Comparison

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator vs Aircraft Lights Simulator

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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.

About

Aircraft Lights Simulator

Read full description

Aircraft Lights Simulator is an educational and entertainment app for exploring the flashing rhythms of aircraft anti-collision lights. Choose an aircraft and light profile to see light positions flash on an interactive 3D model in sync with the iPhone torch. Rotate the aircraft to inspect lighting positions and patterns from different angles. Features - Built-in profiles for aircraft strobe and beacon patterns - Custom profiles you can create, edit, and delete - Synchronized iPhone torch and 3D visualization - Adjustable brightness - Timing references and confidence notes - English and Japanese interface Designed for aviation enthusiasts, spotters, and anyone curious about aircraft lighting. Actual flash patterns may vary by installed equipment, modifications, and operator. Important: This app uses strong flashing light. Do not use it if you are sensitive to flashing light. Never point the torch at people, vehicles, aircraft, pilots, windows, or reflective surfaces, and do not use it near airports, roads, or railways. This app is not intended for navigation, signaling, safety, or emergency use.

Screenshots

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator4 screens
Aircraft Lights Simulator3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Aircraft Lights Simulator at none against IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's 2. Aircraft Lights Simulator also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Aircraft Lights Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator ships an update every 3 months, Aircraft Lights Simulator every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator versus Aircraft Lights Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight Trainer SimulatorAircraft Lights Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (76 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings76 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB11 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperFlygo-Aviation Ltdstudio-LEAF Inc.

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 more
  • 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 more
  • Bearing and course to station relative to VOR1/VOR2
  • Higher difficulty levels for advanced pilots
  • Extended free trial period for proper app evaluation

Aircraft Lights Simulator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

One-time2
  • IFR Simulator Half Price$11.99
  • IFR Simulator Unlock$24.99
None

Aircraft Lights Simulator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IFR Flight Trainer Simulator free?
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aircraft Lights Simulator free?
Aircraft Lights Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or Aircraft Lights Simulator have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Trainer Simulator nor Aircraft Lights Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or Aircraft Lights Simulator?
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator ships an update every 3 months, and Aircraft Lights Simulator every 2 days. Most recently, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator was updated on October 26, 2026 and Aircraft Lights Simulator on October 29, 2026.

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