Comparison

IFR Flight Simulator vs Airfoil Design

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

Head to head
About

IFR Flight Simulator

This aviation simulator helps pilots master IFR procedures and prepare for instrument ratings. Practice holdings, intercepts, and approaches with realistic flight simulation and navigation tools on your phone. Ideal for student and experienced pilots seeking convenient, effective training.

Highlights
  • Realistic aviation training
  • Worldwide flight navigation database
  • Comprehensive training modes
  • Real-time flight simulator
  • Integrated autopilot
  • Optimal holding entry path overlay
Features
Read full description

Practice holdings, radial intercepts, and DME arcs on your phone before your next simulator session. Calculate the procedure, fly it with live instruments, and review your track in the debrief. IFR Flight Simulator combines focused IFR procedure training with real-time flight simulation, worldwide navigation data, and a choice of glass cockpit or classic gauges. What you can practice: • Holding Trainer: Randomized holding situations. Determine the entry, calculate the wind correction angles, then fly the pattern. • Intercept Trainer: Inbound and outbound radial intercepts as well as QDM/QDR intercepts. • DME Arc Trainer: Fly DME arcs and calculate the angle of lead to turn onto the inbound course at the right moment. • Approaches: Set up a final intercept, a position in the pattern (downwind, base, or final), or a full approach at any airport, including ILS. • IFR mental math: Practice entries, wind correction angles, and lead points until the calculations become automatic. Worldwide navigation database: • Navigation data from a recent AIRAC cycle, with worldwide coverage: 13,000+ airports and 10,000+ VORs, NDBs, and other navaids. • Train with real airports and navaids instead of generic exercise locations. Real-time flight simulator: • Modern glass cockpit (PFD and ND) or classic gauges. • Autopilot with rotary controls for heading, altitude, and speed, or fly manually by tilting your device. • Fast-forward mode to repeat procedures efficiently. • Live Map: your position and flight path in real time. • Live Needle Overlay: watch where the HSI and CDI needles actually point as they move with the aircraft symbol across the map. • Optimal Holding Entry Path Overlay: compare your flown track with the wind-corrected entry and holding pattern. • Flight Log with Debrief: every flight is recorded. Replay the track and the needle movement, or resume the flight later. Built for instrument rating training, proficiency practice, and simulator assessments. "I am currently training for my Instrument Rating, and my FI recommended this app to me. I didn't think such a high quality, useful training tool was possible as an app. Incredible for VOR bearings, practicing holds and command headings." App Store review by Sa4mmy Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com. Disclaimer: This application is for training and educational purposes only. It must not be used for real-world flight planning or in-flight decision-making. While the developer strives to provide information and calculations that are as accurate and up-to-date as reasonably possible, they may still be incomplete or inaccurate, and other accepted methods exist for deriving procedures and correction angles. Always verify data against official aeronautical publications and follow the guidance of a certified flight instructor. The developer accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from use of this software. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Airfoil Design

This application allows users to design and analyze aircraft wing sections using advanced numeric methods and CFD simulations. It offers tools for creating custom airfoil geometries, real-time aerodynamic analysis, and importing existing designs.

Highlights
  • NACA airfoil generation
  • Real-time aerodynamic analysis
  • Airfoil import from database
  • Custom mesh generation
  • CFD simulation engine
  • Streamlines and CP vector visualization
Features
Read full description

Airfoil Design is the ultimate tool for designing and analyzing aircraft wing sections. With advanced numeric methods, custom mesh generation, and real-time aerodynamic analysis, you can create and refine complex airfoil geometries with precision. Our CFD simulation engine accurately solves Euler's equations, providing insights into compressible, non-viscous flows, including shockwave formations. Key Features: - Design Flexibility: Generate and customize airfoil geometries with 4 types: NACA 4-digit, NACA 5-digit, Modified NACA 4-digit, and Modified NACA 5-digit airfoils. - Real-Time Analysis: Adjust airfoil shapes using intuitive sliders and instantly see the impact on aerodynamic coefficients. - Airfoil Import: Easily import existing airfoils from the airfoiltools.com database. - Custom Mesh Generation: Create o-type grid meshes with our built-in generator and export them for use in other applications. - Advanced CFD Simulation: Simulate airflow around your designs with our powerful CFD engine, now featuring touch pan/zoom, streamlines, CP vectors, and second-order solver. Visualize results with the new Coolwarm color map and export them as PDFs. Whether you’re a professional aerospace engineer or a student of aerodynamics, Airfoil Design offers the tools you need to innovate and explore. Download now to start your aerodynamic journey on your iPad or iPhone. Note: The app is continuously being improved, with new features and bug fixes on the way.

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens
Airfoil Design4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Airfoil Design at none against IFR Flight Simulator's 6. IFR Flight Simulator's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.9) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 10 days). On price, review sentiment, 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. IFR Flight Simulator sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Airfoil Design asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IFR Flight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Flight Simulator has 107 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of IFR Flight Simulator's written reviews are positive against 63% of Airfoil Design's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, Airfoil Design every 10 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
IFR Flight Simulator versus Airfoil Design: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight SimulatorAirfoil Design
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (107 ratings) — better3.9 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews64.7% of reviews — better62.5% of reviews
Number of ratings107 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias MaihoffCharles Bilodeau-Berube

Customer experience

IFR Flight Simulator

All ratings103 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral17.6%
Negative17.6%

Airfoil Design

All ratings17 ratings
Positive70.6%
Neutral5.9%
Negative23.5%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative31.3%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

IFR Flight Simulator

Subscriptions5
  • Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Full Access$19.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year
None

Airfoil Design

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Airfoil Design free?
Airfoil Design is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IFR Flight Simulator or Airfoil Design?
IFR Flight Simulator is rated higher. IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 out of 5 from 107 ratings, while Airfoil Design averages 3.9 from 19 ratings.
Do IFR Flight Simulator or Airfoil Design have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Simulator nor Airfoil Design shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Simulator or Airfoil Design?
IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, and Airfoil Design every 10 days. Most recently, IFR Flight Simulator was updated on November 3, 2026 and Airfoil Design on November 3, 2026.

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