Comparison

Instrument Pilot Test Prep vs Flight Instructor Checkride

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

Head to head
About

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

Prepare for your FAA Instrument Pilot written test with a comprehensive study tool. It offers three modes: study questions by topic, review using flashcards, and take simulated practice tests. Detailed explanations and progress reports help you track your learning.

Highlights
  • Study questions by topic
  • Customizable review sessions
  • Flashcard mode for knowledge testing
  • Simulated 60-question practice tests
  • Detailed explanations for answers
  • Progress reports and test history
  • High-resolution FAA figures and legends
Features
Currently charting
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Sporty's Study Buddy will prepare you for the FAA Instrument Pilot 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 Instrument Rating. • 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 Instrument 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. Also includes the new upgraded test prep supplement (figures and legends) from the FAA, with new high-resolution images.

About

Flight Instructor Checkride

Prepare for your flight instructor certification practical exam with this comprehensive Q&A tool. It covers over 1000 likely examiner questions and provides succinct answers, drawing from FAA documents and examiner interviews. Identify knowledge gaps and build confidence for your checkride.

Highlights
  • Over 1000 Q&A for practical exams
  • Succinct, ready responses
  • Based on popular oral exam guide
  • Covers all CFI certificate subjects
  • Flag questions for further study
  • Includes applicant practical test checklist
Features
Currently charting
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Using a question-and-answer format, Flight Instructor Checkride lists the questions most likely to be asked by examiners during the last step in the flight instructor certification process – the Practical Exam – and provides succinct, ready responses. Instructor applicants will find this App an indispensable tool in both planning for what to expect during the airplane checkride, and mastering the subject matter. Instructors rate them as excellent preparation for students, as well as general refresher material. This Flight Instructor Checkride app is based on the popular Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide book by Michael Hayes. It is designed for instructor applicants training for the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificate. More than 1000 questions and responses ensure all the subjects a Flight Instructor candidate will be tested on during checkrides and review flights are covered. Topics include: fundamentals of instructing, technical subject areas (such as runway incursion avoidance, scanning, navigation, logbook entries and certificate endorsements, etc.), preflight preparation, preflight procedures, airport operations, takeoffs, landings and go-arounds, fundamentals of flight, performance and ground reference maneuvers, slow flight, stalls and spins, basic instrument maneuvers, emergency operations, postflight procedures. Answers and explanations were researched using FAA documents (which are identified so pilots know where to go for further study) as well as interviewing FAA examiners. Questions can be marked for further study from any subject to build your own collection of flashcards. An Applicant Practical Test Checklist and the Safety of Flight appendix from the Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-25) are also included. Compatible with iOS phones and tablets, this app teaches applicants not only what to expect, but also how to exhibit subject mastery and confidence when under the examiner’s scrutiny. It identifies candidates’ strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in their aeronautical knowledge, which increases study efficiency. App features: • More than 1000 questions are included with succinct, ready responses. • Questions from any subject can be flagged for further study into a separate group. • Includes all the questions and answers from the popular book, Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide by Michael Hayes. • Brought to you by a trusted resource in aviation training and publishing, Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA).

Screenshots

Instrument Pilot Test Prep4 screens
Flight Instructor Checkride4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Flight Instructor Checkride at 3.5 against Instrument Pilot Test Prep's 3.1. Flight Instructor Checkride also leads on price ($9.99 vs $14.99) and review sentiment (50% vs 39%). Instrument Pilot Test Prep's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 19 months) and ratings volume (16 vs 2). On ads, in-app purchases, chart position 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

Instrument Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 and Flight Instructor Checkride $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Flight Instructor Checkride holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Instrument Pilot Test Prep has 16 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Instrument Pilot Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 50% of Flight Instructor Checkride's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Instrument Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 5 months, Flight Instructor Checkride every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Instrument Pilot Test Prep versus Flight Instructor Checkride: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstrument Pilot Test PrepFlight Instructor Checkride
Price$14.99$9.99 — better
Rating3.1 (16 ratings)3.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews39.3% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 19 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#193#187 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopASA

Customer experience

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

All ratings16 ratings
Positive43.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive39.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative46.4%

Flight Instructor Checkride

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

None

Flight Instructor Checkride

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Instrument Pilot Test Prep free?
Instrument Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Flight Instructor Checkride free?
Flight Instructor Checkride costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Instrument Pilot Test Prep or Flight Instructor Checkride?
Flight Instructor Checkride is rated higher. Instrument Pilot Test Prep averages 3.1 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Flight Instructor Checkride averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Instrument Pilot Test Prep or Flight Instructor Checkride have ads?
Neither Instrument Pilot Test Prep nor Flight Instructor Checkride shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Instrument Pilot Test Prep or Flight Instructor Checkride?
Instrument Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 5 months, and Flight Instructor Checkride every 19 months. Most recently, Instrument Pilot Test Prep was updated on October 13, 2026 and Flight Instructor Checkride on October 5, 2026.
Which is more popular, Instrument Pilot Test Prep or Flight Instructor Checkride?
Instrument Pilot Test Prep currently peaks at #193 in the App Store charts, and Flight Instructor Checkride at #187. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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