davidgagne.net

The absolute best iPhone app on the market right now has got to be Firemint’s FlightControl. You are an air-traffic controller tasked with routing planes (and helicopters) to the correct landing strip at one of three different airports. It sounds simple — and it is easy to learn and play — but after you’ve gotten about 15 landings completed, the planes start approaching more and more quickly.

So far I’ve landed 81 106 planes at the default airport, 116 126 at the Hawaiian resort airport, and 63 64 on the aircraft carrier. The Hawaiian airport is a bit easier because there are two helipads there, though you do have to contend with seaplanes. The aircraft carrier is almost impossible; the fighter jets are wicked fast, the landing strips are all scrunched close together, there are always way too many helicopters trying to land, and, oh, the ship is rotating while you play.

This game is maddeningly addictive and brutally fun. It cost me $.99 and I’ve already played it ten times more than every other iPhone game combined.