Comparison

Private Pilot Test Prep vs Private Pilot Course

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

Head to head
About

Private Pilot Test Prep

Prepare for your FAA written test with this comprehensive study tool. It offers three modes: study questions by topic with detailed explanations, review using flashcards, and take full-length practice tests. Track your progress with detailed reports.

Highlights
  • Study questions by topic
  • Custom review sessions
  • Detailed answer explanations
  • Flashcard review mode
  • Simulated practice tests
  • Progress reports
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Sporty's Study Buddy will prepare you for the FAA written test like no other study tool available with three modes of operation. Test material is expertly organized into categories based on subject matter and includes, questions, answers, correct answers, and detailed explanations. • STUDY QUESTIONS BY TOPIC • Learning Mode allows you to create custom review sessions by selecting exactly which categories you want to review. Each session randomly generates the question order, and provides instant feedback based on your answer selection. Each question also provides a detailed description as to why each answer is right or wrong. These explanations were developed by Sporty’s team of Master CFI’s, based on their experience preparing students for the Private Pilot certificate • REVIEW QUESTION FLASHCARDS • Flashcard mode tests your knowledge by allowing you to only see the question without the answer choices. After answering the question mentally, you can then select to show the correct answer, and self-grade your progress along the way. This is a great feature that keeps you from being distracted by incorrect answers! • TAKE PRACTICE TESTS • Test mode randomly generates a 60-question session from the entire database of published FAA test questions, simulating the real Private Pilot test. After answering all the questions, you’ll be given instant results, and have the option to review either all the questions, or just missed questions. Included in the review session are the same detailed explanations for why each answer is right or wrong. •PROGRESS REPORTS• After completing each test your results are saved in the app's Progress Report section, where you can review previous scores and and a detailed history of each question and answer selection. You can also pause a partially-completed session, and resume it at a later time here.

About

Private Pilot Course

This app provides comprehensive HD video instruction and detailed animations for essential flight maneuvers. It covers takeoffs, landings, and complex maneuvers with explanations of FAA standards and common errors. Ideal for student pilots preparing for lessons or private pilots refreshing their skills.

Highlights
  • In-flight HD video instruction
  • Detailed animation of maneuvers
  • FAA Private Pilot Practical Test preparation
  • Explanation of PTS standards
  • Common errors and avoidance
  • Includes FAA handbooks and quiz
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Private Pilot Course (Flight) App gives you two and a half hours of in-flight HD video and detailed animation including an in depth explanation of the takeoffs, landings and maneuvers needed to pass your FAA Private Pilot Practical Test. All Takeoffs, Landings and Maneuvers are flown in a Cessna 172 in San Diego. We filmed each maneuver with multiple cameras and camera angles and provide real HD quality for the best learning experience. All video and animations are designed to help you understand how to perform everything correctly. We use no fillers that waste your time. Just what you need to know and how to do it right. It's the perfect way for student pilots to prepare for every flight lesson or private pilots for your flight review. AOPA PILOT magazine called our Apps "solid and reliable" in it's Dec 2011 issue. The Private Pilot Course - Flight App contains: •Normal and Crosswind Take Off •Short Field and Soft Field Take Off •Normal and Crosswind Landings •Short Field and Soft Field Landings •Rectangular Course •Turns Around a Point •S-Turns •Slow Flight •Power On Stall •Power Off Stall •Emergency Descents •Emergency Approach and Landing •Steeps Turns •Go Arounds •Explanation of PTS standards for each maneuver •Common errors (and how to avoid them) for each maneuver Due to HD video, this App is 1.2GB. Please make sure you have enough space on your device. Includes FAA Private Pilot PTS and Airplane Flying Handbook as well as a challenging quiz to test what you've learned Visit www.flighttrainingapps.com for a free preview and information on our 100% money back satisfaction guarantee.

Screenshots

Private Pilot Test Prep4 screens
Private Pilot Course4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Private Pilot Test Prep at $14.99 against Private Pilot Course's $59.99. Private Pilot Test Prep also leads on ratings volume (115 vs 4) and chart position (#20 vs #180). Private Pilot Course's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (92% vs 82%). On update cadence, 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

Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 and Private Pilot Course $59.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Private Pilot Course holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Pilot Test Prep has 115 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Private Pilot Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 92% of Private Pilot Course's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, Private Pilot Course every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and August 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Private Pilot Test Prep versus Private Pilot Course: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Pilot Test PrepPrivate Pilot Course
Price$14.99 — better$59.99
Rating4.3 (115 ratings)4.5 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews92.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings115 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#20 — better#180
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB2.1 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopFlight Training Apps, Inc.

Customer experience

Private Pilot Test Prep

All ratings115 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral5.2%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral6.2%
Negative12.3%

Private Pilot Course

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral7.7%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Private Pilot Test Prep

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes in test mode
  • Progress not saved on phone
  • Blackout bug when viewing figures or rotating screen
  • Crashes after deleting test sessions
  • Not updated for iPhone X
Show 1 more
  • Save function issues

Requested features

9 requests
  • Ability to save flagged questions across sessions
  • Randomized questions in test mode
  • Improved cross-device progress syncing (iCloud)
  • Interactive map features for practice
  • Search functionality for specific questions
Show 4 more
  • Dark mode option
  • Compatibility with iPhone X
  • More sample test questions from FAA
  • Bundle option for instrument written prep

Private Pilot Course

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Private Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

None

Private Pilot Course

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Private Pilot Test Prep free?
Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Private Pilot Course free?
Private Pilot Course costs $59.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Private Pilot Test Prep or Private Pilot Course?
Private Pilot Course is rated higher. Private Pilot Test Prep averages 4.3 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while Private Pilot Course averages 4.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Private Pilot Test Prep or Private Pilot Course have ads?
Neither Private Pilot Test Prep nor Private Pilot Course shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Pilot Test Prep or Private Pilot Course?
Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, and Private Pilot Course every 5 months. Most recently, Private Pilot Test Prep was updated on September 21, 2026 and Private Pilot Course on August 21, 2026.
Which is more popular, Private Pilot Test Prep or Private Pilot Course?
Private Pilot Test Prep currently peaks at #20 in the App Store charts, and Private Pilot Course at #180. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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