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Software · head to head

simBrief vs CAE Flight Training

S

simBrief

Software

Free online flight planning for flight simulators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CAE Flight Training logo

CAE Flight Training

Software

World leader in professional flight training

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only simBrief has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: simBrief the free version uses a navigation database the vendor describes as slightly outdated by default; CAE Flight Training mostly delivered through physical full-flight simulators and training centres rather than as software a customer installs
  • They diverge on capability: simBrief covers Flight planning, CAE Flight Training covers Full-flight simulators.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where simBrief and CAE Flight Training differ
AttributesimBriefCAE Flight Training
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreeusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebOn-site
Founded20091947

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

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 simBrief

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

Only in CAE Flight Training

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

What people use each for

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

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

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

CAE Flight Training

  • Mostly delivered through physical full-flight simulators and training centres rather than as software a customer installs
  • The software pieces, Flightscape, CAE Rise and CAE Pelesys, are sold to airlines and operators rather than to individual pilots
  • Pricing is not published

Pricing, plan by plan

simBrief

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

CAE Flight Training

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

Which should you pick?

Choose simBrief if

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

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

Questions people ask

Is simBrief or CAE Flight Training better?
Neither clearly leads. simBrief starts at Free and CAE Flight Training at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, simBrief or CAE Flight Training?
simBrief has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for simBrief and On request for CAE Flight Training.
Does simBrief or CAE Flight Training run on more platforms?
simBrief runs on Web. CAE Flight Training runs on On-site.
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 simBrief best used for?
simBrief is most often used for generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulation, calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flights. Of those, generating realistic flight plans and briefing packs for flight simulation and calculating fuel, routing and weight and balance for simulated flights are not what CAE Flight Training is typically brought in for.
What can simBrief do that CAE Flight Training cannot?
simBrief covers Flight planning, Weather integration, NOTAM analysis, Fuel calculation. CAE Flight Training covers Full-flight simulators, Type rating training, Crew resource training, Maintenance training.
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