# X-Plane Control Pad

> X-Plane flight simulator instructor control station for mobile devices. (iPhone/iPad app by Laminar Research.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/x-plane-control-pad/id961801382 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Laminar Research](https://appshunter.io/developer/290619948)
- Category: Games, Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.70/5 from 37 App Store ratings · 20 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 3.0 GB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2015-06-29
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/x-plane-control-pad/id961801382/reviews.md

## What is X?

For X-Plane Mac/Windows/Linux 11.00 and later:

When the Pros fly their flight simulators for currency-checks, an instructor is hiding behind the scenes, setting location, weather, and inducing simulated aircraft failures during the flight test.

The goal is to survive the flight… despite the impossible weather, aircraft weight and balance, and equipment failures that are being triggered by the devilish instructor cowering behind the pilot.

Now, you can get this experience in X-Plane for Macintosh, Windows, and Linux personal computers by running this App on your iPad or iPhone (…with, of course, a willing tormentor to set all the various failures at the worst-possible time! Or just set them yourself.. the interface is clean and fast.

Here is how it works:

Simply fire up X-Plane on your Macintosh, Windows, or Linux personal computer and Control Pad on your iPhone or iPad. As long as they are all logged into the same WIFI network, they will see each other, and: Viola! You now have an Instructor Operator Station for X-Plane on your iPhone or iPad!

Now, on your iPad, you can load aircraft, set location, set the weight and balance of the airplane you are flying, set the weather in X-Plane, see a map complete with plan and profile views to see how well you are flying your approaches, and even induce any of the aircraft equipment failures possible in X-Plane (currently, about 1,000 possible failures!)

So, with this App, you can take X-Plane from a fun flight simulator up to a pro-level training experience.. assuming, of course, that you can handle the heat.

## Key features

- Instructor Operator Station
- Remote control of X-Plane
- Set aircraft location and weather
- Induce equipment failures
- View map with plan/profile views
- Manage aircraft weight and balance

## Recent user reviews (10 of 20)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/x-plane-control-pad/id961801382/reviews.md

### 5/5 — nice but new

*2023-04-16*

I know I know this game looks fun for you

### 5/5 — violaawareness

*2023-02-22*

Just as an aside, the string sections of the orchestra span the entire stage in front of the winds/brass/percussion. As for the violas, they sit stage left, or audience right, somewhat center from the cellos who sit further audience right. This changes in a few works like Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Number 6 where some of the orchestration creates a “stereo” effect requiring the second violins to sit house right and the firsts to set house left. The melody them oscillates back and forth, an effect audible to the audience. 

Voila! You have an orchestra.

### 1/5 — Won’t connect

*2022-10-24, version 1.31*

Just fly out does not work. Will not connect at all.

### 2/5 — Won’t connect to X-Plane 12

*2022-10-23, version 1.31*

Refuses to connect to X-Plane 12.  It tells you to download another app for that, but the problem is that there is no such app on the App Store.

### 1/5 — No longer connects

*2022-06-21, version 1.31*

Used to work and now even after restarting and redownloading the app only connects intermittently. When it does connect, it freezes before you can do anything.

### 1/5 — Connected?

*2021-09-12, version 1.30*

It says it is connected but when I try to do anything, nothing happens

### 5/5 — Works great but do have a question

*2021-06-12, version 1.29*

App works perfectly for torturing someone while flying the sim! But, why is it 3 gb installed?  Is there that much bloat in apple’s sdk?  Seems with the UI and functionality it should be MUCH smaller.

### 1/5 — Unstable; doesn’t get airport database

*2021-06-04, version 1.29*

Very unstable. “Upgraded” and now can’t relocate plane (no airports available)

### 1/5 — Cannot get in

*2021-04-07, version 1.24*

Cannot get in

### 3/5 — Viola?

*2021-03-26, version 1.22*

I can’t find the stringed instrument section on this app

The developer used the word “viola,” a stringed instrument when he meant “voila!” Meaning “there it is.”

**Developer response:** I think the stringed instruments are normally in the left section of the orchestra, near the horns. I've never seen stringed instruments in an App before. Perhaps you should could try a music store?

## Frequently asked questions about X

### What is X-Plane Control Pad?

X-Plane Control Pad is a free application that turns your iPhone or iPad into an instructor operator station for the X-Plane flight simulator on Mac, Windows, or Linux. It allows you to remotely control various aspects of the simulation.

### How does X-Plane Control Pad connect to X-Plane?

The app connects to X-Plane by ensuring both your mobile device and your computer running X-Plane are logged into the same Wi-Fi network. Once connected, they will see each other, enabling control.

### What can I control with X-Plane Control Pad?

You can load aircraft, set location, adjust weight and balance, change weather conditions, view maps with plan and profile views, and induce approximately 1,000 different aircraft equipment failures within X-Plane.

### Is X-Plane Control Pad free to use?

Yes, X-Plane Control Pad is completely free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned.

### What devices does X-Plane Control Pad support?

X-Plane Control Pad is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed to enhance the X-Plane experience on these platforms.

### What is the age rating for X-Plane Control Pad?

X-Plane Control Pad has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in flight simulation.

### How often is X-Plane Control Pad updated?

The latest version, 1.31, was released on November 17, 2021. While updates are not frequent, the app has been stable since its release in 2015.

### What is the user sentiment for X-Plane Control Pad?

Based on 37 ratings, X-Plane Control Pad has an average rating of 2.7 stars. This suggests a mixed user reception, with some users finding it valuable for training while others may have encountered issues.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.31 — 2021-11-17

Hang-bug fixed where some commands from X-Plane could confuse the App.

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## More apps by Laminar Research

- [X-Plane Flight Simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/x-plane-flight-simulator/id566661426)
- [Bloodhound SSC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bloodhound-ssc/id893215694)
- [Stradale Racing Simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stradale-racing-simulator/id897690207)
- [X-Plane: Starship](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/x-plane-starship/id1540346715)
- [Control Pad for X-Plane 12](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control-pad-for-x-plane-12/id1645141064)

All apps by Laminar Research: https://appshunter.io/developer/290619948

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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 2026-06-10.*