Comparison

Pilot Aptitude Pro vs IFR Flight Simulator

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

Head to head
About

Pilot Aptitude Pro

Prepare for pilot aptitude tests with this app designed by military aircrew. It enhances capacity, multitasking, short-term memory, and mental arithmetic skills through intuitive gameplay.

Highlights
  • Capacity and multitasking enhancement
  • Short-term memory improvement
  • Mental arithmetic training
  • Intuitive gameplay
  • Designed by military aircrew
Features
Read full description

If you're looking to pass the daunting computer-based pilot aptitude tests currently in use by both military and civilian aircrew recruitment then Pilot Aptitude Pro is the perfect companion app to sharpen up your skills. Designed by military aircrew, Pilot Aptitude Pro directly targets your increasingly important capacity and multitasking abilities, whilst at the same time enhancing your short-term memory and competence in mental arithmetic. This is achieved through simple yet highly intuitive gameplay and, with the latest update, a fresh approach to design. Pilot Aptitude Pro: Brain training for future pilots. • App Icon includes licensed artwork from Roundicons, Yannick & Freepik from www.flaticon.com. • Lobster Font Software is licensed under the SIL Open Font License, Version 1.1, Copyright Impallari Type. • Roboto Font is licensed under the Apache License v2.00, Copyright 2017 Christian Robertson.

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/

Screenshots

Pilot Aptitude Pro3 screens
IFR Flight Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: IFR Flight Simulator at Free against Pilot Aptitude Pro's $3.99. IFR Flight Simulator also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 weeks). Pilot Aptitude Pro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On ratings volume, 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

IFR Flight Simulator is free to download; Pilot Aptitude Pro costs $3.99 up front. IFR Flight Simulator sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Pilot Aptitude Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pilot Aptitude Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 106 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of Pilot Aptitude Pro's written reviews are positive against 65% of IFR Flight Simulator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pilot Aptitude Pro ships an update every 6 weeks, IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Pilot Aptitude Pro versus IFR Flight Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPilot Aptitude ProIFR Flight Simulator
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (57 ratings) — better4.3 (106 ratings)
Positive reviews74.4% of reviews — better64.7% of reviews
Number of ratings57106 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMountain Wave Media LtdTobias Maihoff

Customer experience

Pilot Aptitude Pro

All ratings56 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral7.1%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive74.4%
Neutral18.6%
Negative7.0%

IFR Flight Simulator

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

In-app purchases

None

Pilot Aptitude Pro

No in-app purchases

8 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
One-time3
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
  • Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99

Questions

Is Pilot Aptitude Pro free?
Pilot Aptitude Pro costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pilot Aptitude Pro or IFR Flight Simulator?
Pilot Aptitude Pro is rated higher. Pilot Aptitude Pro averages 4.6 out of 5 from 57 ratings, while IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 from 106 ratings.
Do Pilot Aptitude Pro or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
Neither Pilot Aptitude Pro nor IFR Flight Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pilot Aptitude Pro or IFR Flight Simulator?
Pilot Aptitude Pro ships an update every 6 weeks, and IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. Most recently, Pilot Aptitude Pro was updated on October 23, 2026 and IFR Flight Simulator on October 21, 2026.

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