Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Realistic aviation training
  • Worldwide flight navigation database
  • Comprehensive training modes
  • Real-time flight simulator
  • Integrated autopilot
  • Optimal holding entry path overlay
Features
Read full description

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

PPL Navigation Trainer4 screens
IFR Flight Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PPL Navigation Trainer versus IFR Flight Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPPL Navigation TrainerIFR Flight Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.3 (103 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews64.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1103 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKarl BunyanTobias Maihoff

Customer experience

PPL Navigation Trainer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%

IFR Flight Simulator

All ratings103 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral17.6%
Negative17.6%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PPL Navigation Trainer

One-time1
  • All subjects$8.99
8 purchases

IFR Flight Simulator

Subscriptions5
  • Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Full Access$19.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time3
  • 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?
PPL Navigation Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PPL Navigation Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
IFR Flight Simulator is rated higher. PPL Navigation Trainer averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 from 103 ratings.
Do PPL Navigation Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
Neither PPL Navigation Trainer nor IFR Flight Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PPL Navigation Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
PPL Navigation Trainer ships an update every 2 months, and IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. Most recently, PPL Navigation Trainer was updated on September 25, 2026 and IFR Flight Simulator on October 17, 2026.

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