IFR Holding Pattern Trainer vs IFR Flight Simulator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
IFR Holding Pattern Trainer
This aviation trainer helps IFR pilots and students master complex holding procedures through explanations, visual aids, and interactive learning. It includes a test module and a quick finder map to enhance understanding and preparation for exams.
- Interactive learning system
- Visual illustrations of holding patterns
- Direct, parallel, and teardrop entry explanations
- Test module with feedback
- Quick Finder map view
- Tested by real pilots and instructors
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Holding Pattern (IFR) Instructor is specially designed for IFR pilots and students to better understand how to manage holdings, one of the most complex IFR procedures. This app provides significant insights into holding procedures as an educational method, combining clear explanations, visual illustrations, and interactive practice tools. ALREADY TESTED BY REAL PILOTS AND INSTRUCTORS Holding Pattern (IFR) Instructor has been developed and tested by real pilots and trainers, covering the full range of holding scenarios, including situations that frequently cause difficulties in real operations. This ensures a learning experience that goes beyond any other app available in this area. CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVED AT FLIGHT SCHOOLS The teaching method implemented in Holding Pattern (IFR) Instructor is used at flight schools all around the world, contributing to a higher proportion of successful exams. This achievement makes our app so popular among students and instructors alike. INTERACTIVE LEARNING SYSTEM The built-in interactive learning system guides users through all three holding entry types - direct, parallel, and teardrop - with step-by-step explanations and visual illustrations. The exclusive FlyGo Trick provides a simple six-step method to always select the correct entry type with confidence. TEST MODULE The test module lets users practise identifying the correct entry procedure for any combination of aircraft heading and inbound course, with immediate visual feedback to reinforce learning. TIMING QUIZ A dedicated quiz module to master outbound leg timing. Users practise calculating the required outbound flight time based on observed inbound duration and altitude, and learn to apply the EASA wind correction rule for precise heading corrections. INTERCEPT AND TRACK QUIZ Sharpen your intercept and tracking skills with practical quiz questions: determine the correct intercept angle based on CDI deviation and inbound course, and calculate wind-corrected headings for accurate track following. QUICK FINDER Quick Finder provides an interactive compass and heading control where all critical paths and directions of the holding pattern are visualised in real time. Students can instantly see the correct entry type, standard and non-standard pattern variants, and experiment with any combination of heading and inbound course - with an optional help overlay for guided learning. GAME MODE Put your knowledge to the ultimate test with the gamified map-based practice mode. Compete for the best score and challenge others via Game Center integration. ----- FOR STUDENTS If you are a student, then we wish good luck for the preparation and good luck for the examination! FOR INSTRUCTORS If you are a flight trainer, then we hope you will find useful our app and it helps your students better understand holding patterns! Enjoy our app and FLY SAFE! The FlyGo-Aviation team
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.
- Realistic aviation training
- Worldwide flight navigation database
- Comprehensive training modes
- Real-time flight simulator
- Integrated autopilot
- Optimal holding entry path overlay
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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/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: IFR Flight Simulator at Free against IFR Holding Pattern Trainer's $5.99. IFR Flight Simulator also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.0) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). IFR Holding Pattern Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9). On 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
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download; IFR Holding Pattern Trainer costs $5.99 up front. IFR Flight Simulator sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. IFR Holding Pattern Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.
IFR Flight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Flight Simulator has 103 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of IFR Holding Pattern Trainer's written reviews are positive against 64% of IFR Flight Simulator's.
IFR Holding Pattern Trainer ships an update every 3 months, IFR Flight Simulator weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | IFR Holding Pattern Trainer | IFR Flight Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 2.0 (2 ratings) | 4.3 (103 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | 63.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 103 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 151 MB | 116 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Flygo-Aviation Ltd | Tobias Maihoff |
Customer experience
IFR Holding Pattern Trainer
IFR Flight Simulator
In-app purchases
IFR Holding Pattern Trainer
No in-app purchases
IFR Flight Simulator
- Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
- Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
- Full Access$19.993 Months
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- Full Access7 Days trial2 variants$59.991 Year
- SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
- SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
- Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99
Questions
Is IFR Holding Pattern Trainer free?
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
Which has better reviews, IFR Holding Pattern Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
Do IFR Holding Pattern Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
Which is updated more often, IFR Holding Pattern Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
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