IFR Flight Trainer Simulator vs Ranger Trainer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator
Practice instrument flight rules (IFR) navigation with this simulator. Learn and improve IFR procedures, including VOR, NDB, and holding patterns. Offers cockpit and map modes with adjustable wind and built-in tasks for comprehensive pilot training.
- Cockpit and map modes
- VOR, NDB, DME, HSI, EHSI, RMI instruments
- Approach procedure practice
- Adjustable wind settings
- Holding pattern simulation
- Custom scenario creation
- Built-in training tasks
Read full descriptionHide full description
Flying by instrument flight rules (IFR) is not an easy task, especially for student pilots. With the IFR Flight Trainer Simulator, students can easily develop and experienced pilots can quickly improve their understanding of IFR navigation. This is the perfect app for learning and practicing IFR procedures, and it is much cheaper than a single flight hour. Try it out if you want to acquire an instrument rating or just want to brush up your IFR skills. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator was designed with simplicity and intuitive operability in mind. The instruments available are: VOR, RMI, HSI, EHSI, DME, Directional Gyro and airspeed indicator. Thanks to a NAV 1 and a NAV 2 modes, you will also be able to train for two NDB/VOR approaches. Main features: • COCKPIT/MAP - Use the cockpit mode to practice and use the map mode to set up a scenario and check you progress. Both the aircraft and ground stations can be easily relocated to a new position by dragging and dropping them. • VOR, DME, HSI, EHSI, RMI - This aviation app is carefully designed to reflect the characteristics of different instruments. Choose between VOR or NDB navigation, select your instruments (HSI/EHSI or RMI) and a speed range up to 400 kts. • APPROACH PROCEDURES - IFR Flight Trainer Simulator will help learn how to track a radial, how to intercept a radial outbound, inbound, how to fly a DME arc, and so on. It is the simplest way to learn the navigation procedures inside out! • WIND - Have you become familiar with all the procedures? Add some wind to spice things up. The wind settings are displayed on separate screen, where you can set its direction and speed to increase the challenge. • HOLDING - Set and practice standard or non-standard holding patterns. Test you skills with VOR or NDB fix holdings. You already know where your next flight will happen? Build a scenario for it in the app to practice what awaits you in real life. This way you can practice your flight in a safe environment before facing the real challenge in the cockpit. If you want to learn the essentials, take a look at the built-in tasks as well. All features: • Use the classic or glass cockpit mode to simulate what you see in a real aircraft • Use the map mode to learn and understand the procedures from a third-person point of view • Choose between VOR and NDB navigation • Use the following, carefully designed instruments: RMI, HSI, EHSI, Directional gyro, DME, Airspeed indicator • Fly your own routes by creating challenging scenarios, using holding patterns and adjusting the wind • Test your knowledge through various built-in tasks • Drag & drop the aircraft or ground station symbols to move them around quickly • Turn the aircraft with 1.5°/s, 3°/s (standard), 6°/s and 9°/s modes, or just simply rotate the compass dial • View your flight path by enabling the aircraft track trail • Simulate winds up to 50 kts • Practice IFR flying procedures by generating random scenarios Download the app to see for yourself whether we can help you learn the essentials of IFR navigation. Try it for free and prepare at home without wasting expensive flight or simulator time.
Ranger Trainer
This app offers an instrument navigation trainer for the TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopter. It provides free features for radial interception and beacon tracking, with a full version offering advanced wind modeling, directional gyro failure practice, and multiple display options.
- Instrument navigation training
- Radial interception
- NDB tracking
- Rate turns
- Wind modeling
- Partial-panel practice
Read full descriptionHide full description
Get your head in the clouds with this instrument trainer for the TH-57C Sea Ranger. Why sit behind a computer screen or fight for simulator time when you can have the next best thing with this app! Free features include navigation aid radial interception and non-directional beacon tracking information, and standard and half-standard rate turns at a set airspeed. Full version features include a variety of airspeeds, accurate wind modeling of up to 140 knots with ground track references, selectable navigation needles and sources, selectable NAVAID with/without DME, ability to fail directional gyro for partial-panel practice, and multiple display and orientation options. *** This application is not endorsed by the Department of Defense ***
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: IFR Flight Trainer Simulator at 82% against Ranger Trainer's 0%. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator also leads on ratings volume (76 vs 19). Ranger Trainer's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Ranger Trainer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Ranger Trainer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 76 and 19 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's written reviews are positive against 0% of Ranger Trainer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator ships an update every 3 months, Ranger Trainer monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | IFR Flight Trainer Simulator | Ranger Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (76 ratings) | 4.6 (19 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 81.5% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 76 — better | 19 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 155 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | Flygo-Aviation Ltd | Matthew Krivohlavy |
Customer experience
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator
Ranger Trainer
Bugs and requests
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator
Reported bugs
6 issues- App crashes after short usage periods
- Heading indicator gets stuck causing continuous turning
- HSI radials appear to be offset or incorrect
- DME distance calculations may be inaccurate (slant range issue)
- Task completion triggers before reaching waypoints
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- OBS cannot be changed without paid upgrade
Requested features
8 requests- Standard rate turn simulation for realistic intercepts and holdings
- LOC (Localizer) mode for HSI reverse sensing practice
- Fixed-card ADF instrument option
- Adjustable turn rate settings to match different aircraft
- Error feedback display showing incorrect flight paths
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Bearing and course to station relative to VOR1/VOR2
- Higher difficulty levels for advanced pilots
- Extended free trial period for proper app evaluation
Ranger Trainer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator
- IFR Simulator Half Price$11.99
- IFR Simulator Unlock$24.99
Ranger Trainer
- Full Version$1.99
Questions
Is IFR Flight Trainer Simulator free?
Is Ranger Trainer free?
Which has better reviews, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or Ranger Trainer?
Do IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or Ranger Trainer have ads?
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or Ranger Trainer?
Other comparisons















