PPL Navigation Trainer vs IFR Flight Simulator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PPL Navigation Trainer
Learn essential flight computer calculations for private pilot exams. Practice with automatically generated questions and detailed solutions covering a range of navigation topics. Prepare effectively for your aviation exams with this educational tool.
- Flight computer calculation practice
- Automatic question generation
- Detailed problem-solving walkthroughs
- Covers multiplication, division, and conversions
- Wind triangle and endurance calculations
- Course correction and ETA computation
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PPL Navigation Trainer teaches you how to use the Flight Computer, also known as a Whizz Wheel, to perform the navigation calculations you'll need to know to pass your private pilot exams. Revision pages show you how to perform navigation calculations, and then test questions let you practice doing them yourself. The questions are automatically generated to provide almost infinite variety and detailed run-throughs show you how to solve each problem. Topics covered include: - Multiplication and division - Metric to imperial conversions - Fuel weight to volume - Flight endurance calculations - Wind triangle problems - Crosswind limits - True air speed and ETA computation - Course corrections Download for free and trial four topics. PPL Navigation Trainer is the perfect way to prepare for your Navigation and Flight Performance and Planning exams.
IFR Flight Simulator
This aviation simulator helps pilots master IFR procedures and prepare for instrument ratings. Practice holdings, intercepts, and approaches with realistic flight simulation and navigation tools on your phone. Ideal for student and experienced pilots seeking convenient, effective training.
- Realistic aviation training
- Worldwide flight navigation database
- Comprehensive training modes
- Real-time flight simulator
- Integrated autopilot
- Optimal holding entry path overlay
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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/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: IFR Flight Simulator at 4.3 against PPL Navigation Trainer's 1.0. IFR Flight Simulator also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (103 vs 1). PPL Navigation Trainer's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. PPL Navigation Trainer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and IFR Flight Simulator sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
IFR Flight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Flight Simulator has 103 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of PPL Navigation Trainer's written reviews are positive against 65% of IFR Flight Simulator's.
PPL Navigation Trainer ships an update every 2 months, IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PPL Navigation Trainer | IFR Flight Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 4.3 (103 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 64.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 103 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 117 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Karl Bunyan | Tobias Maihoff |
Customer experience
PPL Navigation Trainer
IFR Flight Simulator
In-app purchases
PPL Navigation Trainer
- All subjects$8.99
IFR Flight Simulator
- Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
- Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
- Full Access$19.993 Months
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- Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Full Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
- SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
- Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99
Questions
Is PPL Navigation Trainer free?
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
Which has better reviews, PPL Navigation Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
Do PPL Navigation Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
Which is updated more often, PPL Navigation Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
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