Comparison

FAA vs Pocket Pilot

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

Head to head
About

FAA

Features
Read full description

Master your FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test with a study app built to make exam preparation simple and structured and efficient. No matter if you are starting your flight training or brushing up before test day app gives you the tools to learn faster and retain the concepts that matter. Track your test performance revisit missed questions and strengthen your skills with targeted practice. App is built for aspiring pilots who want a reliable and easy way to prepare anytime and anywhere. Study with confidence and move closer to earning your Private Pilot certificate. Included Test Categories: Aerodynamics Airspace Flight Operations Cross Country Planning Flight Instruments Communications and Radar Services Weather Electronic Navigation Federal Aviation Regulations Weight and Balance Disclaimer: Some content and features in this app are available only through an inapp purchase or active subscription. Access to all tests premium questions and advanced features requires purchasing these options. Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/bhautikkumar/privacy-policy Terms & Conditions : https://sites.google.com/view/bhautikkumar/term-and-conditions

About

Pocket Pilot

Features
Read full description

Pocket Pilot is a complete ground school for the FAA Private Pilot written test. It teaches every subject with structured lessons, then tests you with full-length mock exams, so you know you're ready before you schedule the real thing. Updated for the 2026 FAA Knowledge Test. Most test prep apps are a question bank and nothing else. Pocket Pilot teaches first: when you miss a question, the lesson that explains it is already in the app, not in a textbook you have to buy separately. Everything works offline, at the airport or anywhere without signal. WHAT YOU GET • Structured lessons: short, focused sections with clear diagrams that break dense topics down, so you understand the material instead of memorizing answers. • 1,000+ questions: every one explained, referenced, and linked to the lesson that teaches it. • Full mock written exams: 60 questions, a 70% passing score, and a real time limit. Review every question afterward to see exactly where you went wrong. • Spaced repetition: questions you miss come back at the right interval, so weak spots get extra practice while mastered ones fade out. • Progress tracking: completion, quiz, and exam scores for every subject, so you know when you're ready to take the written ahead of your checkride. • Streaks, XP, and levels: small daily habits that keep the studying going. • Works offline: all content ships inside the app. No signal required. • Dark mode: every screen, not just the reader. Follows your device setting, or set it yourself. FAA PRIVATE PILOT SUBJECTS Regulations Ā· Aerodynamics Ā· Flight Instruments Ā· Aircraft Systems Ā· Weather Ā· Weather Services Ā· Flight Performance Ā· Navigation Ā· Airport Operations Ā· Aeromedical Training under EASA or the UK CAA instead? Pocket Pilot covers those private pilot exams too, with progress tracked separately. FREE TO START No account needed. Pick FAA and your first subject is free. Upgrade to Pocket Pilot Pro any time to unlock every subject, full mock exams, and unlimited review. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Pocket Pilot Pro is available as an auto-renewing subscription (Monthly or Annual) or as a one-time Lifetime purchase. Prices are shown in the app in your local currency. Payment is charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel a subscription in your App Store account settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://www.getpocketpilot.app/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.getpocketpilot.app/terms

Screenshots

FAA4 screens
Pocket Pilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pocket Pilot at every 2 weeks against FAA's every 8 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. FAA sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Pocket Pilot sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FAA ships an update every 8 months, Pocket Pilot every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
FAA versus Pocket Pilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFAAPocket Pilot
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB80 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperBhautikkumar KalariyaMatthew Lynam

In-app purchases

4 purchases

FAA

Subscriptions2
  • FAA Private Pilot : Yearly Pro$4.997 Days
  • FAA Private Pilot : Weekly Pro$24.991 Year
One-time2
  • FAA Private : Lifetime Gift Pro$9.99
  • FAA Private Pilot : Lifetime Pro$19.99
3 purchases

Pocket Pilot

Subscriptions2
  • Pocket Pilot Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pocket Pilot Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pocket Pilot Pro (Lifetime)$39.99

Questions

Is FAA free?
FAA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pocket Pilot free?
Pocket Pilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FAA or Pocket Pilot have ads?
Neither FAA nor Pocket Pilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FAA or Pocket Pilot?
FAA ships an update every 8 months, and Pocket Pilot every 2 weeks. Most recently, FAA was updated on October 28, 2026 and Pocket Pilot on October 28, 2026.

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