Comparison

Garmin GTN Trainer vs Cadet Vector

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

Head to head
About

Garmin GTN Trainer

Learn the basic operation of Garmin avionics with a simulated on-the-ground training environment. Practice using the pilot interface with realistic multi-touch controls, flight plan editing, and access to detailed airport information, approach charts, and weather data.

Highlights
  • Simulated multi-touch and drag interface
  • Garmin SafeTaxi airport information
  • Garmin FliteCharts approach charts
  • Worldwide terrain and aviation databases
  • Obstacle databases with powerline alerting
  • Simulated weather and traffic data
Read full description

The Garmin GTN 650 / 750 Trainer allows you to experience the pilot interface and provides an on-the-ground environment to learn the basic operation of the avionics. Train like it's the real thing! The GTN 650 / 750 Trainer includes: • Simulated multi-touch and drag interface – allows you to interact with the system, graphically edit flight plans and much more • Garmin SafeTaxi – allows you to view detailed airport information on the moving map • Garmin FliteCharts – allows you to view published approach charts • High resolution worldwide terrain maps and aviation databases • High resolution obstacle databases including powerline alerting • Simulated interfaces and data including: Garmin GDL 88 ADS-B and TCAS Traffic with TargetTrend™ Relative Motion Garmin GDL 88 FIS-B Weather Garmin GDL 69 with SiriusXM Weather Garmin GWX 70 Weather Radar L-3 Avionics WX-500 Stormscope Lightning Detection Garmin GMA Series Audio Panel Control Garmin GTX Series Mode S Transponder Simulation * Notes: The GTN 650 / 750 Trainer runs on Apple iPad 2 and newer. Supports 32 and 64-Bit Devices. * This app contains simulated data and does not receive data from or interact with real Garmin avionics. This app should not be used for actual navigation purposes.

About

Cadet Vector

Read full description

Prepare for airline cadet selection with original skill practice. Cadet Vector combines 36 drills with maths, reasoning and aviation question papers. Results describe your practice here, not your likelihood of selection. Choose your time Home opens 15- and 30-minute mixed practice plans. A fresh selection combines aptitude, maths and reasoning drills with question papers across all three question subjects. The 15-minute plan has three drills and one question paper; the 30-minute plan has six drills and two papers. Time limits exclude briefings, pauses and review. Finishing early can shorten the session. Question quizzes Open Maths, Reasoning or Aviation, choose a topic, select a numbered quiz and start. Each topic is divided into fixed groups of ten questions, with the actual remaining count in the last quiz. Free sample quizzes are listed separately. Numbered squares let you move between questions; green means answered, and a gold outline marks the current question. Change or clear answers, save questions, pause and resume, then confirm submission to see your score and explanations. Saved questions, previous mistakes and practice history remain available. 36 original drills Explore 16 aptitude, 7 maths and 13 reasoning drills. Practise attention, coordination, reaction, spatial orientation, listening, memory, numerical skills and logical thinking. Original visual previews and interactive walkthroughs retain their task controls. Learn mode is free in every drill. Short and Full timed sessions require Full Access. Free practice Try all 36 Learn modes and question mock tests drawn from 124 fixed MC sample questions across the subjects and topics. Free practice has no expiry. One purchase Full Access is a one-time non-consumable purchase for this version's complete question bank, Short and Full drill sessions and mixed practice plans. No subscription. Your store displays the current local price before purchase. Restore purchases in Settings checks ownership for the same store account. Purchases do not transfer between platforms. Question scope Independent items and parameter variants are counted separately. Foundational aviation concepts sit alongside optional advanced concept study. FAA publications are teaching references; this is not a complete or mapped FAA ATP, EASA ATPL or CASA licensing-exam bank. Programme requirements and assessment formats vary across regions. Your data Practice history stays on your device. No app account, ads, analytics, microphone or AI service. Initial purchases and restoration need a store connection. A securely stored, store-confirmed ownership cache supports up to seven days offline before rechecking. Independence Original independent practice, with some owner-authorised content reused from Holding Point. No affiliation with airlines, assessment providers or licensing authorities. No recruitment assessment is reproduced, no outcome is promised, and the app is not operational flight guidance.

Screenshots

Cadet Vector3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cadet Vector at 5.0 against Garmin GTN Trainer's 3.5. Cadet Vector also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 7 months). Garmin GTN Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (10 vs 1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Cadet Vector sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Garmin GTN Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cadet Vector holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin GTN Trainer has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin GTN Trainer ships an update every 7 months, Cadet Vector weekly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Garmin GTN Trainer versus Cadet Vector: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin GTN TrainerCadet Vector
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (10 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS13 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size2.4 GB43 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperGarmin DCIChit Ho Chung

Customer experience

Garmin GTN Trainer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral50.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews94 reviews
Positive29.8%
Neutral16.0%
Negative54.3%

Cadet Vector

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Garmin GTN Trainer

Reported bugs

75 issues
  • VNAV function does not work
  • Airplane starts on the other side of the country
  • GTN 750XI app crashes when start button is pushed
  • GTN 650 closes out and stops when going to find frequency, recent
  • App starts with a blank black screen on display
Show 70 more
  • 750 screen is black on startup
  • 650 just gets a spinning circle
  • Nothing comes on the screen
  • Loads but will not turn on
  • No button or toggle to turn on the app
  • Shows an off GPS
  • Screen is all black
  • Screen won't turn on when loading up
  • GPS Screen Blank/Black
  • Nothing loads on the display
  • App does not load anymore
  • Loads, but leaves you on a black screen with no functionality
  • App seems to be broken for the iPad
  • App doesn’t show anything on the simulated screen
  • Loads to black screen
  • Unit does not power on
  • Doesn’t work with iPadOS 17.4.1
  • GPS screen doesn’t turn on
  • Controller loads but has zero functionality
  • Garmin unit does not power on
  • App is broken
  • Slow and doesn't work
  • GTN screens are black and nothing works
  • GPS is just a black screen
  • App is unusable
  • Newest iPad version seems to have broken the entire software
  • Apps are not kept up to date
  • Simulator freezes
  • App constantly crashes
  • Airplane doesn’t start flying the route when you add airspeed and altitude
  • Airplane’s starting location can’t be moved
  • Manual doesn’t explain how to do things
  • Graphically Edit Flight Plan Mode does not seem to operate correctly
  • Jeppesen data is 2018
  • Approaches don’t exist or are hamstrung
  • GTN 650 starts at 51K in CA
  • Cannot permanently delete initial fix
  • No updated procedures for Europe
  • RNAV approaches not updated
  • ILS will not descend on autopilot
  • Manual does not work
  • Database with Europe seems to have gone away
  • Needs 6.5x update
  • Needs 6.50 or 6.51 update
  • GTN 750 looks old fashioned
  • Needs update for latest software version
  • Won’t download or install
  • Unsupported app
  • Database age
  • Missing X-Plane integration
  • Does not recognize purchase
  • Trial period expired
  • Not recognizing paid purchase
  • Does not agree with PC trainer
  • Some utilities missing
  • Layout is different
  • Sync with X-Plane needed
  • App is a trial
  • Reinitializes anytime you switch away
  • Loses flight plan and all inputs
  • Starts all over with initialization
  • Current session/flight/function is forever lost
  • Expensive for limited functionality
  • Crashes when opening app
  • Does not work with OS 11
  • App does not recognize paid purchase after upgrade
  • App switched to subscription without tracking previous payments
  • App turned paid app into a trial
  • App reinitializes when switching away
  • App loses place if you switch out of it

Requested features

25 requests
  • Integrate GFC 500 AP
  • Integrate GFC 600/700 AP
  • Add autopilot controller head
  • Add annunciation display showing AP, HDG, ALT status
  • Add fields for actual IAS and ALT of simulated airplane
Show 20 more
  • Add second radio option to audio panel
  • Add start-up field for 'Starting Location'
  • Update Jeppesen database
  • Update European procedures
  • Add linked/synchronized G5 HSI simulator
  • Add VNAV support to iPad version
  • Update app to actual current version
  • Add support for X-Plane integration over WiFi
  • Add support for Lockheeds Martin Prepar3D flight simulation
  • Add ability to sync with X-Plane
  • Add Turboprop icon
  • Add High-Wing Prop icon
  • Allow two iPads connected over WiFi/Bluetooth
  • Run GTN trainer on MacOS
  • Add dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard
  • Add vertical (Portrait mode) or Horizontal display mode support
  • Update to GTN ver. 5.0 with HTAWS
  • Make it like the $25 CD version
  • Add support for GNS430 WAAS

Cadet Vector

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Garmin GTN Trainer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Cadet Vector

One-time1
  • Full Access$7.99

Questions

Is Garmin GTN Trainer free?
Garmin GTN Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cadet Vector free?
Cadet Vector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Garmin GTN Trainer or Cadet Vector?
Cadet Vector is rated higher. Garmin GTN Trainer averages 3.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Cadet Vector averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Garmin GTN Trainer or Cadet Vector have ads?
Neither Garmin GTN Trainer nor Cadet Vector shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin GTN Trainer or Cadet Vector?
Garmin GTN Trainer ships an update every 7 months, and Cadet Vector weekly. Most recently, Garmin GTN Trainer was updated on November 1, 2026 and Cadet Vector on November 1, 2026.

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