Comparison

Mental Math for Pilots vs ATC

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

Head to head
About

Mental Math for Pilots

Features
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Mental Math for Pilots is the only training tool designed specifically to bridge the gap between "knowing the formula" and "executing under pressure." We’ve stripped away the textbook definitions and focused entirely on the high-speed calculations you’ll actually face in the sim, the cockpit, and the interview room. How do I calculate a reciprocal heading in my head? Forget the mental strain of adding or subtracting 180Β°. Instead, use the 200/20 Rule. For headings less than 180Β°: Add 200, then subtract 20. Example: For 090Β°, add 200 (290), then subtract 20 to get 270Β°. For headings greater than 180Β°: Subtract 200, then add 20. Example: For 222Β°, subtract 200 (022), then add 20 to get 042Β°. Pro Tip: No matter the heading, the last digit always remains the same. It’s your built-in "sanity check." While the concept is simple, and you may know already, mastery comes from repetition. With Mental Math, you will practice these scenarios until they transition from "calculation" to "instinct," making your cockpit management seamless and instantaneous. Take your cockpit calculations to the next level with the Mental Math for Pilots, the ultimate interactive digital application designed to help you master airborne math without relying on calculators or electronics. Whether you are a student pilot building fundamental skills, a professional prepping for a competitive airline technical interview, or a seasoned aviator looking to sharpen your numerical intuition, this app provides the dynamic, randomized practice you need. Mods Foundations of Mental Math: Build a rock-solid base with randomized addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division practice using rounding tricks and carry/borrow methods. You will also memorize essential squares and square roots to quickly solve for aerodynamic formulas. Navigation & E6B: Ditch the mechanical flight computer. Learn to instantly convert clock time to decimal hours, calculate reciprocal headings, and master unit conversions (NM, SM, km, knots). Effortlessly calculate Time-Speed-Distance, fuel planning (for both VFR and IFR using Avgas and Jet A), fuel dumping times, and apply the 60-to-1 rule for DME arcs. Performance & Weather: Make crucial preflight and in-flight weather calculations in your head. Estimate dynamic hydroplaning speeds based on tire pressure, calculate true airspeed from indicated, and perform rapid Celsius/Fahrenheit temperature conversions. The app also trains you to calculate ISA temperature deviations, pressure altitude, crosswind/headwind components, and drift angles. Instrument Procedures: Perfect your IFR flying. Calculate enroute descents using the 3-to-1 rule, constant-rate descents, or pitch-attitude methods. Easily compute Visual Descent Points (VDP) using DME and timing methods, establish visual glidepath checkpoints, and anticipate magnetic compass errors using UNOS and ANDS rules. Scenario-Based Integration: Test your real-world readiness with complex, multi-step ATC clearance and performance planning scenarios that require you to combine multiple formulas and make rapid decisions under pressure. Assessments & Study Aids: Comprehensive Mental Math Tests: Simulate the pressure of an airline interview with 25-question timed assessments. Test your knowledge across all categories and aim for an 80% passing score within the 30-minute time limit. Interactive Explanations: Get stuck? The app provides step-by-step explanation templates and hints to walk you through the mental logic of every single problem. Quick Reference Guide: Instantly access a master formula list and a library of aviation memory aids and mnemonics right from your device. Download Mental Math for Pilots Trainer today, leave the calculator in your flight bag, and stay ahead of the airplane! Legal Information Terms of Use (EULA) : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://tabbythecat.com/mental-math-for-pilots/privacy-policy

About

ATC

Features
Read full description

Designed For Student Pilots who are leaning to talk on the radio! ATC Trainer helps pilots practice radio communication in common towered and non-towered airport scenarios. Work through realistic ATC calls, listen to clearances out loud, and practice responding with speech. The app checks your readback and lets you know what was correct or what was missed, helping you build cleaner, more confident radio habits. Practice scenarios include ground operations, in-air instructions, and airport arrivals. You can also set your aircraft tail number and airplane make so calls are personalized to your aircraft. Features β€’ Towered and non-towered airport scenarios β€’ Ground, in-air, and approaching airport practice β€’ Speech-to-text readback practice β€’ Feedback for missing or incorrect readback items β€’ Optional spoken ATC clearances β€’ Custom tail number and airplane make β€’ Voice selection support for installed iOS voices β€’ Practice for taxi, takeoff, traffic, approach, landing, and pattern calls

Screenshots

Mental Math for Pilots4 screens
ATC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ATC at none against Mental Math for Pilots's 2. ATC also leads on iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

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

Both are free to download. Mental Math for Pilots sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. ATC asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Mental Math for Pilots versus ATC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMental Math for PilotsATC
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyβ€”Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.018.6 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size13 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSelcuk DolapciDaniel Moran

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Mental Math for Pilots

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$99.991 Year
None

ATC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mental Math for Pilots free?
Mental Math for Pilots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ATC free?
ATC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Mental Math for Pilots or ATC have ads?
Neither Mental Math for Pilots nor ATC shows ads.

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