Comparison

SimControlX vs iCESSNA Checkride Prep

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

Head to head
About

SimControlX

Control your flight simulator from your iPad with this instructor station app. Remotely manage aircraft position, weather, and system failures for realistic training and enhanced gameplay. Connects via Wi-Fi to supported simulators.

Highlights
  • iPad instructor station for flight simulators
  • Remote aircraft repositioning
  • Customizable weather settings
  • Simulated system and engine failures
  • Worldwide moving map with flight path tracing
  • Quick Wi-Fi connection to simulator
  • Fuel and battery recharge options
Read full description

SimControlX is a sophisticated iPad-based Instructor / Operator Station (IOS) for Prepar3D®, X-Plane and ELITE XTS flight simulators (please review currently supported simulator versions below). SimControlX brings updated iOS platform support, various under-the-hood improvements, a fresh look-and-feel as well as useful new features to its capable predecessor SimControl. It uses Wi-Fi to communicate to the host simulator via custom server software which can be obtained from www.simcontrol.net. SimControlX will enhance your flight simulator experience unlike any other app on the market. This app gives you the power of a powerful instructor station, in your lap! SimControlX grants users the ability to reposition aircraft instantly, change the wind and weather, fail engine components or instruments for realistic training in your simulator and much more without ever needing to get out of the captain’s chair or interrupt the simulation. This helps make the experience fun again by alleviating many of the common complaints, distractions, and tasks that require navigating through multiple computer screens. SimControlX also makes training scenarios easier than ever to achieve. With the use of instant aircraft repositioning you could, for instance, set yourself up for an approach 5, 10 or 15 nautical miles from the runway or even left or right downwind, as many times as you need or practice engine out procedures with the press of a button. Supported Simulators: - Prepar3D® v3.4, v4.0+ and 5.0+ - X-Plane 10 [64-bit] and X-Plane 11 - ELITE XTS Key Features: - Worldwide moving map screen with flight path tracing (requires internet connection) - Changing of user aircraft without using any tedious menus in the host simulator (P3D & X-Plane only) - Instant repositioning of aircraft - Set custom weather settings with multiple layers - Option to use current real METAR weather settings for your local area (requires internet connection) - Quick and easy connection to the simulator over WiFi - Fuel top off and battery recharge at the click of a button - AI traffic display on map (P3D & X-Plane only) - Dedicated failures page for instruments, systems, and engine malfunctions and random failures * This software as well as included data and charts are NOT for real world aviation use. They are intended for flight simulator use only. You must consult appropriate sources before flying a real aircraft. * More information available at www.simcontrol.net * For app support please contact support@simcontrol.net * For non-support questions, please use this email: info@simcontrol.net Credits:

 * Simulator connectivity thanks to Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D®, Laminar Research's X-Plane and ELITE Simulation Solutions XTS

About

iCESSNA Checkride Prep

This aviation training platform helps pilots prepare for exams and enhance general knowledge. It offers study tools for specific aircraft, including flashcards, quizzes, and memory item reviews. Users can also access weather information, flight planning tools, and conversion calculators.

Highlights
  • AI-generated study questions
  • Aircraft-specific flashcards and quizzes
  • Memory item and limitations review
  • Worldwide weather and flight planning
  • Aircraft conversion calculator
  • Zulu time clock
Features
Read full description

AIRCRAFT APPS - AVIATION TRAINING PLATFORM IMPORTANT NOTICE •The information provided in this application is supplemental and does not replace the aircraft flight manual. Information may vary depending on your airline or company policies and procedures. •Import your flight manuals and PDF's from your saved files on your device. Use AI to generate study questions and answers from your documents. Search content by keyword and jump directly to any page in the Files. AVAILABLE AIRCRAFT •C152, C162 Skycatcher, C172P, C172SP, C172N, C182S, C208 Caravan INTENDED USE OF AIRCRAFT APPS •Aircraft Apps are designed for pilots to study for written exams, oral exams, check rides, recurrent training, and general knowledge enhancement. APP OVERVIEW •This container includes 9 comprehensive aircraft training applications. IN-APP PURCHASE FEATURES INCLUDE: •Worldwide Weather •Airport to Airport Distance Calculator •Airport METAR and TAF Search •Custom Aircraft Flashcard Maker •Aircraft Conversion Calculator •Continuous Running Zulu Time Clock •Airline Interview Questions •Aviation AI Assistant •Flashcards •Quizzes •Memory Items •Limitations •Cockpit Diagrams •Aircraft Schematics •Training Supplements •Clear for Takeoff Aviation Mastery Challenge Game. *Try to become a Captain and score 5,500 points! FEATURE DETAILS: •Flashcards •Select any aircraft system from a dropdown menu to study technical questions about the airplane.  •Navigate easily using Back and Next buttons for efficient study sessions. QUIZZES •Choose any aircraft system from a dropdown menu to test your knowledge with multiple choice questions.  •Enhance your learning experience with optional timer and background noise settings. MEMORY ITMES •Study all aircraft memory items using an easy-to-use PDF reader with print, email, and customization capabilities. LIMITATIONS •Review all aircraft limitations in flashcard format, with a comprehensive quiz available at the end to test your knowledge retention. AIRPORTS WEATHER AND FLIGHT PLANNING •Access up-to-date weather and METAR/TAF information for any airport worldwide. Utilize the Airport Flight Planning feature to calculate distances between airports in nautical miles. With WIFI or cellular connection, your aircraft position will display on the map. CUSTOM AIRCRAFT FLASHCARD MAKER •Create personalized systems flashcards by naming categories and entering your own questions and answers. AIRCRAFT CONVERSION CALCULATOR  •Perform fast and accurate conversions of commonly used aviation calculations: •Foot to Meter •Nautical Mile to Statute Mile •Nautical Mile to Kilometer •Inch to Meter •Pound to Kilogram •Gallon US to Liter •Gallon Imperial to Liter •Fahrenheit to Celsius •Pressure inHG to hPA •Gallons to Pounds •Knots to Miles Per Hour ZULU TIME CLOCK •Located on the menu screen, this clock provides accurate Zulu time without requiring an internet connection, regardless of your location anywhere in the world. Purchase Process and Terms: Step 1: Download Aircraft Apps from the App Store. The initial download is free. Step 2: After installation, tap Aircraft Apps on the Menu Screen and browse the available in-app purchases for your specific aircraft. Step 3: Tap the Buy button under your desired aircraft. Your account will be charged a one-time fee for the material and content. Pricing varies by aircraft based on content volume and is displayed for each app. Step 4: All in-app purchases are final and cannot be canceled once completed. Step 5: Access to purchased material and content never expires. Step 6: Payment will be charged to your iTunes account upon purchase confirmation. For a complete description of in-app purchase contents, visit WWW.AIRCRAFTAPPS.COM

Screenshots

iCESSNA Checkride Prep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iCESSNA Checkride Prep at 100% against SimControlX's 50%. iCESSNA Checkride Prep also leads on price (Free vs $19.99) and rating (4.4 vs 3.5). SimControlX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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

iCESSNA Checkride Prep is free to download; SimControlX costs $19.99 up front. iCESSNA Checkride Prep sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. SimControlX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iCESSNA Checkride Prep holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of SimControlX's written reviews are positive against 100% of iCESSNA Checkride Prep's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimControlX ships an update every 6 weeks, iCESSNA Checkride Prep every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SimControlX versus iCESSNA Checkride Prep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimControlXiCESSNA Checkride Prep
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating3.5 (4 ratings)4.4 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings47 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperELITE Simulation Solutions AGAircraft Apps LLC

Customer experience

SimControlX

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

iCESSNA Checkride Prep

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SimControlX

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

iCESSNA Checkride Prep

One-time9
  • Personal Health For Pilots$19.99
  • 20 FAA Handbooks & Manuals$19.99
  • C162 Skycatcher Checkride Prep$29.99
Show 6 more
  • C172SP Checkride Prep$29.99
  • C152 Checkride Prep$29.99
  • C172P Checkride Prep$29.99
  • C208 Caravan Checkride Prep$29.99
  • C172N Checkride Prep$29.99
  • Cessna 182S Checkride Prep$29.99

Questions

Is SimControlX free?
SimControlX costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iCESSNA Checkride Prep free?
iCESSNA Checkride Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SimControlX or iCESSNA Checkride Prep?
iCESSNA Checkride Prep is rated higher. SimControlX averages 3.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while iCESSNA Checkride Prep averages 4.4 from 7 ratings.
Do SimControlX or iCESSNA Checkride Prep have ads?
Neither SimControlX nor iCESSNA Checkride Prep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimControlX or iCESSNA Checkride Prep?
SimControlX ships an update every 6 weeks, and iCESSNA Checkride Prep every 3 weeks. Most recently, SimControlX was updated on October 7, 2026 and iCESSNA Checkride Prep on October 1, 2026.

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