ForeFlight Mobile EFB Reviews

by Lt. Gilly

As a flight academy owner, I have been an advocate for this app to my customers and and a user myself for over a decade. However recently I have been getting complaints from my clients regarding poor customer service. Most share a commonality of brush offs from the help desk and none returned requests for help or service. Personally, I recently lost a feature I was using due to my own fault of accidentally hitting the hide option tab. When I reached out to the help desk I was told the only way I could get back “hidden options” was to upgrade my subscription to the next higher level. When I questioned the sensibility of having to upgrade to get something I already had in my normal package back, the communication from this app went off radar!!! My rating would be lower, but in fairness I felt like I owed them a couple of stars for the good service I had up until this recent issue.

by Wastintime

This is the worst update this app has ever made. They took something so streamlined, quick, and easy as flight planning and made it cumbersome and ungainly. It's no longer simple to make a few little changes and see how it affects the flight. You have to load and create performance profiles. It's like they never even considered you might fly a different speed or TAS at different altitudes. Not to mention not everyone wants to waste time with creating a whole new profile when you just want to see how changing one number changes the flight. AND not everyone only flies one airplane! These last two updates ruined the best thing about this app. Now they've also ruined your map screen. All the colors have shifted and seem to be permanently stuck on night mode. No setting will change it back. Now you can barely read TAFs and metars in the daylight. On top of everything else ForeFlight crashes at least once a flight now, and if it doesn't crash you have to restart it any time it loses communication with your ADS-B unit because it won't reconnect or show any data or even the device unless you restart ForeFlight . Talk about going backwards.

by Av8r Popps

With the addition of “fast search” FF just became extremely slow and not very user friendly. In rare cases it would be helpful to see available choices but there needs to be a work around too.
If you want to type out an IFR clearance in the Maps tab the continuously updating search function makes it impossible to type out a route, your keypad inputs are skipped while the search is running. Even copy/paste seems impacted and rarely works from an outside app or email. When receiving a PDC clearance or a filed flight plan route via email there has to be a way to ‘import’ a route with a quick copy/paste. Unfortunately the FLP edit tab doesn’t allow a workaround for copy/paste either.

There either needs to be a setting to turn off fast search or it has to go away altogether.

by KoleDrake24

this app is an excellent tool for flight planning, weather analysis, and everything in-between. However, there are two glaring issues I have with the application, especially when compared to the competitors (primarily Garmin Pilot). To start off, the screen frame-rate is capped at either 24 or 30 FPS. ForeFlight feels laggy due to this. This is especially upsetting if you have the latest Apple devices (such as the iPhone XS and especially the iPad Pro) that can do 60 FPS and 60+ FPS respectively. Secondly, the map resolution could be sharper, and isn’t optimized for particular devices. The sectional (or zoomed out En-route IFR chart) view is pixelated on my iPhone XS and does not sharpen up until it becomes a TAC. Even then, the map isn’t as sharp as it is on Garmin Pilot. Updating these two features would be excellent for me, and would change my 3-star review to a 5-star review. For $100 or more to purchase ForeFlight, things like this should be worked in.

by KA7MMF

I have been using this app for about 8 years! Excellent platform? At least it used to be. But as large companies get bigger they lose sight of some of the conveniences. I would like to think I helped our company go to this app for EFB,s, simple easy, but Now days it is gotten so convoluted in its evolution, it often crashes and takes longer to use. Some of this is our company’s fault for not keeping the iPads updated with the latest iOS. still I often wonder when you have a perfect platform and everything is working great why mess with it! It’s lost its quickness, now every time you press a letter you got a wait for the iPad to finish it search before you compress the next one. Most of it crashes I have seen are on the weight and balance. As a pilot I don’t have the option of updating the iPads to the latest iOS. Doesn’t do me any good to send in a crash report for the aircraft I am no longer working on the iPad stay with the aircraft

by Leafly720

They push the top tier subscription hard and intentionally bait users with new features that readily exist in competitors less costly EFB. Most frustrating is the inability to export a gps file for my flight plan so I can import to my in panel GRT. The inability to enlarge text is another big issue. I have 20/20 vision and use an iPad mini and constantly struggle. Might need to get a bigger iPad. Overall a great product with huge user base but I honestly think other EFB’s are just as good for less money. I have a total of 3 EFB’s and compare them constantly. Finally, it feels as though this app is pushing away us leisure guys for the corporate and deep pocket folks. Maybe they should consider spinning another company off and give better focus to general aviation.

by Tio Jhon

I have 4 iPhones and and 3 IPads. I would love it to have on all devices but only use two at a time. The issue with the iPad iPhones and ForeFlight is battery life and recharge time. My airplane is supposed to have a cigar lighter so maybe I can find it and plug in. But last flight everything went dead at the moment when I needed the most. Fell back to Preflight planning and back up charts.

I can see the tremendous potential of ForeFlight just found it disappointing that I cannot put it on all my devices without having to pay for more devices. And since Apple account is not normally shared and most people can’t use more than two devices at a time there is absolutely no reason to restrict the number of devices to install ForeFlight on. Actually created a potential hazard that was not necessary.

by Visth

FF is easily the best app for aviation. I have all others, and they are not bad, some even good (eg GP), but I will not leave home without FF. Connecting to various Garmin devices now makes it a great in flight manager as well. I am glad that emphasis is placed on pre-flight management in this update. While flying multiple aircraft in various conditions, different performances, loads, settings, it is all adjusted on the fly through a pilot centered, intuitive interface. This makes keeping track of all data pertinent to a flight, as well as briefing, filing and tracking the flight as easy as can be. As an app goes, it is not cheap like a 2.99 game, but as an essential, reliable tool it is the cheapest utility around in all of aviation. In a world where we measure things in AMU’s, ForeFlight and it’s subscription fees are nothing to cry about, and in my opinion the subscription fee is the least I can contribute to keep this this app team eager to improve and grow.

My only concern is not related to FF, but more related to the iPad and its very short life cycle before obsolescence. I am already concerned about what will happen when iPads cease to exist. For now, i am including a new iPad every other year to the price of doing business.

by Oregonaviator

this app, without a doubt, is the gold standard for situational awareness for the VFR and IFR pilot. Not enough can be said about its display and integration of vital information for the pilot, whether she or he in on the ground or in the air.

Here, I pay tribute to those I call, “Friends at this app.” Whether you are a beginning pilot about ready to solo, a young instructor in the diverse climes of our country and world, a backwoods aviator who needs acute and current aviation weather, or an experienced airline pilot, we all have questions that puzzle us.

We all live in a rapidly evolving technological environment. Questions appear as if by magic. Our friends at this app covet our questions. Many have been asked before, and they have ready answers, delivered with kindness and alacrity. The novel questions that bring them pause become the grist for new this app developments. A whole department is dedicated to receiving our questions, listening and thinking like pilots, and evolving this app for new uses and elegant solutions.

I commend this app to you. I guarantee that they will think of you, not simply as a subscriber, but as a friend as well and their purpose for serving the aviation community.

by Pat Fdw

Great app terrible customer service. Bought app had one question. Was charged $5 and they sent links with no resolution. Asked for phone call. They were charging $39. After pressing agreed to wave fee then said phone service wasn’t available. Ridiculous. Guess I’ll figure it out on my own. Don’t count on this app. I shifted from Garmin pilot to get a better app. Garmin’s customer service is outstanding. They should merge. Great app and great customer service is a dream. Oh well!!

Update- I was scammed by someone other than this app. Thought I was dealing with FF. Since have been contacted and all is good. They say they never charge for help. My fault. Love ForeFlight . Much better than GP.

by IFR-Pilot

We fly 12 to 18 hours per week with this app and Stratus 2. this app has come along way since it’s introduction with synthetic vision, excellent integration with Stratus and so much more. I did get concerned with the previous version as we started having multiple crashes on two different newer iPads daily. We do load multiple waypoint and it seemed like that might have been a factor? I always make sure my iPad has plenty of open SSD space and the newer iPads have 2GB or more RAM, so I wonder if the software rolled out too fast? We’re also very careful about not updating the OS until the all clear is given. I just hope this app’s team slows down a little on all the bells and whistles. It’s much more crucial for the product to work flawlessly versus having 3D views of airports / etc. All in all this app is the BEST aviation App on the market and their team is obviously awesome at coding. My concerns and comments here about previous crashes are only because we’re addicted to this app and never want to see it burdened with issues. The new version seems to be more stable with only the rare crash. It does open back up in seconds right were you left off. Keep up the good work. Thanks this app!

by WingsofCarolinaPilot

this app is the leader in this Pilot Comprehensive Flight Tool (EFB). The tool is data rich providing my commercial pilot and flight teaching operations an exceptionally safer and multiple times more helpful inflight. Your entire IFR certified flight deck could fail and this tool could navigate you to safety. I just got off the very responsive help Team to fix errors that I migrated over the past six years in my Aircraft lists and logbook entries that Joey got me through. As pilots our logbook integrity is the gold that represents our years of flying. It’s our portfolio that the FAA, employers, insurance companies and we take very seriously. The risk of data loss or inaccuracy is of utmost importance and this app backs up and keeps consecutive instances of your data as a fail safe recovery. Thank you.

by WardHolbrook

I’ve been using this app for several years now and ForeFlight has always been at the forefront of innovation and usefulness. If it doesn’t quite have everything you could possibly want, just wait a bit, it will probably be in the next update.

As for their customer service, it cannot get any better. Problems are few are far between, but when they arise their customer service team is on top of it. Case in point, we had a pop up trip to Mexico and their Mexico/Latin America rep Albert has not only helped me with getting the proper subscriptions, he as also helped us other solving some pilot certification issues with the Mexican authorities.

Great App, Great People, you cant ask for more than that.

by NVPilot

I have used this app for several years in my personal flying. In the last year I have been flying medevac and can’t imagine doing my job without it. When the 2am call comes, it gives me a great picture of the weather, Notams, and suggested routes if it’s an unfamiliar destination. I recently got the apple pen for the iPad Pro 9.7 and don’t even have to break out paper and pen to copy a clearance, still keep them in reach, but haven’t had to use them once. I never thought I would be comfortable without any paper charts at all but with the required backup Ipad on board I have no qualms. I appreciate the gradual improvements the team makes to ForeFlight , it’s never anything so crazy that you can’t figure out how to use ForeFlight after an update. Keep up the good work!

by N7TX

As a career software developer/designer, I’ve seen many times where software makes life easier, or more efficient. I’ve also seen many times where software tries to fill a gap that doesn't really exist. With 100% certainty, I can say that this app is one of the best things to happen to General Aviation since the Wright Brothers’ first flight. It correctly fills many gaps that existed prior to its existence and leverages technology to make your flight easier and safer.

I learned to fly in the era prior to this app. When I returned to flying, I was impressed with how far such technology had come. I can hardly imagine flying without my this app now. No more paper charts or semi-guesswork ... it’s all in this app, in an easy to interface on the tablet platform of your choice.

this app offers a 30 day trial. You can’t go wrong with that deal.

by Jonb94530

I have been using FF for years in many aircraft, needless to say it is a super product and the continual upgrades are just phenomena too. The effort behind this essential pilot tool is clear. But what recently took my appreciation to an even higher level is their customer service. I am working on converting all 15 years of paper logbooks into the electronic FF system (after my MEL commercial instructor and DPE gave me lots of grief for not being in the modern world - it makes summarizing flight experience and signoffs etc. for new certs much easier). Transferring all the time takes some work and I had numerous questions, not only about how to use the system, but how to log things jet sim time, etc. I asked questions and got immediate answers from experienced pilots, at least one of whom served as Chief Pilot for a commercial operation, so he knew the regs cold and pointed me to the proper FAA references. These guys are all about aviation, not just tech. Thanks Adrian and Todd!

by EthanSRichards

You would not believe how much work load is taken off your hands when you use this app. It is for all intents and purposes a handheld MFD that gives every weather update that you can think of, shows where you are on VFR and IFR charts, pairs with all ads-b antennas, allows you to file flight plans, find and contact FBOs, get all information about an airport in large easy to read presentations, find instrument approach plates in seconds, and can even function as an emergency ahrs if all else fails if you have the right equipment. I’ve had my students use the paper books and charts and then use my this app app and they find the answer I’m asking them to find in less than 1/2 the time. I’ve had this since I started my private training and I’ve been grateful ever since. A true lifesaver in IFR training, and the ability to pair with ADS-B portable antennas cut my close calls out in busy flight training airspace down to 0. Love this little app. Buy it. It’s worth every penny.

by Ekanal

Yesterday at 0915 hours I had a question about how to get something done within this app since a fuel calculation did not seem to be working. AT 0919 HOURS I received a written e-mail response that fixed and correctly and completely addressed my issue (it was my own mistake all along).

This is THE example of an app that I use to highlight how an app should be built. TREMENDOUS thought on user interface and what the pilot/customer wants and needs, when, how, etc. Absolutely simply and perfectly superb app that keeps having more and more useful functionality added to it all the time. Dollar for dollar, this vies for the honor of, “best money spent on my aviation needs” award. And believe every single tiny thing you may have EVER heard about their customer service. You have never been exposed to any app software support that will even come close to this group.

Pilots writing software for pilots. I am a lifelong customer and fan. Way to go, this app. You just continue to hit these right out of the park time and time and time again!

by Banshee517

Early in my flying career, shortly after my first solo but before my ppl check ride I was saved by this app. Flying solo, I was out practicing maneuvers and not paying any attention to the weather that was coming in behind me, and covering the airport I was to return to. When it was time to come back I pointed the nose toward my home base and before I really knew what I had done, I flew vfr into imc. No where near instrument rated I was truly lost in a sea of white. Thankfully I had this app on my iPad with synthetic vision and the stratus 2 feeding attitude information. I transitioned to flying the plane like a video game watching that screen. I was able to keep the plane under control and maneuver though and out of the imc to and alternate airport and land safely. It was an absolutely terrifying event for me. I truly believe the outcome would not have been even close to this had this app not been in the cockpit with me. For this I am truly thankful and fly with this app on every flight. Through the years this app has only increased its capabilities and has never let me down. I recommend it to everyone who flies. Thanks for a great product and saving my life.

by Plane Blessings

This is absolutely the most useful app for aviation available. I have used it for several years and am seriously impressed at the ongoing improvements they provide several times annually. About the time I think they could add a feature, they do so in a manner better than I could have envisioned. Their exceptional, personable, product support team is very responsive and have helped me many times. You will NOT be disappointed with this app. As a caution, you’ll want a reasonably new IPad with 64gb to run ForeFlight . if you want to download all US charts, procedures and have room for electronic copies of FAA documents and some of your own within ForeFlight . I have Maintenance Manuals and Parts manuals for my aircraft downloaded and ready in the event I need them on a cross country flight to equip a mechanic with what they may need to make a repair.

by Lukeryy

this app is a great tool for any pilot who needs/wants assistance with navigation or flight planning. As a flight student at Riddle, it is a very valuable resource. One of my favorite features was the document feature, where you can download .pdf’s, powerpoints, pictures, and other documents and organize them into folders. This was very useful for studying for checkrides, but with a recent update this app deleted every single one of my bookmarks for every textbook, FAR, or any other document.

This is a huge detriment to me, due to the fact I am taking a check ride next week, and would like the bookmarked pages I had for backup. Now I have to go back and re-bookmark everything which is very frustrating.

Please fix, if this happens in the future then I will find a different app to satisfy flight planning needs

Edit: Another thing that would be incredibly helpful, if possible I would love to have the option to enlarge my navlog when operating/planning a flight plan. It’s frustrating to have to squint my eyes to see waypoints on the tiny navlog at the top of the screen.

by Lavish_

First of all, thanks for quickly updating us regularly to know if we should update to the new iOS firmware or not. I have a BIG suggestion, I feel like it should not be that easy to delete a logged flight in the logbook section without a confirmation question asking if we are sure the deletion was intentional. I love the slide to delete feature but I think it should come with a confirmation question afterwards. Perhaps a toggle in settings to turn deletion confirmations on and off would be good. Also, Apple Pencil support is not that great. The scratch pad needs major improvements because it seems like it has a “string like” writing effect when writing fast. Please make the scratch pad writing more fluid.

by Afpeet

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning and I’m trying to create a weight and balance profile in this app for a T206 with tip tanks with an FAA DPE looking over my shoulder. (And failing miserably...) After loading all the data I still couldn’t get the CG profile to load properly. All the math was working but the CG envelope was not. I sent the customer service folks at this app an email not expecting a response until Monday if at all. Well the Customer Service Team responded back immediately with the answer and a sample profile that made it too easy for a dinosaur like me. So...buy this app because it’s the best product on the market and then renew your subscription because their customer service will be there for you.

by Skywagon 1

I am a retired American Airlines captain who has been flying for fifty-three years. I have over thirty thousand hours, seven jet type ratings and am a recipient of the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot award. I now live full time at an Airpark and enjoy flying EAA young eagles in my C-182 and try to give back to aviation that has been so good to me. It is my opinion that Fore Flight is one of the best safety devices developed for pilots in the history of aviation. I not only use ForeFlight on my IPad and IPhone before, during, and after every flight, I also contact Team Fore Flight on a monthly basis. I often send them and email with a question and they usually answer within an hour. Pretty impressive in my view.