IFR simulator
IFR simulator
Fly instrument procedures end to end: tune and identify, track radials and bearings, hold, and fly DME arcs on a full instrument and radio panel with realistic wind.
7-day free trial, no card required. Includes Just Fly, the Intercept Trainer and the Hold Visualiser. Reverts to the free tier when it ends; you are never charged automatically.
Fly it here. No account, no download
- Click Start. You approach the fix from the northeast with the inbound course already set on the HSI.
- Work out which hold entry the geometry calls for, then fly it by hand.
- Track back to the fix and turn onto the inbound course.
- Wind is live, so hold your headings with a drift correction rather than by eye.
How the trainer works
Choose what to work on: tracking, intercepts, holding, position fixing, procedure turns or DME arcs. Each has its own graded trainer, or fly free-form in Just Fly.
Tune and identify the aid, set the course and fly the procedure on the HSI, OBS and CDI, RBI and RMI, with live wind working against you.
The moving map shows the track you actually flew, and the graded trainers score the result, so you can see exactly where the wind won.
Included with Pro
- Full instrument and radio panel: HSI, OBS and CDI, RBI, RMI pointers, two VORs, ADF, DME and simulated GNSS
- Realistic wind, so tracking, holding and arcs need genuine drift correction
- Graded trainers for intercepts, holding, position fixing, procedure turns and DME arcs
- Time acceleration up to 20×, so a full hold costs seconds rather than minutes
- Runs in the browser on PC, Mac, tablet and phone, nothing to install
- Just Fly, the Intercept Trainer and the Hold Visualiser are included in the 7-day cardless free trial
Learn the theory alongside the practice
Every guide below is free to read, with no account needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is an IFR simulator?
An IFR simulator lets you practise instrument flying procedures without an aircraft. Radio Navigator simulates the radio navigation side of IFR: VOR and NDB tracking, intercepts, holding patterns, position fixes, procedure turns and DME arcs, flown on realistic instruments in the browser.
Can I use it for IMC Rating or instrument rating study?
Yes. The radio navigation you must master for the IR, the IR(R) and the IMC Rating is the same flying: tracking, intercepting, holding and position fixing. Practise it on the ground first and the airborne hours become far more productive. It supports your training with your instructor, it does not replace it.
Do I need Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane installed?
No. Radio Navigator is a standalone IFR simulator that runs entirely in the browser. There is nothing to download or install, and it works on tablets and phones as well as desktop.
Is there a free IFR simulator?
The free tier gives you one VOR read on a full HSI in 5-minute sessions, with no account needed. The full panel, the graded trainers and unlimited sessions are Pro, which starts with a 7-day cardless free trial covering Just Fly, the Intercept Trainer and the Hold Visualiser.
Which instruments and radio aids does it simulate?
The panel includes an HSI, a separate OBS and CDI, an RBI and RMI bearing pointers, driven by two VOR receivers, an ADF and DME, plus simulated GNSS. Stations are tuned and identified exactly as in the aircraft.
Does it grade my flying?
Yes. The trainers set an exercise, watch how you fly it and score the result: intercepts, holds, position fixes, procedure turns and DME arcs. Just Fly is free-form, with the moving map showing the track you made good.
Open the trainer, or try the underlying skills free in the browser first.
7-day free trial, no card required. Includes Just Fly, the Intercept Trainer and the Hold Visualiser. Reverts to the free tier when it ends; you are never charged automatically.