.5.13 — 2025-12-16

-Additional support for flight training institutions and customized training content
-Performance improvement for iPad
-Updates to tracking training activity and daily streaks

### 1.5.12 — 2025-10-16

- Always-free lessons available, no subscription required to explore ARSim capabilities

- Support for training institutions to customize their training curriculum and tailor ARSim content to align with their ground and flight training.
- Performance improvements.

### 1.5.11 — 2025-10-01

- Always-free lessons available, no subscription required to explore ARSim capabilities 



- New ATC AI feedback and interaction. Communicate with ATC AI to hear corrections and modifications to your radio transmissions. Turn ON the Verbal Feedback option, select the ATC personality (stern, friendly, funny) and interact with ATC to experience more realistic radio communications and enhance your training.
- New activity dashboard for more and better visibility of your training progress. Explore the Achievements page to see how your performance is improving, to monitor your training, and to see the certificates and WINGS credits earned. Leverage this powerful accountability tool to achieve your training goals and master the aviation radio.
- Performance improvements

### 1.5.10 — 2025-08-05

- Always-free lessons available, no subscription required to explore ARSim capabilities 

- New Notepad/sketchpad feature; you can now take notes while listening to ATC clearances and reference critical information when reading back instructions and clearances
- Performance improvement for iPad users and upcoming OS
- Support for upcoming capabilities that leverage ATC AI
- Support for customized training content for ground crews, ramp towers, and line pilots
- Bug fixes

## Apps similar to PlaneEnglish

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [ATSim](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atsim/id1542551883) | 4.1 (15) | Free | Education |
| [IFR Flight Trainer Simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-trainer-simulator/id901798935) | 4.0 (80) | Free | Education |
| [ATSAPro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atsapro/id1484384151) | 4.3 (8) | $9.99 | Education |
| [IFR Flight Simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-simulator/id6444241915) | 4.3 (103) | Free | Education |
| [Aviation English Vocab 4-5](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aviation-english-vocab-4-5/id1480361298) | 4.5 (4) | Free | Education |
| [Prepware Remote Pilot UAS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prepware-remote-pilot-uas/id1135991142) | 4.3 (100) | $4.99 | Education |

## More apps by PlaneEnglish

- [ATSim](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atsim/id1542551883)

All apps by PlaneEnglish: https://appshunter.io/developer/1461037184

## Related topics

[arsim](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/arsim) · [aviation english](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/aviation-english) · [atc practice](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/atc-practice) · [aviation radio](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/aviation-radio) · [atc communication](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/atc-communication) · [aviation training](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/aviation-training) · [air traffic control trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/air-traffic-control-trainer) · [icao4u](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/icao4u) · [noah webster 1828 dictionary](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/noah-webster-1828-dictionary) · [icao alphabet trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/icao-alphabet-trainer) · [elms aviation](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/elms-aviation)

---

*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 2026-08-26.*