Comparison

Private Pilot Test Prep vs Sky

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

Sky

Features
Read full description

Sky-Bound is the most complete FAA checkride prep app for student pilots and certificated aviators. Built around the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS), every piece of content is mapped to the exact knowledge areas you'll be tested on. CERTIFICATION TRACKS Study for 7 FAA certificates and ratings in one app: • Private Pilot (PPL) • Instrument Rating (IFR) • Commercial Pilot (CPL) • Multi-Engine (ME) • Multi-Engine Commercial (MEC) • Flight Instructor (CFI) • Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) PRACTICE TESTS 3,768 questions across 73 test categories — rewritten for accuracy and ACS alignment. Choose from curated presets or build a custom test by category. Wrong answers link directly to the relevant study material and flashcards so you can close the gap immediately. FLASHCARDS WITH SPACED REPETITION 4,325 flashcards organized into 69 ACS-aligned categories. Our SM-2 spaced repetition algorithm schedules your reviews automatically — easy cards come back less often, harder ones more often — so you retain more with less time studying. MOCK CHECKRIDE Full oral exam simulation across all certification tracks. Exam mode with timer. Practice the real checkride experience before you sit across from a DPE. STUDY PLAN A structured Duolingo-style curriculum that walks you through each ACS area of operation in sequence. Daily sessions combine study content, flashcards, and practice questions. Spaced reviews are scheduled automatically after each completed day. STUDY CONTENT In-depth written material for every ACS area of operation across all 7 tracks — not just definitions, but the concepts behind them. Covers systems, regulations, weather, navigation, aerodynamics, and more. FAR/AIM REFERENCE 84 sections of the FARs and AIM, filtered by certification track, available offline. INTERACTIVE TOOLS • VFR Sectional chart symbols (37 symbols with tap-to-learn) • IFR En Route chart symbols (36 symbols) • METAR decoder with live weather interpretation • Holding pattern entry visualizer with animation and quiz mode • Pilot equations reference (13 equations) • Radio communications practice with ATC scenarios MISSED QUESTION BANK Every question you get wrong is automatically saved. Review your weak areas by track, filter by resolved status, and track your improvement over time. FLIGHT HOUR TRACKER Log your flight hours and automatically check your progress against Part 61 requirements for each certificate. Color-coded progress bars show exactly where you stand. Built for serious student pilots who want to pass — not just practice. see terms and conditions. http://Sky-bound.app/terms

Screenshots

Private Pilot Test Prep4 screens
Sky4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Sky at Free against Private Pilot Test Prep's $14.99. Private Pilot Test Prep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#14 vs unranked). On ads 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

Sky is free to download; Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 up front. Sky sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Private Pilot Test Prep asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Private Pilot Test Prep versus Sky: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Pilot Test PrepSky
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (115 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings115 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#14 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopJeffrey Yost

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

Sky

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Private Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Sky

Subscriptions2
  • Sky-Bound Pro Monthly$19.991 Month
  • Sky-Bound Pro Yearly$119.991 Year

Questions

Is Private Pilot Test Prep free?
Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sky free?
Sky is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Private Pilot Test Prep or Sky have ads?
Neither Private Pilot Test Prep nor Sky shows ads.

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