ICARUS vs QAOSH AviationSMS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ICARUS
This application works with a smart view-limiting hood to simulate low visibility conditions for pilot training. It allows trainees and instructors to control visual environments, enabling practice for various flight scenarios. The device uses modern materials to simulate challenging visual conditions safely.
- Simulates low visibility conditions
- Controls view-limiting hood
- Variable visual environment simulation
- VFR into IMC/IIMC simulation
- Instrument approach training
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The ICARUS app controls the ICARUS Device, a smart view-limiting hood which simulates low visibility conditions. ICARUS restricts a pilot's view outside the cockpit, and is capable of simulating varying levels of visual conditions, providing trainees and instructors with greater control over the visual environment. Innovative modern materials allow ICARUS to simulate VFR into IMC/IIMC, Marginal VMC and Instrument Approaches to minimums.
QAOSH AviationSMS
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SMS reports can be submitted while offline in remote areas and uploaded directly into the AviationSMS database when back online. * Short SMS Report: a quick and easy form to describe an event or suggestion. * Standard SMS Report: detail an event or suggestion with more background information. * Maintenance Report: for maintenance related events and capturing engineering details of defects. * Hazard Observation: describe operational hazards observed and outline risk controls that are in place.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: QAOSH AviationSMS at every 3 weeks against ICARUS's every 35 months. ICARUS's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.1). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ICARUS ships an update every 35 months, QAOSH AviationSMS every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ICARUS | QAOSH AviationSMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 35 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ICARUS Devices LLC | QAOSH AviationSMS |
In-app purchases
ICARUS
No in-app purchases
QAOSH AviationSMS
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ICARUS free?
Is QAOSH AviationSMS free?
Do ICARUS or QAOSH AviationSMS have ads?
Which is updated more often, ICARUS or QAOSH AviationSMS?
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