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Aviation · head to head

CAE Flight Training vs simBrief

CAE Flight Training logo

CAE Flight Training

Aviation

World leader in professional flight training

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: CAE Flight Training cAE does not publish pricing information on their public website; simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default
  • They diverge on capability: CAE Flight Training covers Full-flight simulators, simBrief covers Flight planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CAE Flight Training and simBrief actually diverge.

Attributes where CAE Flight Training and simBrief differ
AttributeCAE Flight TrainingsimBrief
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsOn-siteWeb
Founded19472009

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 CAE Flight Training

  • Full-flight simulators
  • Type rating training
  • Crew resource training
  • Maintenance training
  • Certification
  • Airlines
  • Regulators
  • Learning platforms

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.

CAE Flight Training

  • Type rating and recurrent training for airline and business jet pilotsnot simBrief
  • Cadet to captain airline training programmesnot simBrief
  • Cabin crew and maintenance technician trainingnot simBrief
  • Flight data analysis and operations management through Flightscapenot simBrief
  • Courseware and training records management with CAE Pelesysnot simBrief

simBrief

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

Where each one falls short

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

CAE Flight Training

  • CAE does not publish pricing information on their public website
  • Company website serves as corporate overview and navigation hub without pricing details
  • Pricing inquiry requires contacting CAE directly through their Contact Us section
  • No indication of pricing tiers or quote-based model on public pages

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

CAE Flight Training

On request
  • Pilot TrainingFree
    • Full-flight simulators
    • Type ratings
    • Crew training
  • Maintenance TrainingFree
    • Technical training
    • Systems training
    • Certification

simBrief

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

Which should you pick?

Choose CAE Flight Training if

  • You need full-flight simulators.
  • You work on On-site.
  • You also want type rating training.
CAE Flight 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 CAE Flight Training or simBrief better?
Neither clearly leads. CAE Flight 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, CAE Flight Training or simBrief?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for CAE Flight Training and Free for simBrief.
Does CAE Flight Training or simBrief run on more platforms?
CAE Flight 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. CAE Flight Training starts at On request.
What is CAE Flight Training best used for?
CAE Flight Training is most often used for type rating and recurrent training for airline and business jet pilots, cadet to captain airline training programmes, cabin crew and maintenance technician training, flight data analysis and operations management through flightscape. Of those, type rating and recurrent training for airline and business jet pilots and cadet to captain airline training programmes are not what simBrief is typically brought in for.
What can CAE Flight Training do that simBrief cannot?
CAE Flight Training covers Full-flight simulators, Type rating training, Crew resource training, Maintenance training. simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CAE Flight Training: How much does CAE flight training cost?

CAE does not publish pricing on their website. The company offers civil aviation training programs and defense/security services but requires customers to contact them directly for pricing quotes specific to their training needs.

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
CAE Flight Training: How do I get pricing for CAE training programs?

Pricing is not available on CAE's public website. Customers interested in training programs must use the Contact Us section on their website to reach CAE directly and request quotes for specific aviation or defense training services.

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
CAE Flight Training: Does CAE offer a pricing calculator or pricing tiers?

CAE's website does not display pricing tiers, calculators, or any cost information. All pricing inquiries require direct contact with CAE through their contact channels.

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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