Instrument Pilot Checkride vs Boldmethod
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Instrument Pilot Checkride
This app prepares aspiring pilots for their instrument rating practical exam by providing over 700 likely examiner questions and succinct answers. It covers all essential topics, follows Airman Certification Standards, and helps identify knowledge gaps for efficient study.
- Over 700 questions and answers
- Covers all instrument rating topics
- Based on Airman Certification Standards
- Flag questions for further study
- Includes CFII specific chapter
- Researched using FAA documents
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Using a question-and-answer format, Instrument Pilot Checkride lists the questions most likely to be asked by examiners during the last step in the pilot certification process – the Practical Exam – and provides succinct, ready responses. Pilots will find this App an indispensable tool in both planning for what to expect during the instrument rating checkride, and mastering the subject matter. Instructors rate them as excellent preparation for students, as well as preps for Instrument Proficiency Checks (IPC), aircraft transitions, and as general refresher material. Effective preparation for tests issued under the guidance of the Airman Certification Standards. This Instrument Pilot Checkride app is based on the popular Instrument Oral Exam Guide Eleventh Edition book by Jason Blair. It is designed for pilots training for the Instrument Rating or the Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) certificate. More than 700 questions and responses ensure all the subjects an Instrument Rating candidate will be tested on during checkrides and IPCs are covered. Organization follows the Airman Certification Standards and topics include: preflight, departure, en route, arrival, and scenario-based training. A separate chapter is provided for Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) applicants. 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 include the ACS code and can be marked for further study from any subject to build your own collection of flashcards. An Applicant Practical Test Checklist and Instrument Proficiency Check Guidance document 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 700 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, Instrument Oral Exam Guide Eleventh Edition, by Jason Blair. • Brought to you by a trusted resource in aviation training and publishing, Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA).
Boldmethod
Enhance your aviation knowledge with extensive video training and online courses. Practice with quizzes and master essential piloting skills like takeoffs, landings, airspace navigation, and weather interpretation. Prepare for checkrides and improve your flying proficiency.
- Extensive video training library
- Online aviation courses
- Pilot knowledge quizzes
- Master takeoffs and landings
- National Airspace System training
- Aviation weather interpretation
- VFR charts and publications
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Want to improve your piloting skills? Then the Boldmethod app is for you. With over 50 hours of videos and online training courses, you'll walk away with the knowledge that makes you a better pilot. Access your Boldmethod training courses in one app, watch the latest training videos, and test your knowledge with quizzes. What's new? The Feed and Challenges tabs are the place to start learning or to brush up on your aviation knowledge. When you're ready to take the next step, sign up for courses to truly master your pilot knowledge. MASTERING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS Do you have a perfect landing every time? Neither do we. This video course helps you master your takeoffs and landings. Whether you're trying to stop floating past your landing point or trying to smooth out your touchdown, you'll learn how to fix any of your takeoff and landing problems with this simple-to-use online course. The course breaks down takeoffs and landings into sections: Normal Takeoffs Traffic Patterns Normal Landings Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings Short Field Takeoffs and Landings Soft Field Takeoffs and Landings Non-Standard Takeoffs and Landings Night Takeoffs and Landings NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM Our airspace course covers everything you need to know about the National Airspace System, including Class A-G airspace, Special Use Airspace, and Other Airspace. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down airspace into sections: Class A airspace Class B airspace Class C airspace Class D airspace Class E airspace Class G airspace Special use airspace Other airspace AVIATION WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS Our weather course covers everything you need to know about aviation weather, including METARs, TAFs, Pilot Reports, Graphical Forecasts For Aviation, Winds Aloft Forecasts, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down aviation weather into sections: METARs TAFs PIREPs Graphical Forecasts For Aviation Winds Aloft Forecasts AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs VFR CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS Our charts course covers everything you need to know about VFR charts and publications, including sectional charts, terminal area charts, the Digital Chart Supplement, and NOTAMs. The course breaks down publications into sections: Sectional Charts Terminal Area Charts Digital Chart Supplement NOTAMs MOUNTAIN WEATHER Do you want to feel more comfortable flying around the high country? Boldmethod's Mountain Weather course helps make that happen. You'll learn how to evaluate mountain weather during your planning and while you're in flight. You'll also learn how terrain generates updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, and storms, and changes the direction of the wind throughout the day. The course breaks down weather into sections: Mountain Waves Strong Surface Winds Updrafts, Downdrafts, And Turbulence Convergence Zones Coastal Mountain Wind Systems The North American Monsoon Daily (Diurnal) Winds In Valleys Mountain Thunderstorms
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Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Boldmethod at 97% against Instrument Pilot Checkride's 0%. Boldmethod also leads on price (Free vs $9.99) and rating (4.9 vs 2.4). Instrument Pilot Checkride's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). On iOS requirement 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
Boldmethod is free to download; Instrument Pilot Checkride costs $9.99 up front. Boldmethod sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Instrument Pilot Checkride asks for nothing beyond the download.
Boldmethod holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boldmethod has 980 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Instrument Pilot Checkride's written reviews are positive against 97% of Boldmethod's.
Instrument Pilot Checkride ships an update every 25 months, Boldmethod every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Instrument Pilot Checkride | Boldmethod |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 2.4 (9 ratings) | 4.9 (980 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 97.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 980 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 25 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #181 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ASA | BoldMethod, LLC |
Customer experience
Instrument Pilot Checkride
Boldmethod
Bugs and requests
Instrument Pilot Checkride
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Boldmethod
Reported bugs
2 issues- Crashing or freezing issues
- Compatibility problems with older devices
Requested features
2 requests- Provide explanations for incorrect answers in quizzes
- Improve navigation and progress tracking through courses
In-app purchases
Instrument Pilot Checkride
No in-app purchases
Boldmethod
- Aviation Weather Products$19.99
- National Airspace System$19.99
- VFR Charts$19.99
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- National Airspace System$24.99
- Aviation Weather Products$24.99
- VFR Charts and Publications$24.99
- Mastering Takeoffs & Landings$139.99
- Mountain Weather$299.99
- Instrument Procedures$499.99
Questions
Is Instrument Pilot Checkride free?
Is Boldmethod free?
Which has better reviews, Instrument Pilot Checkride or Boldmethod?
Do Instrument Pilot Checkride or Boldmethod have ads?
Which is updated more often, Instrument Pilot Checkride or Boldmethod?
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