Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: October 4, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, accessing, or using the FAA Instrument Rating Oral Exam Simulator application (the "App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not access or use the App. You affirm that you are at least 18 years old, or, if you are under 18, that you possess legal parental or guardian consent to use the App.

2. Description of Services

The App provides an interactive, voice-native simulation designed to help student pilots, instrument rating candidates, and certificated flight instructors prepare for the FAA Instrument Rating (Airplane) Practical Test oral examination. The App simulates conversations with a virtual Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) across five Airman Certification Standards (ACS) areas of operation, integrates digital aeronautical charts and flight planning route kits, and provides automated rubric scoring, debriefing feedback, and exportable CFI scorecards.

3. Aviation Safety & Non-Certification Disclaimers

Not an Official FAA Examination: The App is solely an educational study aid and simulation tool. It is NOT an official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) practical test, knowledge test, or airman certification proceeding. The App cannot and does not award pilot certificates, instrument ratings, official checkride endorsements, flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks (IPC), or logbook sign-offs required under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 61, including §§ 61.39 and 61.65).

Not a Substitute for a Certificated Flight Instructor: The App does not replace professional flight or ground instruction from an FAA-certificated flight instructor (CFI or CFII). Pilots must complete all required aeronautical experience, ground training, and instructor endorsements with an authorized human instructor before attempting an actual practical test.

Not for Real-World Flight Operations or Navigation: All weather reports (METARs, TAFs), pilot reports (PIREPs), aircraft performance figures, NOTAMs, ATC clearances, and aeronautical navigation charts presented within the App are simulated training materials created solely for oral examination scenarios. You must NEVER use the App or any data obtained from it for real-world preflight weather briefings, weight and balance calculations, flight planning, enroute navigation, or in-flight decision-making. For real-world flights, pilots must obtain official weather briefings from FAA-approved sources (such as 1800wxbrief) and consult current, official FAA navigation charts and publications. Under 14 CFR § 91.3, the Pilot in Command (PIC) of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the safe operation of that aircraft.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Disclaimer

The virtual examiner features of the App utilize generative artificial intelligence and speech recognition models (including Google Gemini via Firebase AI). While we have tuned and tested the system against the FAA Instrument Rating – Airplane Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-8C), AI technology may occasionally produce inaccuracies, misinterpret spoken responses, hallucinate regulatory information, or present question lines that differ from specific Designated Pilot Examiners or local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs).

Candidus LLC makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee that passing practice sessions in the App will result in passing an official FAA practical test or checkride. Candidates are expected to verify all regulatory and technical statements against official FAA publications, the Code of Federal Regulations, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), and manufacturer flight manuals (POH/AFM).

5. Cloud Infrastructure, User Accounts & Microphone Permissions

The App operates as an internet-connected cloud service powered by Google Firebase and AI reasoning models. There is no offline-only local mode. When you open the App without signing in, an anonymous cloud session is created via Firebase Authentication, and your candidate profile, aircraft settings, and exam progress are stored in Google Cloud Firestore.

You may optionally link this session to a permanent account (via Sign in with Apple, Sign in with Google, or Email and Password) to sync your progress across multiple devices. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

To use the voice simulation features, you must grant the App permission to access your device’s microphone. You agree to use the microphone and voice features only for oral examination practice in compliance with all applicable laws. You agree not to transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, or infringing audio or text through the service.

6. In-App Purchases, Access Passes & Billing

Access Passes: The App offers free sample lessons as well as premium access tiers (such as Standard and Pro Passes) that unlock regional scenario variants, full curriculum access, unlimited mock checkride sessions, and printable CFI scorecard PDF exports.

Payment & Billing: In-app purchases and subscriptions are processed directly through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, subject to their respective terms of service and billing policies. Charges are applied to your Apple ID or Google Play account upon confirmation of purchase. Pass durations (e.g., 6 months or 1 year) and renewal policies are displayed clearly within the in-app purchase sheets prior to purchase.

Refunds: Refund requests are governed by the policies of the platform through which the purchase was made (Apple App Store or Google Play Store). Candidus LLC cannot directly issue refunds for purchases processed through third-party app stores.

7. Intellectual Property

The App, including its software, design, user interface, proprietary prompt engineering, curriculum organization, scoring algorithms, and debriefing frameworks, is the intellectual property of Candidus LLC and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws.

FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS), public Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and standard US government aeronautical charts are works of the United States Government in the public domain. Candidus LLC makes no claim of copyright ownership over official government charts or regulatory texts.

8. Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we handle your information, including transient voice streaming for the AI examiner, cloud database storage in Cloud Firestore, and progress data.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Candidus LLC, its officers, members, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, flight training costs, or checkride fees, arising out of or relating to your access to, use of, or inability to use the App.

Aviation Risk Release: Aviation flight operations involve inherent risks of property damage, personal injury, and loss of life. You expressly acknowledge and agree that your use of the App is at your sole risk and that Candidus LLC accepts no liability whatsoever for any aviation incidents, regulatory enforcement actions, FAA checkride failures, aircraft damage, or flight occurrences.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

The App is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or checkride passage. Candidus LLC does not warrant that the App will be uninterrupted, error-free, completely accurate, or free from harmful components.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Candidus LLC, its affiliates, licensors, and service providers from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to your violation of these Terms or your use of the App.

12. Termination & Account Deletion

You may stop using the App or delete your stored data at any time. Because all sessions (including guest sessions) store records in the cloud, deleting your data in the App (via “Delete account” for registered accounts or “Delete my data” for anonymous guest sessions) permanently erases your candidate profile, mock checkride transcripts, and scores from Cloud Firestore and deletes your Firebase user account. Detailed instructions are available on our Delete Account page. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the App if you violate these Terms or engage in unauthorized use of our services.

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.

14. Modifications to Terms

We may revise these Terms from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the App following the posting of revised Terms means that you accept and agree to the changes.

15. Contact Information

If you have any questions or feedback regarding these Terms, please contact us at:
support@candidus.net