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Aviation · head to head

FlightSafety International Training vs simBrief

FlightSafety International Training logo

FlightSafety International Training

Aviation

Advanced flight crew training and certification

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
simBrief logo

simBrief

Aviation

Free online flight planning for flight simulators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only simBrief has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: FlightSafety International Training flightSafety International gates training course pricing behind a Full-Service customer agreement; its own FAQ states courses are offered at no charge or a reduced fee only to customers under such an agreement, with pricing not published for others.; simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • They diverge on capability: FlightSafety International Training covers Flight training, simBrief covers Flight planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FlightSafety International Training and simBrief actually diverge.

Attributes where FlightSafety International Training and simBrief differ
AttributeFlightSafety International TrainingsimBrief
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsOn-siteWeb
Founded19512009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in FlightSafety International Training

  • Flight training
  • Type ratings
  • Recurrent training
  • Simulator time
  • Certification
  • Airlines
  • Operators
  • Regulatory bodies

Only in simBrief

  • Flight planning
  • Weather integration
  • NOTAM analysis
  • Fuel calculation
  • Briefing generation
  • Real weather
  • NOTAM data
  • Aircraft database

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

FlightSafety International Training

  • Type ratingnot simBrief
  • Recurrent trainingnot simBrief
  • Upgrade trainingnot simBrief
  • Initial trainingnot simBrief

simBrief

  • Generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulationnot FlightSafety International Training
  • Calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flightsnot FlightSafety International Training

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

FlightSafety International Training

  • FlightSafety International gates training course pricing behind a Full-Service customer agreement; its own FAQ states courses are offered at no charge or a reduced fee only to customers under such an agreement, with pricing not published for others.

simBrief

  • The free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • Current navigation data updated every 28 days requires a separate Navigraph subscription
  • Jeppesen IFR and VFR charts require the higher Navigraph Unlimited subscription
  • Neither subscription price is stated on the SimBrief site, since both are sold by Navigraph

Pricing, plan by plan

FlightSafety International Training

On request
  • Type Rating TrainingFree
    • Professional training
    • Simulators
    • Certification
  • Recurrent TrainingFree
    • Ongoing training
    • Currency maintenance
    • Checkrides

simBrief

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Flight planning
    • Weather analysis
    • Fuel planning

Which should you pick?

Choose FlightSafety International Training if

  • You need flight training.
  • You work on On-site.
  • You also want type ratings.
FlightSafety International Training review

Choose simBrief if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want weather integration.
simBrief review

Questions people ask

Is FlightSafety International Training or simBrief better?
Neither clearly leads. FlightSafety International Training starts at On request and simBrief at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FlightSafety International Training or simBrief?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for FlightSafety International Training and Free for simBrief.
Does FlightSafety International Training or simBrief run on more platforms?
FlightSafety International Training runs on On-site. simBrief runs on Web.
Can I use simBrief for free?
Yes. simBrief has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. FlightSafety International Training starts at On request.
What is FlightSafety International Training best used for?
FlightSafety International Training is most often used for type rating, recurrent training, upgrade training, initial training. Of those, type rating and recurrent training are not what simBrief is typically brought in for.
What can FlightSafety International Training do that simBrief cannot?
FlightSafety International Training covers Flight training, Type ratings, Recurrent training, Simulator time. simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

FlightSafety International Training: Where can I find FlightSafety training pricing?

Pricing is not displayed on the homepage. You can find pricing for specific courses by accessing the course search page to make a reservation request, or by contacting FlightSafety directly through their contact page.

Source
simBrief: Is SimBrief free to use?

Yes, SimBrief is free to use. It is a free flight planning service provided by Navigraph for Flight Simulation enthusiasts. Creating a Navigraph account is free, quick, and easy.

Source
FlightSafety International Training: Can I enroll directly online or do I need to contact sales?

You can either enroll through an online enrollment link or make a reservation request through the course search tool. Existing customers can sign into their accounts directly.

Source
simBrief: What does SimBrief provide for flight planning?

SimBrief is a web-based dispatching system that generates in-depth flight plan packages featuring detailed fuel planning, weather forecasts, current NOTAMs, ETOPS calculations, and much more in seconds.

Source
FlightSafety International Training: Does FlightSafety offer a free trial or sample training?

The homepage does not mention a free trial or introductory offer. Pricing and course details are available through the course search and reservation request process.

Source
simBrief: Can I upgrade SimBrief for better features?

SimBrief is free by default and uses a slightly outdated navigation database. You can purchase a Navigraph subscription after registering to access the latest navigation database and additional features.

Source
simBrief: How do I access SimBrief?

To access SimBrief, you need to sign in using a Navigraph account. You can create a free Navigraph account from the SimBrief website.

Source
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