Comparison

HSI vs AvMath

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

HSI

Practice instrument approaches with realistic HSI displays and customizable navigation modes. Import your own approach plates to fly procedures as published. This app is designed for student pilots, instrument-rated pilots, and flight instructors.

Highlights
  • Import custom PDF approach plates
  • Realistic HSI instrument display
  • Multiple navigation modes (VOR, TACAN, LOC, NDB)
  • Fix to Fix (Point to Point) training
  • Adjustable speed control for practice
  • Privacy-focused with zero data collection
Features
Read full description

HSI - Instrument Approach Trainer is the only app that lets you import real PDF approach plates and fly approaches right on top of them. Whether you're a student pilot preparing for your instrument rating, a CFI teaching procedures, or a current pilot staying sharp — HSI puts realistic approach training in your pocket. Initially developed for Australian advanced flying training by an Air Force Qualified Flying Instructor - HSI is built by a pilot for pilots. WHAT MAKES HSI DIFFERENT Import Your Own Approach Plates Load any PDF approach plate and practice the procedure as published. No other app offers this. Fly the approaches you'll actually fly in the real aircraft. Realistic HSI Instrument - A beautifully rendered HSI with course selector, CDI, and heading bug. Designed after modern glass and PC-21 style displays. Multiple Nav Modes - Practice VOR, TACAN, LOC, and NDB approaches. Set up any scenario with customizable navaid positions and approach tracks. Holding Patterns - Practice standard and non-standard holding patterns with automatic entry selection. Direct, teardrop, and parallel entries with live guidance overlay. DME and timed holds included and fully customizable. Wind - Set wind direction and speed to practice real-world conditions. Essential for instrument rating prep. Global Leaderboard - Compete with pilots worldwide in Fix-to-Fix challenges. See how you rank. Built-In Fix to Fix (Point to Point) Training - HSI and map overlays that help you visualise this skill. Speed Control - Run approaches at 1x, 2x, 5x and 10x speed. Slow it down to learn, speed it up to drill. FREE TO TRY Download HSI for free and explore every feature. Love it? Unlock HSI Pro (one-time purchase) for the full experience: HSI Pro includes: • PDF approach plate import • No timeout for Pro features (speed ramp, interactive instruments, map follow), Fix-to-Fix Challenge Leaderboard and more. WHO IT'S FOR Student Pilots — Build your conceptual knowledge of HSI instruments and approach procedures before expensive simulator or flight hours. Instrument-Rated Pilots — Stay current on procedures. Practice approaches you'll fly on your next trip. Import the actual plates. Flight Instructors (CFIs) — Demonstrate HSI concepts to students on an iPad. Import the approach plate you're briefing and walk through it step by step. Military Pilots — Originally developed for Australian military advanced flying training. PC-21 style HSI graphics feel right at home. WHAT PILOTS ARE SAYING — 4.5 stars from pilots who use it "I still use it to keep my skills up after a break from IF flight/pre IRA" "Great tool to brush up on IFR point to point concept and hold entries" "If you don't fly much IF this HSI tool will help you out" "Great for your own practice or explaining to a friend how to do point to points and orientate yourself in IF" SAVE MONEY A single flight hour costs hundreds of dollars. HSI Pro costs a fraction of that — once. Practice unlimited approaches and walk into your next checkride, sim session, or flight with confidence. PRIVACY HSI collects zero personal data. No accounts, no tracking. Just training. Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.

About

AvMath

Features
Read full description

AvMath is a mental math education and training tool for pilots to improve their mental math skills. Whether you are a student, private or commercial pilot you will learn rules of thumb and methods for quick calculations of speeds, distance, altitudes and time, then challenge yourself to train and improve applying these in realistic aviation scenarios. Every answer is explained in detail while you track your improvement with records and achievements and challenge yourself with increasing levels of difficulty. Learn common Rules of Thumb - Crosswind Component - One in Sixty - Density Altitude (inHg and hpa) - True Airspeed - Vertical Navigation - Drift Angle Apply in Real Aviation Scenarios - Crosswind - One in Sixty navigation - Enroute Wind - Fuel Planning - Vertical Navigation - True Airspeed - Density Altitude - Descent Planning - Quick Calculations - Trip Planning

Screenshots

HSI4 screens
AvMath4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: AvMath at daily against HSI's every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. HSI sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and AvMath sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HSI ships an update every 2 months, AvMath daily. The most recent releases landed on July 27, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
HSI versus AvMath: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHSIAvMath
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNATHAN STANKEVICIUSElemental Services Pty Ltd

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HSI

One-time1
  • Pro Upgrade$9.99
1 purchases

AvMath

One-time1
  • Premium Version$4.99

Questions

Is HSI free?
HSI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AvMath free?
AvMath is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HSI or AvMath have ads?
Neither HSI nor AvMath shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HSI or AvMath?
HSI ships an update every 2 months, and AvMath daily. Most recently, HSI was updated on July 27, 2026 and AvMath on June 1, 2026.

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