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Best Instrument Flying Apps

248+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.2 avg rating
11 free apps
Updated August 2026

Looking for free instrument flying apps? 11 of our 248+ tracked titles are free to download — no subscription, no trial. The rest are premium picks worth paying for.

Compare top Instrument Flying Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1IFR Trainer Flight InstrumentsIFR Trainer Flight InstrumentsFree4.5★ (952)NoYesSep 2026
2IFR Flight Trainer SimulatorIFR Flight Trainer SimulatorFree3.9★ (76)NoYesSep 2026
3fDeck: flight instrumentsfDeck: flight instrumentsFree4.8★ (328)NoYesSep 2026
4Instrument Flying HandbookInstrument Flying Handbook$2.994.8★ (111)NoNoAug 2026
5Instrument Procedures HandbookInstrument Procedures Handbook$2.994.8★ (68)NoNoAug 2026
6BoldmethodBoldmethodFree4.9★ (823)YesYesAug 2026
7Prepware Instrument PilotPrepware Instrument Pilot$9.992.6★ (43)NoNoAug 2026
8Wingman Aircraft InstrumentsWingman Aircraft InstrumentsFree4.0★ (1)NoNoMay 2026

Top Picks for Instrument Flying

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments#1

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments by Flygo-Aviation Ltd

Sim for VOR, ILS, HSI, Holding
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.5(952 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments screenshot 1
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments screenshot 2
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments screenshot 3
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments screenshot 4
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments screenshot 5
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments screenshot 6

Master instrument flying with interactive modules and a built-in simulator. Practice navigation instruments, IFR procedures, and holding patterns. Ideal for student pilots and instructors preparing for instrument ratings.

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator#2

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator by Flygo-Aviation Ltd

Aviation trainer for pilots
Strong Contender
📚 Education
3.9😐(76 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator screenshot 1
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator screenshot 2
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator screenshot 3
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator screenshot 4
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator screenshot 5
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator screenshot 6

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.

What We Love

  • 👍 User-friendly interface and intuitive controls
  • 🎓 Excellent learning tool for IFR training and instrument procedures
  • 🎮 Comprehensive customization options (wind, runway, conditions)
  • 📊 Dual view modes (cockpit and map/plan view)
  • 🎯 Realistic flight modeling and aerodynamics
  • 🔧 Adjustable difficulty levels for all skill levels
  • 📱 Works seamlessly on both iPad and smartphone
  • 💡 Blind practice exercises for skill development
  • 🏆 Helpful for IFR rating preparation and practice
  • 🎪 Engaging cockpit mode for realistic simulation

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Aggressive monetization with limited free trial
  • ⏱️ Unreasonably short trial period (3-5 minutes)
  • 🔒 Paywall blocks most features in free version
  • 🎯 Unrealistic immediate heading changes (no standard rate turns)
  • 🐛 Occasional app crashes and stability issues
  • ⚙️ Heading indicator sometimes gets stuck
  • 📍 HSI radial tracking appears inaccurate
  • 🚫 Missing common instrument options (fixed-card ADF, LOC mode)
  • ⏰ Turn rate doesn't match real aircraft (1 min vs 2 min standard)
  • 🔍 No feedback on incorrect task execution
fDeck: flight instruments#3

fDeck: flight instruments by Darren Yeates

Ad-free cockpit in your pocket
Worth Considering
🗺️ Navigation
4.8😊(328 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
fDeck: flight instruments screenshot 1
fDeck: flight instruments screenshot 2
fDeck: flight instruments screenshot 3
fDeck: flight instruments screenshot 4
fDeck: flight instruments screenshot 5
fDeck: flight instruments screenshot 6

This app provides a comprehensive flight deck with realistic instruments for aviation enthusiasts and pilots. It includes navigation tools, real-time weather, and traffic data, functioning as both a training aid and a supplementary instrument set.

What We Love

  • 👍 Extremely easy to use and navigate
  • 💡 Comprehensive aviation instruments (compass, altimeter, VSI, attitude indicator, ADF, VOR, HSI)
  • 🎯 Useful for training, learning, and practice
  • ✈️ Reliable backup instrument for real flights
  • 🗺️ Integrated map and flight planning features
  • ⚡ Responsive and smooth performance
  • 🌍 Real-time weather data (METARS, TAFS, radar)
  • 💰 Good value for lifetime unlock pricing
  • 🤝 Excellent developer support and responsiveness
  • 🎨 Professional design and presentation
  • 📱 Works well on multiple devices (iPhone, iPad)
  • 🔧 Highly configurable and flexible instrument layouts

Room to Improve

  • 📺 Intrusive ads in free version (full-screen, hard to close)
  • 🔄 Compass and map pointer display inverted on some devices
  • 🗺️ Map loading issues and missing sectional charts
  • 🔌 X-Plane simulator connection glitchy and unreliable
  • 📱 No iPad split-screen support
  • 📊 VSI accuracy issues on some devices
  • 🎯 VOR OBS reverse sensing (displays like back course)
  • ⚠️ Incompatible with some older iPhone models (SE screen format)
  • 🔋 Weather data occasionally inaccurate (pressure readings off)

More Instrument Flying apps to explore

FAQ about Instrument Flying

What are the best instrument flying apps for iPhone?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments tops our instrument flying apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.5-star average from 952 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 11 of the top instrument flying apps we rank are free to download, including IFR Trainer Flight Instruments and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator.
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 248+ instrument flying apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app serves as an all-in-one IFR trainer, helping users master instrument flying. It includes interactive modules for navigation instruments like VOR and ILS, IFR procedures, and holding patterns, along with a built-in simulator.
Key features include step-by-step learning for navigation instruments, interactive exercises with animations, a built-in IFR simulator, and practice with real-world holding entries such as parallel, teardrop, and direct.