The top 20 apps for pilots – 2026 edition

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There are thousands of apps that are useful for pilots, from flight training and weather briefings to calculators and games. With that in mind, compiling a list of the top apps may seem foolish, but once again we're going to try—after all, a brand new iPad pilot needs to start somewhere. This list isn't necessarily our 20 favorite apps, but rather the ones we see in use most often.

ForeFlight vs. Garmin Pilot: key differences to help you decide

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You bought an iPad to use in the airplane and now it's time to make a decision on which app is best for your aviation chart and data needs. Here we'll take a look at 3 standout features from each app that serve as key differentiators.

Top Apple Watch features and apps for pilots

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There are a lot of aviation apps out there that allow you to access useful aviation and weather data from your wrist. Here we'll take a look at the top weather and aviation apps for Apple Watch, along with how to take advantage of some of the standard Apple Watch features on your next flight.

The Best Flight Simulator Apps for iPad

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There is still a thriving market in iPad-based flight simulators. Lots of these have flashy videos in the App Store, but most of them are aimed at casual gamers, not pilots. Here are our top picks for flight simulators that work on the iPad and won’t make pilots roll their eyes.

Top iPad Pilot News Posts for 2025

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To wrap up the year, we’re counting down the 10 most popular articles of 2025—stories that answered common questions, solved persistent frustrations, and helped pilots get more reliability and performance from their iPads in flight.

Pilot Report: New app measures visibility from your phone’s camera

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Can your phone really help verify VFR visibility? We review Visibility Tool, a new app that offers fast, offline visibility estimates for pilots and drone operators. In our testing, it delivered readings that matched nearby AWOS reports, making it a useful extra check before takeoff.

Best iPad Pilot Gifts for 2025

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From smart battery packs to essential apps, our 2025 iPad Pilot Gift Guide highlights the top tools and accessories that make flying safer, more organized, and more enjoyable. Whether you’re shopping for a student pilot or seasoned aviator, these carefully tested picks deliver real cockpit value.

Garmin Pilot adds graphical NOTAMs to SmartCharts

Garmin Pilot now displays graphical NOTAMs on SmartChart Airport Diagrams, showing closed runways, taxiways and braking conditions.

Sporty’s Pilot Training App Gets Smarter for 2026

The 2026 edition of Sporty’s Pilot Training app brings a new level of intelligence and interactivity to flight training. In addition to fresh video lessons, expanded maneuvers, and updated FAA test questions, Sporty’s courses now feature an exclusive suite of AI-powered tools designed specifically for pilots.

New Real World Flight Review Course Now in the Sporty’s Pilot Training App

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Sporty’s has teamed up with PilotWorkshops to deliver the most complete flight review experience yet—and it’s now available inside the industry-leading Sporty’s Pilot Training app for iPhone, iPad, Android, AppleTV, and Roku.

Best Flight Tracking Apps 2025

While airline mobile apps are great for booking flights and accessing boarding passes, they're less than ideal for flight tracking. Here's a look at various ways to track all the details for your next airline flight from your iPhone or iPad.

How to use FlySto to debrief flights and manage engine data

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How did that flight go? It’s a simple question—one that every pilot should ask themselves after every flight—but there’s usually not a simple answer. When you’re judging your proficiency as a pilot or tracking the performance of your engine, it pays to be specific. That’s what makes FlySto, a free software platform that offers powerful debriefing tools for pilots, so valuable.