Holding Pattern Computer vs HoldCalcPro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Holding Pattern Computer
Master complex flight maneuvers with intuitive, turn-by-turn guidance for various entry types and holds. This app analyzes wind patterns and flight dynamics to provide real-time, adaptive directions, minimizing pilot workload and maximizing path accuracy for safe navigation.
- Turn-by-turn guidance for Direct, Teardrop, and Parallel entries
- Real-time wind correction and flight dynamics analysis
- High-Precision Entry (HPE) system
- Advanced Holding Pattern Solution (HPS)
- EFC algorithms
- Hybrid Parallel/Teardrop entry method
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Fly with Confidence: Holding Pattern App Elevate your flying skills with Version 3.0 of the Holding Pattern App, meticulously crafted by aerospace experts. Ideal for both new and experienced pilots, this app turns complex flight maneuvers into simple, intuitive instructions. Navigate the skies with precision using our turn-by-turn guidance for Direct, Teardrop, and Parallel entries and holds, ensuring perfect alignment with your flight path. Our patented technology analyzes wind patterns and flight dynamics to provide real-time, actionable directions that adapt to your needs, from bank limits to wind adjustments. Version 3.0 introduces the only High-Precision Entry (HPE) system integrated with advanced Holding Pattern Solution (HPS) and EFC algorithms. Tested in real aircraft and simulators, including a 747-400 and a 747-400 Level D simulator, this update minimizes pilot workload and maximizes path accuracy. Experience our innovative Hybrid Parallel/Teardrop entry method to manage airspace efficiently, even in strong winds. Each feature is designed with safety in mind, from individual data input screens that enhance focus to comprehensive guides and resources for in-depth learning. The new update also includes improved dialog boxes for crucial data input and seamless integration into your flight routine, ensuring you stay within FAA-regulated airspace. With the Holding Pattern App, excellence in flying isn’t just a goal—it’s your new reality. Ready to transform your flying experience? Download now and visit HoldingPattern.com for more information.
HoldCalcPro
This app calculates precise headings and times for flight holding patterns and entry procedures. It offers visual and textual representations of the procedure, aiding pilots in understanding and executing them correctly. Features include synchronized views and playback for detailed analysis.
- Precise heading and time calculations
- Visual graph of holding pattern
- Textual step-by-step instructions
- Simulated cockpit PFD view
- Synchronized multi-view playback
- Wind direction and speed indicator
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HoldCalcPro calculates the precise headings and times required to perform the proper entry procedure, and holding pattern. A simple input page allows a pilot to quickly enter the hold data with the onscreen keyboard and selector buttons, without the need to direct attention away from other tasks. Press "Calculate" to update the answer screens: a "Graph" for an overhead view, a "Text" page listing all the steps for the entry and the holding pattern, and a "PFD" page allowing the pilot to see what the indications in the cockpit would look like while performing each step. Once your hold has been calculated the graph view allows orienting the hold as it would be on a chart (North Up) or with the holding course toward the top of the screen. The graph view also includes a wind direction and speed indicator, a legend for a sense of scale, a North indicator, and the outbound heading and time required for the hold. A yellow, segmented line indicates the FAA's "70° line" for determining which entry procedure to use, and this line is drawn 1 NM to either side of the fix to help with the scale of the hold. The text view plainly shows the required entry procedure, and EVERY heading needed to complete the entire entry and hold, as well as the time for each segment. No other holding pattern calculator gives you the exact headings and times to fly for the entry procedure - there is no guesswork involved in getting you to line up with the inbound course exactly as you roll out of your turn. The PFD view allows the pilot to see what the indications will look like when the procedure is executed properly, helping instrument students compare the procedure to the instrument readings, and enhancing the development of situational awareness. Compare different views side-by-side (2 views on iPhone in landscape, and 3 views simultaneously on iPad) and use the playback controls to go through the hold second-by-second. The entry and hold are divided into segments, and as you move through the procedure (with the Play, Next, and Prev buttons) the graph view, text view, and PFD view show a synchronized movement through every second. This is the ultimate in building the visualization required for instrument flying, as the overhead view clearly shows where the plane is, as the PFD shows CDI movements, RMI needles, DME readout, and each segment can be played, and replayed. To get a quick preview of the entire hold, set the playback speed to 8X, and the playback to "Auto", and the entire procedure will sequence itself. For the seasoned professional pilot, the "answer" you want is in the upper-left corner of the graph view. No more adjusting the outbound time or heading to eventually get the "perfect" roll out on the inbound. Just do it the first time. This app is a must-have for instrument flight instructors hoping to help their instrument students develop the ability to turn holding instructions into action. The entry steps alone can help you perform flawless procedure turns that join the final approach course as you roll out on the required heading to track the final! While holding patterns are not usually done for entertainment, why increase your workload while there are more important things to consider (like: Where is the weather good? How long can I spend in this hold before "Bingo"? and, Are there alternates I've yet to consider?) Make your instrument flying more comfortable and enjoyable by giving yourself the opportunity to manage your flight, rather than play "guess-and-check" bracketing your outbound course and time.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: HoldCalcPro at $4.99 against Holding Pattern Computer's $11.99. HoldCalcPro also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 91%). Holding Pattern Computer's advantage is ratings volume (176 vs 4) and update cadence (every 11 months vs every 25 months). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Holding Pattern Computer costs $11.99 and HoldCalcPro $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Holding Pattern Computer against 5.0 for HoldCalcPro. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Holding Pattern Computer has 176 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Holding Pattern Computer's written reviews are positive against 100% of HoldCalcPro's.
Holding Pattern Computer ships an update every 11 months, HoldCalcPro every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Holding Pattern Computer | HoldCalcPro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $11.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (176 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 176 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months — better | Every 25 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 — better | 14.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aviation Mobile Apps, LLC. | Kingswell Productions |
Customer experience
Holding Pattern Computer
HoldCalcPro
In-app purchases
Holding Pattern Computer
No in-app purchases
HoldCalcPro
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Holding Pattern Computer free?
Is HoldCalcPro free?
Which has better reviews, Holding Pattern Computer or HoldCalcPro?
Do Holding Pattern Computer or HoldCalcPro have ads?
Which is updated more often, Holding Pattern Computer or HoldCalcPro?
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