Blog

Becoming a pilot requires hours of dedication to careful studying and training. Ideally, student pilots should enroll in a formal ground school course to learn the fundamentals of flying. However, with enough discipline and time, students can also learn through a self-study method.

Fortunately, today’s student pilots have dozens of resources and training tools at their disposal to help them study on their own or supplement ground school lessons, including flight training apps for smartphones or tablets. Here’s a short list of popular apps designed to help student pilots train and study at any time or any place.

Private Pilot Test Prep

For years, future pilots have relied on studying the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) to prepare for the FAA written test. Now, a study tool app developed by Sporty’s Pilot Shop is available to help student pilots to train and study on the go. In the app, material from the FAR/AIM is organized into categories based on subject matter and includes flashcards, practice tests, and progress reports. The app is available for purchase for both Apple and Android devices.

myE6B Aviation Calculator

This app offers over 75 convenient flight planning calculations for easier flight planning, including time, speed, and distance calculations, fuel calculations, wind calculations, altitude calculations, plus more than 65 unit conversions. The app also includes aviation weather reports, and the ability to browse a database of reporting stations worldwide. The myE6B app is available for purchase for Apple devices.

CloudAhoy

CloudAhoy is a favorite among student pilots and seasoned pilots alike. The app captures in-flight data to provide a detailed post-flight debrief including the flight path, weather, wind, altitude, and more which can be viewed in 2D or 3D on any computer platform. Pilots can overlay their flight path on aviation charts, terrain maps, or satellite images. Student pilots can share their flight data with their CFI for a more in-depth flight debriefing on each stage of flight. Flight logging, listing, and viewing is free on the app, and flight debriefing is available as part of an annual paid subscription for Apple devices.

The AOPA app

The Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) recently released the AOPA app, a convenient way for pilots of all skill levels to stay up to date  with general aviation news, articles, safety and training resources, podcasts, videos, and events. AOPA members can log in using the app to access personal account details, event announcements, and pilot alerts. The AOPA app is available free for Apple and Android devices, plus student pilots are eligible for a free six-month subscription to the AOPA magazine.

LiveATC Air Radio

Communicating effectively with air traffic controllers is one of the most important skills students pilots must learn. One helpful way for students to get accustomed to the language of aviation is by listening to interactions between ATC and pilots while on the ground. With apps like LiveATC Air Radio, pilots just need an internet connection to access live radio conversations from over 1,200 airports around the world. The app is available for purchase for Apple and Android devices.

The examples above are just a few of the many smartphone and tablet apps that can be useful for student pilots. Do you have a favorite flight training or proficiency app not on our list? Let us know in the comments below!