Comparison

iBFD vs Flight Display

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

iBFD

This iPhone-based backup flight display offers pilots essential instruments like an attitude indicator, heading indicator, and altimeter. It functions as a flight data and cockpit voice recorder, utilizing GPS and gyro sensors for accuracy. While not FAA certified, it provides a valuable reference during emergencies.

Highlights
  • Attitude Indicator
  • Heading Indicator
  • Altimeter
  • Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
  • Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
  • Map with airport direction/distance
  • Multiple display color modes
Features
Read full description

integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) Pilots understand the risk of a primary flight instrument failure while flying. In certain situations the loss of the Attitude Indicator is perhaps the greatest risk a pilot can face. This iPhone based integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) is an inexpensive, easy to operate tool intended to reduce risk and improve safety if an instrument fails and no other backup is available. This application consists of an Attitude Indicator, Heading Indicator, Altimeter, Vertical Speed Indicator, speed Indicator, Side Slip Indicator, and Clock. Furthermore, in the portrait mode of the iPad, a Map is displayed below the Attitude Indicator, and when you enter an airport code such as KFTW, the direction and distance to the airport are displayed. It can also be used as Flight Data Recorder(FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR). This function is activated by touching the red circle in the upper left corner. Recording is stopped by touching the red circle again or it will be stopped automatically when large G is applied. iBFD uses the iPhone's 3 axis Gyro sensor as its primary sensor. Pitch and Roll angles are calculated using the Gyro data and the same algorithm as strap down Inertial Reference Systems (IRS). GPS and Accelerometer are used with Kalman filter as sensor fusion to prevent gyro drift and improve Accuracy. The iBFD performs noticeably better than other comparable applications on the market. Unfortunately the iBFD doesn't have FAA certification. It doesn't have enough reliability for use as Primary Flight Instruments, and neither our software nor your iPhone have been subjected to rigorous certification tests. And the accuracy of Map and Airport Information is not guaranteed. All information displayed on the iBFD is for reference only! Therefore, we are not responsible for any death, injury or damage as a result of using the iBFD. USE THIS DEVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Nevertheless, during an In Flight Emergency having an iBFD is far better than having no instrument at all. Particularly if in a limited visibility situation with an inoperative Attitude Indicator. Engine vibration can affect accuracy of the iBFD, so special consideration must be given to mounting the iPhone to the cockpit instrument panel or glare shield. Other features (1) There are three display color modes; Day, Night or NVC. (2) Altitude/Speed is selectable in units of feet/knots, feet/MPH or meter/kilometers per hour. (3) Airspeed is calculated using GPS Speed, Wind Direction, and Wind Velocity. Wind Direction and Velocity are obtained via ATIS and set manually. (4) Pitch angle zero can be adjusted manually by touching center of the display or slider setting. (5) Magnetic Heading or True Heading, and GPS or M.S.(Magnetic Sensor) are selectable. (6) Settings Window for entering parameters and user preferences. (7) Battery Icon indication. (8) Recorded data can be accessed by Files. (9) Magnetic Heading can be adjusted with the slider. (10) Function to correct roll angle. However, when performing this function, the iPhone needs to be correctly placed horizontally. (11) Local time or UTC is selectable. (12) GPS Altimeter and Barometric Altimeter. (13) Roll indication by Sky pointer and Ground pointer. Note: Initial roll and pitch angle are calculated using the accelerometer at the time of alignment (same as real IRS). Therefore, if acceleration due to motion is applied during alignment, an angle error will occur. However, such initial angle error automatically decreases with time and disappears after a few minutes in case of level flight.

About

Flight Display

Read full description

The Flight Display provides you with main flight instruments in digital format. Your iPhone or Cellular iPad already has all required sensors inside – just install the app and it is ready for flight. The Flight Display’s fusion algorithms use internal device GNSS module and sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer) to calculate all parameters. NOTE: Device internal GNSS module does not provide required stability and precision? Just connect an external GNSS sensor (receiver) to your device and it is ready for more! The Flight Display app is simple and flexible, offering you to: - Create multiple profiles for different aircrafts or conditions. One profile – one unique set of settings; - Setup units and ranges of displayed parameters. Enable alarms for parameters and adjust alarm intervals; - Customize appearance of indicators; - Select portrait or landscape interface orientation; - Mount the device in any position inside the cabin – the app is smart enough to perform correct calculation of attitude and all other parameters even if the device axes are not aligned with the aircraft axes. Just run app’s built-in device orientation adjustment mode and fix the device in any convenient position. List of indicators: - Primary Display indicator; - Ground speed indicator; - Altitude indicator; - Heading indicator; - Turn coordinator/Turn indicator; - Chronometer (with multiple time display modes); - Flight info indicator; - GNSS info indicator; - Device status info indicator; - Destination point info indicator. Result fusion parameters / calculated parameters: - Heading (based on GNSS course/magnetic heading/true magnetic heading); - Ground speed; - Altitude; - Attitude angles (pitch and roll); - Coordinates; - Heading rate; - Flight parameters (time, passed distance, average speed, distance to start point); - Destination point parameters (distance, azimuth, course, reach time).

Screenshots

iBFD2 screens
Flight Display4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iBFD at $11.99 against Flight Display's $12.99. iBFD also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

iBFD costs $11.99 and Flight Display $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
iBFD versus Flight Display: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriBFDFlight Display
Price$11.99 — better$12.99
Rating3.5 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTatsuo SaekiNAVSTEP, TOO

In-app purchases

None

iBFD

No in-app purchases

None

Flight Display

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iBFD free?
iBFD costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Flight Display free?
Flight Display costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do iBFD or Flight Display have ads?
Neither iBFD nor Flight Display shows ads.

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