If you're researching ATC practice apps, you've likely come across both Plane English and ATC One. Both claim to improve your radio communication skills, but they take very different approaches.
This honest, detailed comparison will help you decide which app best fits your training needs and budget.
Quick overview
Plane English - **Released:** 2018 - **Technology:** Scripted responses with pattern recognition - **Price:** $14.99 one-time purchase (iOS only) - **Target audience:** VFR student pilots learning basic phraseology
ATC One - **Released:** 2023 - **Technology:** GPT-4 based AI with natural language understanding - **Price:** Free tier + $19.99/month premium (iOS & Android) - **Target audience:** Student through professional pilots, VFR and IFR
The fundamental difference: scripted vs AI
This is the most important distinction between these apps.
Plane English: Scripted approach
Plane English uses pre-programmed scripts and decision trees. When you speak, the app:
- Converts your speech to text
- Checks if your text matches expected patterns
- If it matches → proceeds to next step
- If it doesn't match → error message
Example scenario:
Expected phrase: "Oakland Tower, Cessna 1234 Bravo, left downwind, runway 27 right."
You say: "Oakland Tower, Cessna 34 Bravo, left downwind, 27 right."
Result: ❌ Error - app doesn't recognize shortened callsign (even though this is correct after initial contact).
ATC One: AI approach
ATC One uses advanced language models (GPT-4) that understand intent, not just exact matches:
- Converts your speech to text
- AI analyzes what you meant (not just what you said)
- Responds appropriately based on context
- Provides feedback on phraseology while continuing the scenario
Same example:
You say: "Oakland Tower, Cessna 34 Bravo, left downwind, 27 right."
Result: ✅ AI understands and responds: "Cessna 34 Bravo, runway 27 right, cleared to land, number two following a Citation on a 4-mile final."
Then provides feedback: "Good communication. Note that full runway designation '27 right' is preferred in position reports."
The AI keeps the scenario flowing while teaching you.
Scenario coverage comparison
Plane English scenarios: - Basic traffic pattern at towered airport (~8 scenarios) - Simple departures and arrivals (~6 scenarios) - Class D operations (~10 scenarios) - VFR flight following (basic, ~4 scenarios) - Emergency calls (~5 scenarios) - Special VFR (~3 scenarios)
Total: ~40 scenarios Focus: VFR operations at towered airports
ATC One scenarios: - Traffic pattern work (beginner to advanced, 30+ variations) - Complex Class B, C, D operations (50+ scenarios) - VFR cross-country with flight following (25+ scenarios) - Special use airspace transitions (15+ scenarios) - Emergency procedures (20+ scenarios) - IFR approaches and departures (40+ scenarios) - Unusual situations and pilot deviations (20+ scenarios) - Weather-related communications (15+ scenarios)
Total: 200+ scenarios and growing Focus: VFR and IFR, beginner through professional
Realism and immersion
Plane English: - Clean, clear audio (no background noise) - Single controller voice - No radio static or interference - Sterile environment
Pros: Easy to understand, good for absolute beginners Cons: Doesn't prepare you for real-world radio quality
ATC One: - Adjustable cabin background noise (engine, wind) - Adjustable radio static and quality - Multiple controller voices with realistic speech patterns - Environmental context (traffic, weather mentions)
Pros: Prepares you for actual flight conditions Cons: Can be overwhelming initially (though you can turn down realism)
The customization difference
Plane English customization: - Choose scenario - That's it
No ability to: - Adjust difficulty - Change radio quality - Modify background noise - Select specific airports - Control controller speech speed
ATC One customization: - Difficulty level (beginner to expert) - Radio static intensity (0-100%) - Background cabin noise level (0-100%) - Controller speech rate (slow, normal, fast, realistic variable) - Specific airports from database - Traffic density - Weather conditions - Time of day
This matters because: Real radio communications vary wildly. Sometimes you'll deal with fast-talking New York Approach with heavy static. Other times it's a quiet tower on a calm day. ATC One lets you practice all conditions.
Pilot deviation detection
This is a game-changing feature that separates the apps dramatically.
Plane English: **Does NOT detect pilot deviations.**
If you read back the wrong altitude, forget a hold-short instruction, or make other errors, the app doesn't catch it (unless it's so wrong the script breaks).
ATC One: **Automatically detects pilot deviations in real-time.**
Examples: - Wrong altitude readback: "Cessna 34 Bravo, verify you're climbing to 4,500, not 3,500?" - Missed hold-short: "Cessna 34 Bravo, I need you to read back the hold-short instruction." - Incorrect phraseology: AI corrects and teaches proper format
This is incredibly valuable because it builds the same awareness you need in real flight.
Feedback quality
Plane English feedback: - "Correct" or "Incorrect" - Sometimes suggests proper phrasing - Basic scoring system - No detailed analysis
Example feedback: "Incorrect. Try again."
ATC One feedback: - Detailed AI analysis of your communication - Explains WHY something was wrong - Suggests better phrasing with context - Progressive skill tracking - Identifies patterns in your mistakes
Example feedback: "Your communication was mostly correct, but you forgot to include your altitude in the initial call to Approach. This is important because it helps the controller quickly assess potential conflicts. Proper format: '[Facility], [Callsign], [Position], [Altitude], [Request].' You're improving on readbacks—keep it up!"
Learning curve
Plane English: **Pros:** - Very simple to start - Clear right/wrong answers - Low initial overwhelm
Cons: - Frustration when "correct" phraseology is rejected - Limited progression - Can feel repetitive quickly
ATC One: **Pros:** - Progressive difficulty - Adapts to your skill level - Never feels repetitive (AI generates varied scenarios)
Cons: - Can be overwhelming for absolute beginners - More features = steeper initial learning curve - (Mitigated by beginner mode and tutorials)
Price comparison
Plane English: - **One-time:** $14.99 - **Total year 1:** $14.99 - **Total year 2:** $0 - **Lifetime:** $14.99
ATC One: - **Free tier:** Basic scenarios, limited features - **Premium:** $19.99/month or $149/year - **Total year 1:** $149 (annual plan) - **Total year 2:** $149
Value analysis:
If you're a student pilot training for 6-12 months: - Plane English: $15 total - ATC One: $75-150 total
But consider: - Flight training costs: $8,000-15,000 total - If ATC One saves you 2 flight hours by improving radio work: $300-400 saved - ROI: 200-500%
Most students report ATC One saves them 3-5 flight hours = $450-1,000 saved.
Platform availability
Plane English: - iOS only - No Android version - No web version
ATC One: - iOS (iPhone, iPad) - Android (phone, tablet) - Web version (coming soon)
If you have Android, the choice is simple: ATC One is your only option.
Who should choose Plane English?
Plane English is a good choice if you: - Are on an extremely tight budget - Only need basic VFR phraseology practice - Want the simplest possible interface - Don't mind scripted, repetitive scenarios - Only fly VFR at small towered airports - Have iOS device
Best use case: Absolute beginner who wants to memorize standard phraseology patterns at the lowest cost.
Who should choose ATC One?
ATC One is the better choice if you: - Want realistic, adaptive practice - Need IFR scenario practice - Fly or plan to fly at complex airspace (Class B/C) - Want to practice specific airports - Value detailed feedback and progression tracking - Want to practice unusual situations - Are serious about aviation as a career - Have budget for professional training tools - Use iOS or Android
Best use case: Serious student pilot or professional pilot who wants the most realistic, comprehensive ATC practice available.
The AI advantage in action
Here's a real example showing why AI matters:
Scenario: Requesting Class Bravo clearance
You say (not perfect phraseology): "Los Angeles Approach, Cessna 34 Bravo here, I'm at uh... 2,500 feet, about 10 miles from Santa Monica, and I'd like to go through your airspace to get to Van Nuys."
Plane English response: ❌ ERROR - unrecognized phrase
ATC One response: ✅ "Cessna 34 Bravo, Los Angeles Approach, roger. Remain VFR at or below 2,500. Expect Class Bravo clearance in 2 minutes. Squawk 4521."
Then provides feedback: "Your request was understood, but let's work on making it more concise and professional. Try: 'Los Angeles Approach, Cessna 34 Bravo, 10 miles east of Santa Monica at 2,500, request Class Bravo clearance to Van Nuys.' This gives the controller all needed information in standard format."
The AI doesn't punish imperfect phraseology—it teaches you while keeping the scenario realistic.
Update frequency
Plane English: - Occasional bug fixes - Very rare new scenarios - No major feature updates in recent years
ATC One: - Regular scenario additions (weekly/monthly) - Frequent feature updates - AI model improvements - Active development team - User-requested scenarios added regularly
Community and support
Plane English: - Limited support - No community features - Email support only
ATC One: - Active user community - In-app feedback system - Responsive support team - Regular interaction with developers - Feature requests considered
The verdict
Both apps have their place, but they serve different needs:
Choose Plane English if: - Budget is your primary concern ($15 vs $150/year) - You only need basic VFR pattern work - You're okay with scripted, repetitive practice - You have iOS
Choose ATC One if: - You want realistic, professional-grade practice - You value AI that understands intent - You need IFR scenarios - You want detailed feedback and progression - You're serious about aviation - Budget allows for professional training tools
Can you use both?
Yes! Some students start with Plane English to memorize basic patterns, then graduate to ATC One for advanced, realistic practice.
However, most students who try ATC One first never need anything else.
Final recommendation
For most student pilots, ATC One is the better investment.
The difference in technology (AI vs scripts), scenario coverage (200+ vs 40), realism (customizable vs fixed), and feedback quality (detailed vs basic) makes it worth the higher price.
The ROI is clear: if improved radio skills save you even 2 flight hours, the app has paid for itself several times over.
Action item: Try both! Plane English offers a one-time purchase, and ATC One has a free tier. Test them both with the same scenario and compare the experience. You'll immediately feel the difference.