# NRST — Descent Rate & Airport Finder

> Pilot navigation aid for descent rates and airport information. (iPhone/iPad app by Toonsy Net.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrst/id828514590 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Toonsy Net](https://appshunter.io/developer/319239704)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 32 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 50 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-03-07
- Data updated: 2026-08-23
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrst/id828514590/reviews.md

## What is NRST?

Don't miss your airport! Designed for pilots of any size aircraft, this app provides you with bearing and vertical speed required to nearby airports. The following information is shown for destinations:

• Distance from current location
• Field Elevation
• Descent rate required
• Time to Top of Descent (TOD)
• Bearing
• Frequencies
• Runways
• Glide distance delta

Additionally your current speed, course, altitude and vertical speed are displayed. Tapping on the information button, Time to TOD or Target Altitude allows you to customize the desired descent rate.

All data is updated in real time as you fly. You may choose a nearby airport or select an airport by identifier by scrolling down on the airport list. Filter by runway length and surface type and choose any of the following: airports, seaplane bases, heliports, balloon ports and closed airports.

You may optionally provide a glide ratio for your aircraft. The glide distance long or short of the selected airport is then displayed and is conveniently color coded. A positive, green glide delta indicates the glide distance has been estimated to exceed the distance to the airport with a 25% safety margin.

Runway headings, if known, are used to draw runways on the heading indicator. If the magenta arrow is pointed straight up and aligned with a runway then you are headed straight in.

Worldwide airport information is provided by multiple sources. Canada, Europe and all continents are covered! For more information go to ourairports.com/world.html. Database updates are performed daily.

Your location and altitude is provided by your device's location services. If location or altitude is not available that information will not be displayed however you can still search for an airport by identifier. Unfortunately external GPS devices are generally NOT compatible.

You must be moving for course information and the magenta relative bearing arrow to be displayed.

The Watch app has many of the same features and fits on your wrist. See distances to nearby airports or bearing to a selected airport. Frequencies and runway lengths can be seen with a swipe. A green glide icon or delta indicates glideability is likely.

Just like the iPhone and iPad app, the Watch app requires GPS information to locate nearby airports and relative bearing. Additionally, altitude is needed to calculate descent rates.

Feedback and feature requests are appreciated. Thanks!

Subscription Fine Print
----------------------
- 1 month FREE trial
- Database Subscription or Apple Watch Subscription is required for new users
- The subscription is for 1 year and updated data is available daily
- The annual subscription is $11.99/year or $17.99/year for Watch
- Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase
- Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period
- Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal
- Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase
- No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period
- Privacy policy and terms of use are located at: http://toonsy.net/privacy.html
- Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication.

## Key features

- Real-time airport data
- Customizable descent rate
- Worldwide airport coverage
- Filter airports by runway
- Glide distance calculation
- Watch app integration

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Device Only | $11.99 | per year |
| Device and Watch | $17.99 | per year |
| Early Adopter Device Subscription | $0.99 | per year |
| Early Adopter Device and Watch Bronze | $1.99 | per year |
| Device Only | $14.99 | per year |
| Device and Watch | $24.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 32)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nrst/id828514590/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Best watch flying app

*2024-11-28*

Finally a real stand alone flying app for the watch!   It’s nice to use the watch as a glorified remote control for the phone

### 5/5 — Great in Chile, South America

*2024-07-16*

I had flown in many places in Chile, Uruguay and Argentina and it’s always spot on. The runway orientation is also good help, same as Apple Watch app. It’s a very unique app in simplicity which helps usability enormously and in the end it’s one of its greatest strengths.

### 3/5 — Good tool conceptually but database is unreliable

*2023-11-20*

The tool is not bad conceptually however I just checked out my home airport EDHL and three major frequencies were incorrect or at least imprecise. ATIS real 119,93 to NRST 119,925; Tower real 128,705 to NRST 128,7; GRD real 121,780 to NRST 121,775. This to me is quite unacceptable but should be fixed easily. Furthermore is the tool quite lean from the provided functions and settings however for the watch worth a try.

### 1/5 — Sigh, another app that requires a monthly sub

*2023-01-08*

No idea if this would be of any use as requires tying up to a monthly/yearly sub. I’m speaking to you as the developer, you’ve lost out on actual money by chasing after the subscription model. Utter madness SMH.

### 1/5 — Fee only

*2022-08-27*

This thing will not do anything without a subscription. Totally misleading…

### 3/5 — Works reasonably well.

*2021-11-18, version 6.3*

One request is that for the watch app to work best, needs a complication so that the app can be easily opened from the watch face.

### 1/5 — Keeps wanting me to verify my

*2021-02-07*

Purchase and saying that the connection is lost and downloading stuff that is already downloaded and used. Bro...ken.

### 5/5 — Great backup plan for your EFB

*2020-09-21*

My CFI got me completely lost, even changed the heading indicator with the purpose of finding my way using the app, sure enough the app put me on top of the nearest airport.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t download

*2020-07-31, version 6.0*

Good plan. Poor execution. The database won’t download on Apple Watch. After multiple attempts and troubleshooting, all I get is a sad face emoji. Not even an error code, just an emoji.

### 1/5 — Developer out of business

*2020-07-19, version 6.0*

App doesn’t work. Developer out of business. Don’t give Apple your money for this app.

## Frequently asked questions about NRST

### What does this app do?

This app is designed for pilots and provides essential information for navigating to nearby airports. It calculates the required descent rate, time to top of descent, and bearing to destinations. The app also displays real-time flight data such as current speed, course, altitude, and vertical speed.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include real-time updates of airport data like distance, field elevation, and frequencies. Users can customize their desired descent rate and optionally input their aircraft's glide ratio for glide distance calculations. The app also offers filtering options for airports based on runway length and surface type, and includes a companion Watch app.

### How much does this app cost?

The app operates on a subscription model. New users receive a 1-month free trial. After the trial, an annual subscription is required, costing $11.99/year for the main app and $17.99/year for the Watch app subscription. Database updates are included with the subscription.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is available for iPhone and iPad, and also features a Watch app. It relies on the device's location services for GPS and altitude information. While external GPS devices are generally not compatible, the app can still be used to search for airports by identifier if location data is unavailable.

### What are common use cases for this app?

Common use cases include pilots planning descents to airports, especially in unfamiliar areas. It's useful for maintaining the correct vertical speed for a smooth approach and for quickly finding essential airport details like frequencies and runway information. The glide distance feature aids in assessing approach feasibility.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 8.1 — 2025-09-11

Minor bug fixes

### 8.0 — 2024-09-18

Updates for iOS 18

### 7.3 — 2024-01-23

Minor bug fixes

### 7.2 — 2023-07-07

OS compatibility updates

### 7.1 — 2022-10-18

Added Apple Watch complications

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All apps by Toonsy Net: https://appshunter.io/developer/319239704

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-23.*