iBFDmonochrome vs Aviation SixPack
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iBFDmonochrome
This app provides pilots with a backup flight display, including an attitude indicator, heading indicator, and altimeter. It can also function as a flight data and cockpit voice recorder, offering essential information in emergencies when primary instruments fail.
- Attitude Indicator
- Heading Indicator
- Altimeter
- Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
- Map with airport information
- Multiple display color modes
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integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) Real 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 indicator (Sky pointer or Ground pointer) is selectable. 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.
Aviation SixPack
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This is the standard Aviation Sixpack of the six most widely used instruments in general aviation. No Ads, No In-App purchases and No data is gathered by the developer. In addition to the six gauges, the app also shows the ground wind speed, the city and state location you are flying over, and the current GPS co-ordinates. Tapping the top BRT button toggles bright and dark display. The Airspeed indicator uses calculations between GPS ground speed, wind speed and direction, and compass direction to determine the airspeed near ground level where takeoff and landing take place. Tapping the Airspeed indicator toggles between MPH, Knots and KPH. Tapping the compass toggles between True North and Magnetic North and uses GPS for greater accuracy irrelevant of phone position, but only works when in steady motion. Tapping on the Turn and Bank gauge toggles between Horizontal and Vertical mounting of the device, and also adjusts the compass for same. The city and state of your current location is displayed so you know what is directly below you. The wind speed shows current wind speed at ground level as reported by the weather service in that location. GPS co-ordinates display your current location. PLEASE NOTE: Airspeed readings are approximate, because your device uses wind speed as reported by the weather service in a nearby location, not where you actually might be. NOT MADE TO BE USED FOR AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION, but it can provide some emergency data in the event of an aircraft panel failure.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: iBFDmonochrome at Free against Aviation SixPack's $0.99. iBFDmonochrome also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). Aviation SixPack's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 11 months) and chart position (#154 vs unranked). 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
iBFDmonochrome is free to download; Aviation SixPack costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iBFDmonochrome ships an update every 11 months, Aviation SixPack every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iBFDmonochrome | Aviation SixPack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (9 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 88.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | — | #154 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tatsuo Saeki | Richard Bennette |
In-app purchases
iBFDmonochrome
No in-app purchases
Aviation SixPack
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iBFDmonochrome free?
Is Aviation SixPack free?
Do iBFDmonochrome or Aviation SixPack have ads?
Which is updated more often, iBFDmonochrome or Aviation SixPack?
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