Comparison

Holding Pattern Trainer vs Holding Pattern Computer

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

Head to head
About

Holding Pattern Trainer

Master IFR holding pattern entries on your mobile device to save time and money on instrument flight training. Practice at your convenience to make choosing the correct entry a breeze.

Highlights
  • Entry Trainer for holding pattern drills
  • Holding calculator for scenario visualization
  • Holding tutorial for quick learning
  • Practice at your own pace
  • Save on flight and ground lessons
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Save time and money on your instrument flight training by mastering IFR holding pattern entries at the comfort of your own mobile device. Make IFR flight training easier! Is the following scenario familiar? You receive a holding clearance from ATC, and only have a couple of minutes, sometimes only a few seconds, to choose the correct entry. By the time you've figured out what's going on, you've already passed the holding fix and don't know what to do next. If this sounds familiar, then you need not to worry. Confusion during holding entries happens to practically almost every new instrument student. Even instrument-rated pilots occasionally have the same problem — when they don't get enough practice. Holding Trainer solves this problem and as a result, cuts the time you have to spend on expensive flight and ground lessons. With Holding Trainer, you can practice on your own time and convenience, so that choosing the best holding entry in the air becomes a breeze. Features: -Entry Trainer - Drills you on choosing the best holding entry. Practice until choosing holding entries becomes second nature and impress your flight instructor with your skills. -Holding calculator. Solve and visualize any holding scenario by entering your current bearing to the fix and a outbound or inbound holding radial. -Holding tutorial - learn how to choose the best holding entry quickly and easily. Holding Trainer for iOS is a complete rewrite based on my popular Flash-based desktop Holding Trainer app available on pilotscafe.com. ***Don't get "stuck" next time you receive a holding pattern clearance!*** ---------------------------------- For only a fraction of the cost of one ground lesson with your flight instructor, you can practice this important instrument skill at your own pace and save hundreds of Dollars on figuring out holding entries in the air. This is a great tool for anyone training towards their instrument checkride, CFII, proficiency check, or simply trying to improve their holding patterns. ----------------------------------

About

Holding Pattern Computer

Master complex flight maneuvers with intuitive, turn-by-turn guidance for various entry types and holds. This app analyzes wind patterns and flight dynamics to provide real-time, adaptive directions, minimizing pilot workload and maximizing path accuracy for safe navigation.

Highlights
  • Turn-by-turn guidance for Direct, Teardrop, and Parallel entries
  • Real-time wind correction and flight dynamics analysis
  • High-Precision Entry (HPE) system
  • Advanced Holding Pattern Solution (HPS)
  • EFC algorithms
  • Hybrid Parallel/Teardrop entry method
Features
Read full description

Fly with Confidence: Holding Pattern App Elevate your flying skills with Version 3.0 of the Holding Pattern App, meticulously crafted by aerospace experts. Ideal for both new and experienced pilots, this app turns complex flight maneuvers into simple, intuitive instructions. Navigate the skies with precision using our turn-by-turn guidance for Direct, Teardrop, and Parallel entries and holds, ensuring perfect alignment with your flight path. Our patented technology analyzes wind patterns and flight dynamics to provide real-time, actionable directions that adapt to your needs, from bank limits to wind adjustments. Version 3.0 introduces the only High-Precision Entry (HPE) system integrated with advanced Holding Pattern Solution (HPS) and EFC algorithms. Tested in real aircraft and simulators, including a 747-400 and a 747-400 Level D simulator, this update minimizes pilot workload and maximizes path accuracy. Experience our innovative Hybrid Parallel/Teardrop entry method to manage airspace efficiently, even in strong winds. Each feature is designed with safety in mind, from individual data input screens that enhance focus to comprehensive guides and resources for in-depth learning. The new update also includes improved dialog boxes for crucial data input and seamless integration into your flight routine, ensuring you stay within FAA-regulated airspace. With the Holding Pattern App, excellence in flying isn’t just a goal—it’s your new reality. Ready to transform your flying experience? Download now and visit HoldingPattern.com for more information.

Screenshots

Holding Pattern Trainer4 screens
Holding Pattern Computer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Holding Pattern Computer at 4.9 against Holding Pattern Trainer's 4.1. Holding Pattern Computer also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 77%). Holding Pattern Trainer's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $11.99) and chart position (#11 vs unranked). On ratings volume, 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

Holding Pattern Trainer costs $4.99 and Holding Pattern Computer $11.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Holding Pattern Computer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 114 and 176 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Holding Pattern Trainer's written reviews are positive against 91% of Holding Pattern Computer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Holding Pattern Trainer ships an update every 5 months, Holding Pattern Computer every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Holding Pattern Trainer versus Holding Pattern Computer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHolding Pattern TrainerHolding Pattern Computer
Price$4.99 — better$11.99
Rating4.1 (114 ratings)4.9 (176 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews90.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings114176 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#11 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.4
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFLEMINGER MEDIA LLCAviation Mobile Apps, LLC.

Customer experience

Holding Pattern Trainer

All ratings114 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral4.4%
Negative18.7%

Holding Pattern Computer

All ratings176 ratings
Positive98.3%
Neutral1.1%
Negative0.6%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral4.5%
Negative4.5%

Bugs and requests

Holding Pattern Trainer

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • Entries are wrong for turns
  • Plan view is incorrect
  • App drawing entries in wrong directions
  • Slicing the fix completely wrong
  • Bearing questions are wrong
Show 10 more
  • App does not apply reciprocal track to 'pod'
  • Giving wrong answers
  • Visualizer is mirrored to map plan view (user confusion)
  • Practice screen plan view incorrect
  • App craps out and goes to a black screen
  • Guide lines separating direct, parallel, and teardrop incorrectly in practice mode visualization
  • Not updated for iOS 11
  • App loads upside down
  • Button sensitivity could be better
  • Cannot change values on hold computer

Requested features

11 requests
  • Include more methods in tutorial
  • Add teardrop heading to fly
  • Allow practice with bearings on/off
  • Show outbound teardrop/inbound parallel correction headings
  • Work in portrait mode
Show 6 more
  • Add voice ATC instructions
  • More variety in questions
  • Larger text for older users
  • More tips for newbies
  • Ability to fly the hold like a nav trainer
  • Use real-life ATC phrases in exercises

Holding Pattern Computer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Holding Pattern Trainer

No in-app purchases

None

Holding Pattern Computer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Holding Pattern Trainer free?
Holding Pattern Trainer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Holding Pattern Computer free?
Holding Pattern Computer costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Holding Pattern Trainer or Holding Pattern Computer?
Holding Pattern Computer is rated higher. Holding Pattern Trainer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 114 ratings, while Holding Pattern Computer averages 4.9 from 176 ratings.
Do Holding Pattern Trainer or Holding Pattern Computer have ads?
Neither Holding Pattern Trainer nor Holding Pattern Computer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Holding Pattern Trainer or Holding Pattern Computer?
Holding Pattern Trainer ships an update every 5 months, and Holding Pattern Computer every 11 months. Most recently, Holding Pattern Trainer was updated on September 22, 2026 and Holding Pattern Computer on September 20, 2026.

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